MotorMouths

The Quest doesn’t break much new ground, but it offers a stylish, at times luxurious alternative to the rest of the market. It doesn’t fall far behind any minivan on sale today.

Minivans need to be awesome, plus 10%. Is the new Nissan Quest? Not quite. Still, Nissan has taken an interesting turn with the redesigned Quest.

The 2011 Quest has embraced its “minivan-ness” and focuses on the occupants to the point of pampering. It may not be perfect, but it’s certainly worth considering if you’re shopping for a premium minivan.

The Quest has finally achieved the normalcy that should enable it to grab a decent slice of the minivan market.

Improvements made to the redesigned 2011 Nissan Quest go a long way toward making it competitive with the front runners in the minivan segment.

If passenger comfort and overall refinement are key metrics in your minivan search, the 2012 Nissan Quest is well worth consideration.

The new Nissan Quest is a refreshing dose of minivan moxie. Sure, it still lags behind the competition in some respects — it’s not the quickest, most fuel efficient, or the most cavernous. But as an overall package, it is impressive.

Perhaps the Quest will find its own comfortable niche within the minivan segment. The vehicle is well-suited for older buyers, thanks to its comfy bucket seats and easy second-row access. And it is a good value: power everything and yes, the DVD system.

Since style, performance and status aren’t on the minivan shopping list, they have to shine in less glamorous areas: safety, utility, and options. Here the 2011 Quest is smartly competitive.

The new Quest LE comes through with more space, stuff and power. But it still has a way to go in the mileage marathon, and it’s no easy piece of work when it comes to driving.

Though the Quest may not be the most practical, in terms of pure opulence it’s a step above the competition. The mid-level Quest feels more luxurious than the top Honda Odyssey. It’s cushy cabin and refined ride make it the minivan I’d most like to spend time in.

The 2011 Quest’s styling was off-putting. The front appears tapered, stylish. But the upright, overly festooned rear seemed a mismatch. Overall, better than its predecessor, but perhaps not the bull’s-eye Nissan wants.