The interesting thing about the Quest is that despite its large size it doesn't feel cavernous. Instead Nissan has given it an intimate ambience, with rich materials, thoughtful features and refreshing, albeit slightly unorthodox interior styling. The most controversial is the centrally mounted gauge package. Personally I've never had a problem with this feature, also seen on cars as lowly as Toyota's subcompact Echo, and then again as revered as BMW's Z8. In the Quest all controls are smartly laid out and easy to read, with exception of the digital gas gauge that's a little on the small size.
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| The Quest has a smartly laid out centrally mounted gauge package, similar in placement to those found in the Toyota Echo and BMW Z8, with a large 6.3-inch information screen standard. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
To the right is a large 6.3-inch information screen, fairly easy to figure out with a little time spent while parked. The optional navigation system displays the maps in landscape view - as in all Nissan/Infiniti products - which I find to be easier to comprehend. More on this in a minute.
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| With comfortable door panel armrests, high-quality cloth or leather seats and plenty of storage, the interior of the Quest doesn't disappoint. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
Directly in front of the steering wheel is a handy lidded storage bin, useful for a wallet, credit cards or whatever you might deem necessary for quick access. I've never experienced wider, or more comfortable door panel armrests, a direct result of its class leading width. The seats, covered in high-quality cloth or attractive textured leather, the latter part of a leather package that also includes a 4-way power front passenger seat, are wonderfully comfortable and supportive, while visibility from all positions and in all directions is exemplary.
Getting in and out is easy too, thanks to large front door openings and the widest dual sliders available, the right hand side of which comes standard with power actuation on SL models, while both sides are powered in SE versions. A powered rear liftgate comes as part of the SE as well.