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The New Nissan Quest Minivan
- By Meaghan Hayes
- Published 06/20/2008
- Automotive
- Unrated
Meaghan Hayes
I am the mom of a toddler, wife to a computer dude. I need an outlet... and I love to write. What a great combo!
View all articles by Meaghan Hayes
I purchased my 2007 Nissan Quest minivan, model S, back in August 2006. I had just had a baby and with all the traveling we do to/from grandparents' homes I thought a big car would be great for us. There are several advantages and disadvantages to having this van. If you're considering purchasing it, allow me to share with you some thoughts...
1. This past weekend we drove 385 miles each way to visit relatives. With gas at $4.09 a gallon, we really monitored our MPG. Surprisingly, even though we were driving WITH the wind, we averaged 31.3 miles per gallon on the way up. On the way home, with no wind and A/C, we averaged 27.8 MPG.
2. I do a lot of driving for work, in the city and on the highway. When I have the A/C on I average about 16 MPG. If I'm driving without A/C I can get about 19.
3. I love that the electronic system tells me my tire pressure, BUT there's no rhyme or reason to the display order. For example, the reading on the far right does not correlate specifically to any one tire. Its random based on whichever tire registers pressure first.
4. The placement of the gear shifter up on the dash is innovative in a minivan and I like it. But the angle of the dash displays (CD player, etc) is not conducive to being SEEN while driving during the day. If the sun is out, you will not be able to see which dash lights are lit up (is the A/C on or off?)
5. The seats in my can are not electronic, but they do move many different ways. I can obviously recline the seat, but I can also raise and lower the seat by halves-- the front half and back half. This allows me (with short legs) to reach the pedals more comfortably while my taller husband (with loooong legs) can adjust for himself.
6. The headrest is back far enough that a ponytail does not get quashed against it.
7. The vent placement SUCKS HORRIBLY. Ugh. As a woman who experiences hot flashes, and hates heat, this car is liable to get traded in this summer. The air pressure is equal to my cat's breath while sleeping, and only hitting "recirculate" makes it tolerable. Even then,
it's only tolerable by leaning my face into the vent for a good 5 minutes. The vent on the far right (driver's side) does angle down towards the runk of the body, but don't hope to cool off your legs. The vent on the dash angles aout as low as my cleavage (I am 5'5") and only as far over as the right breast. I had it inspeted... That's normal. So I stole the air vent from the seat behind me... The back vents are in the ceiling, which means the air is not circulated through the core, thus it is not A/C cold air. It's just regular non-chilled air. UGH.
8. The seats front to back are exceptionally wide and omfortable. When we travel with many people, everyone always comments on the comfort of the captain's chairs. Taller people prefer the captain's seats as there is a little more leg room (seats adjust backwards and forwards as well as recline) as they are also higher from the ground than the back seat. I like that the third row has head rests that can be individually lowered if proven to be a blind spot for me.
9. The console between the two front seats is a waste of space. In order to lower it, you have to take everything off of it. There are prongs in the 2 cup holders so that your drink is held in place firmly, but the prongs also mean friction and lots of noise from plastic against the cup. If its a water bottle..... squeek squeek squueeeeeek constantly. Don't particularly like it, and would rather use a box, but its not removeable.
10. Lots of 12v plug-ins. Can charge 2 phones at once in the front, plus power a CD player in the back by the third row seat.
11. The stop reflex of the automatic door leaves a lot to be desired. It had to puch my 185 pound body a good 4 inches before it registered a barrier and swungback open. My kid weighs 20 pounds, so would she have been squished first? I thought this was a selling feature?
Overall, despite my many compaints, I do like having a van. Mine came equipped with a 6-disc in-dash CD player and a DVD entertainment system. I have hit the 37,000 mile mark already and will continue to drive this vehicle as my primary mode of transportation. The gas mileage is not great, but when you're carrying 3 passengers AND equipment... it's good. Plus, it can tow u to 3500 pounds! Happy car-hunting!
1. This past weekend we drove 385 miles each way to visit relatives. With gas at $4.09 a gallon, we really monitored our MPG. Surprisingly, even though we were driving WITH the wind, we averaged 31.3 miles per gallon on the way up. On the way home, with no wind and A/C, we averaged 27.8 MPG.
2. I do a lot of driving for work, in the city and on the highway. When I have the A/C on I average about 16 MPG. If I'm driving without A/C I can get about 19.
3. I love that the electronic system tells me my tire pressure, BUT there's no rhyme or reason to the display order. For example, the reading on the far right does not correlate specifically to any one tire. Its random based on whichever tire registers pressure first.
4. The placement of the gear shifter up on the dash is innovative in a minivan and I like it. But the angle of the dash displays (CD player, etc) is not conducive to being SEEN while driving during the day. If the sun is out, you will not be able to see which dash lights are lit up (is the A/C on or off?)
5. The seats in my can are not electronic, but they do move many different ways. I can obviously recline the seat, but I can also raise and lower the seat by halves-- the front half and back half. This allows me (with short legs) to reach the pedals more comfortably while my taller husband (with loooong legs) can adjust for himself.
6. The headrest is back far enough that a ponytail does not get quashed against it.
7. The vent placement SUCKS HORRIBLY. Ugh. As a woman who experiences hot flashes, and hates heat, this car is liable to get traded in this summer. The air pressure is equal to my cat's breath while sleeping, and only hitting "recirculate" makes it tolerable. Even then,
8. The seats front to back are exceptionally wide and omfortable. When we travel with many people, everyone always comments on the comfort of the captain's chairs. Taller people prefer the captain's seats as there is a little more leg room (seats adjust backwards and forwards as well as recline) as they are also higher from the ground than the back seat. I like that the third row has head rests that can be individually lowered if proven to be a blind spot for me.
9. The console between the two front seats is a waste of space. In order to lower it, you have to take everything off of it. There are prongs in the 2 cup holders so that your drink is held in place firmly, but the prongs also mean friction and lots of noise from plastic against the cup. If its a water bottle..... squeek squeek squueeeeeek constantly. Don't particularly like it, and would rather use a box, but its not removeable.
10. Lots of 12v plug-ins. Can charge 2 phones at once in the front, plus power a CD player in the back by the third row seat.
11. The stop reflex of the automatic door leaves a lot to be desired. It had to puch my 185 pound body a good 4 inches before it registered a barrier and swungback open. My kid weighs 20 pounds, so would she have been squished first? I thought this was a selling feature?
Overall, despite my many compaints, I do like having a van. Mine came equipped with a 6-disc in-dash CD player and a DVD entertainment system. I have hit the 37,000 mile mark already and will continue to drive this vehicle as my primary mode of transportation. The gas mileage is not great, but when you're carrying 3 passengers AND equipment... it's good. Plus, it can tow u to 3500 pounds! Happy car-hunting!