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2008 Nissan Quest Bottom Line

November 7, 2008

By Marty Padgett's avatar Marty Padgett, Executive EditorMarty Padgett

TheCarConnection.com's family-van experts researched a wide range of road tests of the 2008 Nissan Quest to put together this conclusive review. TheCarConnection.com's resident moms and dads also drove the Nissan Quest to help you decide which reviews to trust where opinions differ, to add more impressions and details, and to provide you with the best information.

Likes:

  • Foldaway seating
  • Un-minivan looks
  • Torquey V-6 engine

Dislikes:

  • Interior doesn’t match exterior
  • Still some plasticky trim inside

Buying Tips:


The 2008 Nissan Quest has never reached the sales heights of a Honda Odyssey or Dodge Grand Caravan. Reliability has improved over the earliest versions, and with discounts, the Quest can be a great alternative to the more popular Odyssey.

The 2008 Nissan Quest is the latest version of a minivan that was designed from the outset to be unlike other minivans. Nissan's plan was to make the minivan sexy--and the original Quest certainly looked different; to most eyes, it still looks good. The interior has been another story--owners and car reviewers have complained about the Quest's plasticky interior, so for 2008, it's been improved. By outfitting the 2008 Quest with a new instrument panel and center console, Nissan's cleaned up the most egregious portions of the interior. Along with new front and rear-end treatments, the Quest has a cleaner, less awkward apperance than before--but the faux-wood trim inside and more traditional shapes no longer look right with the sloping front and rear ends.

For power, the 2008 Nissan Quest sticks with a 240-horsepower version of the same 3.5-liter, DOHC V-6 used in both the Maxima and Altima sedans; here, it's tied to a standard five-speed automatic. The big V-6 provides ample torque, giving the large Quest confident acceleration and passing power. Fuel economy is 16/24 mpg.

The 2008 Quest is one of the roomiest front-wheel-drive minivans on the market. The second- and third-row seats fold flat into the floor, creating a large 148.7-cubic-foot cargo area. This year, the third-row seat also gets automatically folding headrests and a spring assist that make it easier to tuck away. It's difficult to ask more of a minivan, and yet the 2008 Nissan Quest also handles well for a vehicle so large.

All 2008 Nissan Quests have anti-lock brakes, front and curtain airbags, and tire-pressure monitors as well as active head restraints. Side airbags are now standard on all Quests. The minivan scores five-star safety from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), along with four-star rollover resistance and "good" ratings for front and side protection from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

Four models are offered, and the standard vehicle gets power features plus the five-speed automatic. Upscale editions have a standard power sliding side door, a rearview camera, dual-zone climate control, Bluetooth, and XM Satellite Radio.

Other Choices:

:

Reason Why:

Minivans are shrinking in sales but growing in luxury. The new Dodge Grand Caravan has all sorts of convenient storage and seating options, plus enough DVD players for a mini-theater. The Honda Odyssey has its famed Magic Seat and a silky powertrain, while the Toyota Sienna has good performance, plus a version for disabled passengers. The Kia Sedona and its twin, the Hyundai Entourage, have nearly matched the best sellers in the class with strong V-6 power and flexible interior seating, though available features lag somewhat.

- Honda Odyssey
- Toyota Sienna
- Kia Sedona

The Bottom Line:

The 2008 Nissan Quest does everything a minivan should -- carries seven, has a flexible cargo area and gets good fuel economy -- and looks appealing, too.

TheCarConnection.com's family-van experts researched a wide range of road tests of the 2008 Nissan Quest to put together this conclusive review. TheCarConnection.com's resident moms and dads also drove the Nissan Quest to help you decide which reviews to trust where opinions differ, to add more impressions and details, and to provide you with the best information. Likes:Foldaway seatingUn-minivan looksTorquey V-6 engineDislikes:Interior doesn’t match exteriorStill some plasticky trim insideBuying Tips: The 2008 Nissan Quest has never reached the sales heights of a Honda Odyssey or Dodge Grand Caravan. Reliability has improved over the earliest versions, and with discounts, the Quest can be a great alternative to the more popular Odyssey. The 2008 Nissan Quest is the latest version of a minivan that was designed from the outset to be unlike other minivans. Nissan's plan was to make the minivan sexy--and the original Quest certainly looked different; to most eyes, it still looks good. The interior has been another story--owners and car reviewers have complained about the Quest's plasticky interior, so for 2008, it's been improved. By outfitting the 2008 Quest with a new instrument panel and center console, Nissan's cleaned up the most egregious portions of the interior. Along with new front and rear-end treatments, the Quest has a cleaner, less awkward apperance than before--but the faux-wood trim inside and more traditional shapes no longer look right with the sloping front and rear ends. For power, the 2008 Nissan Quest sticks with a 240-horsepower version of the same 3.5-liter, DOHC V-6 used in both the Maxima and Altima sedans; here, it's tied to a standard five-speed automatic. The big V-6 provides ample torque, giving the large Quest confident acceleration and passing power. Fuel economy is 16/24 mpg. The 2008 Quest is one of the roomiest front-wheel-drive minivans on the market. The second- and third-row seats fold flat into the floor, creating a large 148.7-cubic-foot cargo area. This year, the third-row seat also gets automatically folding headrests and a spring assist that make it easier to tuck away. It's difficult to ask more of a minivan, and yet the 2008 Nissan Quest also handles well for a vehicle so large. All 2008 Nissan Quests have anti-lock brakes, front and curtain airbags, and tire-pressure monitors as well as active head restraints. Side airbags are now standard on all Quests. The minivan scores five-star safety from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), along with four-star rollover resistance and "good" ratings for front and side protection from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Four models are offered, and the standard vehicle gets power features plus the five-speed automatic. Upscale editions have a standard power sliding side door, a rearview camera, dual-zone climate control, Bluetooth, and XM Satellite Radio. Other Choices::If you like the 2008 Nissan Quest, also consider:- Dodge Grand CaravanReason Why:Minivans are shrinking in sales but growing in luxury. The new Dodge Grand Caravan has all sorts of convenient storage and seating options, plus enough DVD players for a mini-theater. The Honda Odyssey has its famed Magic Seat and a silky powertrain, while the Toyota Sienna has good performance, plus a version for disabled passengers. The Kia Sedona and its twin, the Hyundai Entourage, have nearly matched the best sellers in the class with strong V-6 power and flexible interior seating, though available features lag somewhat. - Honda Odyssey - Toyota Sienna - Kia Sedona The Bottom Line:The 2008 Nissan Quest does everything a minivan should -- carries seven, has a flexible cargo area and gets good fuel economy -- and looks appealing, too. TheCarConnection.com's family-van experts researched a wide range of road tests of the 2008 Nissan Quest to put together this conclusive review. TheCarConnection.com's resident moms and dads also drove the Nissan Quest to help you decide which reviews to trust where opinions differ, to add ...

Other Choices:

Minivans are shrinking in sales but growing in luxury. The new Dodge Grand Caravan has all sorts of convenient storage and seating options, plus enough DVD players for a mini-theater. The Honda Odyssey has its famed Magic Seat and a silky powertrain, while the Toyota Sienna has good performance, plus a version for disabled passengers. The Kia Sedona and its twin, the Hyundai Entourage, have nearly matched the best sellers in the class with strong V-6 power and flexible interior seating, though available features lag somewhat.

Next Steps:

Check Insurance Rates

for the 2008 Nissan Quest

Check Financing Rates

for the 2008 Nissan Quest

Check Local Classifieds

for a 2008 Nissan Quest near you

See the Nissan Quest in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997

Comments (2 total)

  1. By David Murdock #1, Posted: 9/20/2008

    Mr

    The owners manual specifies 87 octane for the 2008 Quest, not premium.

  2. By Mark #2, Posted: 12/15/2008

    Love our 04 Quest SE

    We have 65k on our 04 Quest SE and we still love it. I'm sure we'll buy a 2010 when they begin phasing them out that year as rumored.

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