With safety in mind all models come with a standard tire pressure monitoring system, standard halogen headlights, dual front advanced airbags and side-impact curtain-type airbags, while front seat side-impact airbags are optional on SL and standard on SE models. Tamper-proof door lock key cylinders are also included, as is an engine immobilizer.
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| No other van comes close to the Quest's original and sporty design, which easily stands out from the competition. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
While safety considerations are absolutely important, most of the Nissan's competitors offer similar features. To get noticed in this hotly contested vertical you've got to be different, and the Quest definitely is. Don't worry, I'm not going to rattle on and on about its performance characteristics again, this time it's about styling. There's no other van that comes close to its design. Nissan has transformed the Quest's two-box architecture into an entirely original shape, sporty, low-slung and oh, so radical. Followers of the status quo don't even apply, because you'll get noticed in the Quest instead of blending into the shopping mall parking lot backdrop.
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| With its sharply creased angular form, edgy headlamp clusters and new bisected grille the 2004 Quest is a minivan with some serious style. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
Nissan has incorporated a variety of elemental brand styling cues, starting with the new bisected grille, that began life on the 2004 Maxima and has most recently also shown up on the updated 2004 Sentra. Its sharply creased, angular form goes well with the large, edgy headlamp clusters that meld seamlessly up and over the front fenders into a gently curving shoulder line. From rear view it seems too wide for a single lane, giving it a road hugging, athletic appearance. OK, it's still a minivan, but it has style.
Well, let me rephrase. While I'm a giant fan of the breed for their practical applications, I have to admit to a bit of a personal image thing. I know I'm not alone, as men and women alike have vocalized their distaste for vans in particular, a vehicle that for the most part makes the 30 and 40-something crowd feel old, frumpy and married with children, or in other words boring. Minivans are probably the single biggest reason for SUVs becoming so popular. Still, Canada's number one selling vehicle is a minivan, causing me to reflect that not all of us are so image conscious.