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2009 Nissan Quest Prices Jump Modestly
By 
Marty Padgett September 8th, 2008
Basking in the "Tuscan Sun"--the sole new exterior color for the 2009 Nissan Quest--just got a tad pricier. In addition to new automatic door locks and the aforementioned additional color, major changes to the minivan for '09 include an MSRP jump of $750 on the base Quest 3.5 to land at $25,950.
The Quest, redesigned for 2003, presented an avant-garde flavor for a minivan that's not caught on very well with the bulk of the market that seems to favor more traditionally styled minivans. Its low beltline and sedanlike character lines impressed design critics, but no one really loved its awkward center-pod instrumentation (a la Toyota Echo and Saturn Ion). Even fairly athletic handling and cool features like its SkyView panoramic sunroof haven't saved it from relative obscurity in the minivan marketplace.
The dashboard was relocated to the right place for 2007, but power ratings for the 3.5-liter V-6 remain at a middling 235 hp, curious for an engine that makes upward of 300 horses in other Nissan/Infiniti guises. With Chrysler taking the reigns for Nissan's upcoming Titan pickup (to be a reskinned Dodge Ram, essentially), we have to wonder if they might do the same thing Volkswagen has done with its new Routan (a reskinned Dodge Caravan). Is Nissan's quest for minivan dominance yet another case of too little, too late in a marketplace dominated by moms loyal to their Honda Odysseys and Toyota Siennas? Tell us in a comment below if you think Nissan should exit minivans completely, or hang it all on a big crossover a la GM.
The Quest, redesigned for 2003, presented an avant-garde flavor for a minivan that's not caught on very well with the bulk of the market that seems to favor more traditionally styled minivans. Its low beltline and sedanlike character lines impressed design critics, but no one really loved its awkward center-pod instrumentation (a la Toyota Echo and Saturn Ion). Even fairly athletic handling and cool features like its SkyView panoramic sunroof haven't saved it from relative obscurity in the minivan marketplace.
The dashboard was relocated to the right place for 2007, but power ratings for the 3.5-liter V-6 remain at a middling 235 hp, curious for an engine that makes upward of 300 horses in other Nissan/Infiniti guises. With Chrysler taking the reigns for Nissan's upcoming Titan pickup (to be a reskinned Dodge Ram, essentially), we have to wonder if they might do the same thing Volkswagen has done with its new Routan (a reskinned Dodge Caravan). Is Nissan's quest for minivan dominance yet another case of too little, too late in a marketplace dominated by moms loyal to their Honda Odysseys and Toyota Siennas? Tell us in a comment below if you think Nissan should exit minivans completely, or hang it all on a big crossover a la GM.
Rex Roy
Responses (5 total)
By Ed | Posted: Sep 8th 2008, 07:11:53 PM
I would not buy the ugly loser even if priced DROPPED, and not just modestly, but PRECIPITOUSLy.
By Bruce | Posted: Sep 22nd 2008, 07:19:49 PM
My wife and I love our 2005 Quest. It handles great, and we can't understand all the fuss about the location of the center pod. After just a few days, we actually liked it better there. We have already decided taht we will buy another Quest when the time comes over the Honda and the Toyota.
By Michelle | Posted: Oct 5th 2008, 05:47:46 AM
I was just in a very bad accident while driving my 2006 Quest. I should not have survived, but I actually walked away on my own with a few abrasions and bruises. I was already going to purchase a Quest when time to get a new one, but now there is no question. It will be a Quest all the way!
By Joy | Posted: Dec 2nd 2008, 03:06:31 AM
We love our 2007 Quest....it's a great van for the price...we've had several people tell us how cool it looks...my brother even told us the other day and he drives the over priced Honda van!
Quest
By Mark | Posted: Feb 2nd 2009, 09:00:31 PM
The Quest still uses the original version of Nissans 3.5 liter engine. It has not benefited by the newer tweaked 3.5 engines producing 300hp. Also of note, the Quest is still built on a Nissan Altima platform that lives under the previous generation Altima of 2002-2004 heritage.
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