When it comes to powerful and respected figures in the auto industry, Carlos Ghosn is a man who ranks near the top. But, even under his steadfast leadership, Nissan has made a few missteps, the most obvious being the 2004 Quest minivan. As one company executive so clearly stated, Nissan is a company that likes to push the envelope, even sometimes beyond the limits. A prime example is Nissan’s current van, which has been largely panned for its too-futuristic dash with its center gauge cluster and questionable ergonomics, and the very un-Nissan trait of poor build quality. Those are just two of the countless points addressed and corrected in the 2007 Quest, a ride that desperately needed this mid-cycle working over.

During the vehicle’s debut at the 2006 Chicago Auto Show, Nissan engineers focused a great deal on the issue of quality, describing the significant time and effort that went into reevaluating every aspect of the Quest, the result of which is what they claim to be a much improved minivan. The exterior features a new grille, smoked headlights, revised taillights, updated wheels, and chrome accents. But it’s the interior that gets the nod for the Huge Improvement award. That funky center gauge cluster, the one that turned off so many prospective buyers, has been relocated to its traditional home behind the steering wheel, the center instrument panel has been redesigned for improved ergonomics and includes new buttons with a more pleasant feel, new fake light wood or metallic trim is available, all interior panels have been reworked for better fit and finish, and the fold-away third row seat is spring-loaded for easy one-handed operation with automatic folding headrests.

Four trims will be offered – 3.5, 3.5 S, 3.5 SL, 3.5 SE – when the 2007 Nissan Quest goes on sale this spring, all of which are powered by a 240-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 mated to a five-speed automatic transmission. Pricing has not been announced.

Photo by Ron Perry