Your watching a WheelsTV Top200 new vehicle test drive on the 2006 Nissan Quest.
The Nissan Quest carves out its own corner of the minivan firmament by taking on a unique personality and several departures from the routine.
For instance, the Quest offers the widest opening rear sliding doors in the category, as well as flat-folding second and third row seats-a must have for those who'll be trucking large families from place to place.
The 2006 Quest, a carryover design from 2005 shown here, comes in 4 trim levels: 3.5 base, 3.5 S Special Edition, 3.5 SL and 3.5 SE. The list of available features for each trim level is rather extensive and the top-of-the-line SE package includes a host of optional temptations from a complete DVD entertainment unit to a 10-speaker Bose audio sound system.
Power comes from a 3.5 liter, 240 horsepower V6 in all Quest trim levels, but there are two transmissions in the mix. There's a four speed automatic on the 3.5 base models and a 5-speed automatic on all the others. Mileage is rated by the EPA at 19 miles per gallon city, 26 highway with the four speed transmission and slightly less with the 5-speed, thanks to the difference in gear ratios.
One of the unconventional features of the Quest is the center mounted instrument cluster, which sits below a 6.3 inch informational display screen. There's also an overhead console for front seat occupants and a rear overhead console is optional.
Every Quest comes with four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes. Full-length side-curtain airbags, brake assist, electronic brake force distribution, and traction control are all standard on the Quest. An electronic stability control comes standard on the SE models along with side-impact airbags for the front seats. Those airbags are optional on the mid-level SL.
The MSRP of the 2006 Nissan Quest in the base trim is $24,150. The base price of the Quest in the SE level is $33,650.
The Nissan Quest blazes its own trail in the ultra-competitive minivan marketplace, and if in your mind, different means good, the Nissan Quest just might touch the side of you that rejects the business as usual approach.