The cabin is far from typical. And while it may not be to everyone's taste, it's innovative and useful. The interior dimensions are enormous, making the Quest feel incredibly roomy. Interior materials are quite nice. Nissan has come a long way in this regard. Most of the materials are soft to the touch, and everything fits together well.
A rounded pod finished in a soft black material juts from the center of the dash housing the climate and audio controls and the shifter, bringing them closer to the driver. The buttons and knobs for the climate controls are large and easy to operate. The remaining controls take some acclimation, however. The radio uses A, B, and C presets instead of dedicated AM, FM, and satellite presets, and the Seek button is obscured by the shifter when in Drive.
XM and Sirius satellite radio are available, which offer high-quality sound just about anywhere in the U.S. News hounds can follow the latest stories on Fox News or CNN with no need to change stations on a cross country trip. The Radio Data System, or RDS, identifies programming on the radio's display, making it easier to find what you want.
The navigation system is a pleasure to use. Its screen is located high up on the center of the dash. (The gauges lives here on previous models, but Nissan moved them to the traditional position for 2007.) The navigation system offers a three-dimensional bird's eye viewing angle as well as the standard straight overhead angle, good for wowing your friends.
The steering wheel of SL and SE models has illuminated controls for the audio system, and there are remote driver's door-mounted switches for models equipped with the power rear windows. Small-items storage is generous, with a large center console and a cubby at the bottom of the center pod.
The SkyView roof features a pair of long, rectangular glass panels that appear from the inside as four glass panels over the rear seats. The glass panels cannot be opened or removed but can be covered by a sliding blind. They help make the rear seating area less claustrophobic by letting passengers see trees, airplanes and mountain tops, adding to the airiness of the spacious cabin. Nissan chose opaque shades to slide over the glass panels, much better for blocking unwanted sunlight than the mesh covers used by some manufacturers. The SkyView package comes with a traditional power glass moonroof between driver and front passenger. It's a neat feature, fun for the kids and when the adults are out for an evening on the town.
When equipped with the central roof console and DVD entertainment system, the second-row seats make you feel like you're seated in a first-class Learjet. A DVD entertainment system with two monitors is available for SE models. DVD controls are located in the headliner, as are rear air-conditioning controls.
Rearward visibility is good using the rearview mirror and cleverly shaped outside mirrors. The available sonar back-up system helps with parking and can help avoid small children, pets or tricycles below the line of vision.
The seats are an unusual design. Far less bulky than normal, they look like airline seats when viewed from the side. While there is plenty of head and leg room, and the SL's standard adjustable pedals make it easy to find a natural seating position, we felt the front seatbacks were too hard.
The second-row captain's chairs are a popular option and, in spite of their spartan appearance, are very comfortable and supportive. The armrests are positioned at a comfortable angle on both sides of each seat. These seats fold flat and flip forward to provide access to the third row, and there is a center walkthrough as well. The flip-and-fold procedure can be done with one hand, but it isn't as easy as in some minivans and the seats don't fold into the floor or tilt far enough forward to provide optimal cargo room.
The third-row seats are among the most comfortable we've experienced in any vehicle, and among the very few suitable for two adults. The third-row seatbacks recline for added comfort, and there's a decent amount of leg room. We found them roomier and more comfortable than those in the Toyota Sienna, for example, and getting in and out of the third row was relatively easy. Big grab handles mounted cleverly on the B-pillars should assist those of diminutive stature when getting into the Quest.
Cargo room is very flexible. A deep, carpeted well behind the third row provides useful space for sports equipment or groceries. The third-row seats can be lowered into the floor well in a simple two-step process, creating a flat floor and lots of cargo space. With the third row down and the second row folded flat, there is 148.7 cubic feet of cargo space, making it one of the roomiest minivans. That means plenty of room for 4x8 sheets of plywood.
