2009 Nissan Quest

The Nissan Quest remained relatively unchanged for 2009 and only benefited from the standard addition of speed-sensitive power door locks.

The Nissan Quest minivan comes in four different trims. The base 3.5 model comes with 16-inch steel wheels. The next model up, the 3.5 S, has a right-side power-sliding door, power rear vent windows, and a power liftgate. The 3.5 SL offers alloy wheels, power-sliding doors on both sides, and heated side mirrors. The top of the range model, the 3.5 SE, features 17-inch alloy wheels, a sunroof, and foglights.

The interior of the Quest offers plenty of space, especially in the top of the range SE model, which benefits from roof-mounted glass panels over the second and third rows of seats. This makes it feel exceptionally airy. However, it offers limited luggage space compared to similar models, and the seating configuration is less flexible.

The entry-level model, the 3.5, comes with single-zone air-conditioning, cruise control, keyless entry, and an eight-speaker audio system with a CD player and an auxiliary audio jack. The 3.5 S trim includes steering wheel audio controls, while the 3.5 SL comes with rear park assist, an LCD monitor with a back-up camera, a power driver’s seat, a six-CD changer with MP3 capability, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, power adjustable pedals, and rear audio controls. The top-of-the-line 3.5 SE model includes leather upholstery with heated front seats, driver seat memory, a power front passenger seat, Bluetooth, a 10-speaker Bose audio system with satellite radio, and a full-length overhead console. Buyers can purchase most of these features for the SL model.

The Nissan Quest doesn't include any rear seats, so consumers must choose a seat package regardless of the trim. Options include second row captain's chairs and a flat-folding third row bench seat. You can also opt for a fixed front row center console and a navigation system, and Nissan offers a rear entertainment system. While the three lower trims have a single LCD screen, the SE comes with separate monitors for both the second and third rows.

The Nissan Quest feels very capable on the road and certainly has a large enough engine for its size. It handles itself well and responds even when turning corners. It's a pleasure to drive in comparison with most minivans. However, some of the other minivans have a better ride quality.

The Quest comes equipped with front-seat side airbags, full-length side curtain airbags, traction control, anti-lock disc brakes (ABS) with brake assist, and front seat active head restraints as standards on all models. The SE trim has stability control, but this cannot be added to any of the other models. Government crash tests give it a perfect five-star rating, and it also achieves the highest score possible from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety for both front- and side-impact crash testing.

• Roomy interior
• Excellent safety
• Good handling

• Lack of cargo space
• Lack of flexibility over seating

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