2004 Nissan Quest Sl

Head Office: CAA-Quebec 444 Bouvier Street Québec, QC G2J 1E3 2004 NISSAN QUEST SL The new extended-model Quest has little in common with the model it replaces. It is bigger in all respects and is equipped with a much more powerful engine, the omnipresent 3.5-litre V6. The Quest is available in S, SL and SE trim. Interior and cargo area The front seats are easy to enter and exit, and very comfortable. The fact that the pedals can be adjusted (with the transmission in Park) makes it easy to find a very good driving position. There is ample headroom and leg room for people of practically all sizes. There is not much room between the B-pillar and the base of the front-row rear seats, making it easier to get in than out. The seats are comfortable, and you can lower the seatback or fold the seat to obtain a relatively flat floor. Folding the seat requires removing the headrest or sliding the front seat forward. The second-row bench is relatively easy to reach, too, but the seatback angle makes it uncomfortable, and headroom is tight for tall individuals. The seat can be folded flat to the floor after removing the three head restraints. However, it is heavy and hard to pull back up. When manipulating the seat, if the bumper is dirty, you’ll get dirty, too. There is a fairly deep space between the two rows of seats when they are folded down, so you cannot obtain a perfectly flat floor. The anchor points that are uncovered when the back bench is folded could injure an animal or damage cargo. The floor not being completely flat, no anchor points for a vertical net, head restraints that have to be removed and a heavy last-row bench with exposed anchor points reduce the versatility of the Quest, even though the cargo area is roomy. It should be remarked that several other competing vehicles that are smaller on the outside actually offer as much or more space inside. Pictures: www.nissan.ca Convenience and safety Finish inside the cabin is perfectible, and certain materials look cheap, including console controls. Soundproofing is good but wind noise, creaks and rattles are audible at times. Front storage space is at a premium since the Quest does not have the big front bin found in many competing vehicles. It takes a bit of time to get used to the centre console instruments and controls; you often have to take your eyes of the road to read the gauges and use the controls. The speedometer and trip odometer figures are a bit small, and the computer cannot display several functions at the same time: you have to make a choice. The heater works quickly and efficiently. The CD player is low and a bit hard to access. The Quest is equipped with dual front air bags, two side air bags (but not in S-trim), and two inflatable curtains. All seven head restraints lock in place, but the restraints on the last bench seat do not adjust high enough. As for visibility, the headlights are bright, but the top of the dash reflects off the windshield and the wide A- and B-pillars may get in the line of sight of some drivers. Engine and transmission The 3.5-litre V6 feeds 240 hp and 242 lb-ft of torque to the front wheels for effortless launch and passing acceleration. The engine is amply capable of powering the vehicle safely, even when fully loaded. The price to pay for such generous power, of course, is relatively poor fuel economy. Fortunately, this V6 meets LEV “Low Emission Vehicle” standards. The four-speed automatic transmission is smooth but can shift abruptly and cause the engine to pause when accelerating. At other times, it is slow or hesitates. Only the SE version is equipped with a five-speed automatic whereas several competing vehicle offer a five-speed in all versions. On the road The fully independent suspension is firm yet compliant and provides a very smooth ride over all surfaces. Rough spots are readily absorbed, with no harsh reaction. Road holding is very good for this type of vehicle. The power steering is heavy at low speed, which is unpleasant for parking, but well weighted at other speeds. Steering is stable, precise and reasonably quick, with some road feel. The turning circle is quite short for such a long wheelbase. Braking is good in all conditions. An inspection at the CAA-Quebec inspection centre confirmed that the engine compartment is well laid out but that a lot of dirt gets inside. The underside is well designed, but the fuel tank filler pipe and rear heating ducts are poorly shielded. Conclusion The new Quest is clearly superior to the former model in every way. Nissan wanted to innovate with the Quest, which explains its lines and the centred instruments and controls. However, most minivans are purchased for practical reasons, and in this respect the lack of front storage or a flat floor as well as the relatively hard-to-maneuvre seats may be off-putting for many buyers. STRONG POINTS WEAK POINTS Roominess Floor not flat Lively engine Reflections in windshield Smooth ride Heavy rear bench Road holding Lack of front storage space Comfortable seating (2 front rows) Perfectible transmission Generous standard equipment Central console to be improved 2004 NISSAN QUEST Engine: 24-valve, 3.5-litre V6 Horsepower: 240 hp @ 5800 rpm Torque: 242 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm Transmission: 4- or 5-speed automatic Suspension: fully independent Brakes: 4-wheel disc Length: 518.5 cm Width: 197.1 cm Height: 177.8 cm Wheelbase: 315 cm Weight: 1,814 to 1,886 kg Tires: P225/65R16; P225/60R17 Towing capacity: 1,558 kg Air bags: standard front; 2 side (except S); 2 inflatable curtains Fuel consumption with 4-speed transmission: − Transport Canada rating: city: 12.4 L/100 km (23 mpg); highway: 8.2 L/100 km (34 mpg) − Test result: 13.5 L/100 (21 mpg) Fuel tank capacity: 76 litres Acceleration: 0-100 km/h: 8.4 seconds 60-100 km/h: 6.2 seconds Competition: Chevrolet Venture, Chrysler Town & Country, Dodge Grand Caravan, Ford Freestar, Oldsmobile Silhouette, Pontiac Montana, Toyota Sienna Warranty: − Full basic coverage: 3 years/60,000 km − Powertrain: 5 years/100,000 km − Surface corrosion: 3 years/60,000 − Perforation damage: 5 years/unlimited mileage − Emissions control system: 3 years/60,000 km (full coverage); 8 years/130,000 km (catalytic converter, electronic control module and onboard diagnostic devicd Factory replacement parts: Rear bumper: $774 Front brake disk: $105 Brake pads: $103 Muffler: $150 Front fender: $275 Average insurance premium (Quebec City, replacement cost endorsement, claim-free insurance record, female driver or male driver 30 to 40 years old): $888 to $1,269 Price according to trim line: S: $32,900 SL: $36,600 SE: $43,400 Main options: Option packages: $1,800 to $5,400 Price as tested: $38,400 Freight and preparation: $995 Dealers: Quebec: 53; Canada: 146 CAA-Quebec, February 2004. .

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