It isn't just that the Nissan Quest looks better for 2001; it also rides and handles better, stops easier and quieter, provides numerous interior enhancements and offers a rear-seat, video-entertainment system that will significantly add to its appeal for upscale minivan buyers.
"These improvements complement Quest's already impressive list of standard creature comforts," says Ian Forsyth, Nissan Canada Inc.'s director of marketing. "They will help energize its appeal to upscale minivan intenders, looking for the best in minivan convenience and cool."
Quest's new, more aggressive appearance is due to a redesigned facia with body-coloured grille replacing the previous chrome grille and new headlight, taillight and rear bumper treatment.
Its improved handling and ride are the result of new sophisticated front shock absorbers with Monroe's exclusive Acceleration Sensitive Damping (ASD), new, larger front and rear stabilizer bars and reinforced strut towers. Upgraded 16-inch alloy wheels are added to the SE.
New material is used in the brake pads to reduce noise, and there's a 14-percent improvement in braking force - for each pound of 'foot' force applied, eight pounds of braking force is applied at the wheel, up from seven pounds on previous Quests.
New items to enhance driver/passenger comfort and convenience include new gauge layout for easier viewing, steering-wheel-mounted cruise control switch, deeper cupholders and upgraded cloth seat fabric. In addition, leather-trimmed models now feature heated driver and passenger seats, an imported minivan first.
New standard safety items include ISO-FIX child seat anchor bars, now called the LATCH system (Lower Anchor and Tether for Children), and front seat belt pretensioners with load limiters.
The factory-installed Family Entertainment System - part of the volume-selling Convenience & Family Entertainment System Package - features a ceiling-mounted 6.4-inch LCD (liquid crystal display) screen with a removable video cassette recorder that is video-game compatible.
"With the Family Entertainment System's dual media audio control, the kids can be playing Pokemon while mom and dad listen to the Stones," says Forsyth.
The 2001 Quest is offered in two models, the GXE for the budget conscious and the SE for those who prefer more performance and luxury.
A spunky 170-horsepower 3.3-litre SOHC V6 powers the front-wheel-drive Quest. A 4-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is standard.
All Quests are equipped with power front disc, rear drum brakes with a 4-wheel Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), power rack and pinion steering, dual sliding doors, roof rack and "Quest Trac" 7-passenger flexible seating system.
Standard safety equipment includes dual "second generation" front airbags, child safety rear door locks, 3-point outboard belts in the rear seat, impact controlling front crumple zones and panel creases, side-impact beams and front-seat knee bolsters.
In addition to its generous standard equipment list, Quest GXE can be ordered with the new Convenience and Family Entertainment System Package and a Child Seat Package that includes second row bench seat with integrated child safety belts, machine-washable seat cushions and fixed headrests.
A host of upgraded equipment is included as standard on SE, including automatic climate control with particle/odour air-filtering system. Quest SE can be ordered with a Leather Package or a Leather and Sunroof Package.