SUVs have gained popularity in recent years because of their versatility and more ample dimensions compared to smaller cars. Nissan is known for manufacturing a few great SUVs, like the Rogue and Pathfinder. Nissan vehicles are also known for their exceptional reliability ratings from Consumer Reports.

Additionally, Nissan was responsible for the Quest minivan. While it was generally liked by critics and consumers, minivans have definitely become overshadowed by their SUV rivals. That’s what ultimately led to its death, but the Nissan Quest is still a great family vehicle.

The Nissan Quest was “the family limo”

The Nissan Quest can sit up to seven riders on either cloth or leather upholstery. Each row can comfortably accommodate adult passengers and sliding second-row seats provide easy access to the third row. It’s a little skimpy on cargo space, only 26 cubic feet of space with all the seats in use.

Standard infotainment is also limited, but the higher trims have Bluetooth, touchscreen displays, and a DVD player for passengers to enjoy. Unfortunately, it doesn’t come with any standard safety features and its crash tests were poor compared to other minivans. A rearview camera, enhanced fog lights, and blind-spot monitors were optional equipment.

Under the hood, the Nissan Quest has a 3.5-liter V6 capable of 260 hp, paired with a CVT. It was the most fuel-efficient minivan in 2016, rated for 23 mpg combined city/highway. Edmunds was pleased with the Quest’s whisper-quiet cabin and a suspension that successfully muted every road imperfection.

Even though the Nissan Quest was a good minivan, its sales figures had been declining for years. SUVs were getting more popular and demand for these vehicles eclipsed that of any minivan. After the 2016 model year, the Nissan Quest was finally killed off.

Which automakers make minivans in 2021?

While not as populated as the SUV segment, there are still some great new minivans on the market. The Honda Odyssey is one of the most highly-rated minivans for 2021 thanks to its upscale interior and an impressive amount of cargo space. For the latest model year, many safety features that were previously optional are now standard equipment.

The Toyota Sienna is also a popular option, now with a hybrid version for 2021. The Kia Sedona is currently the cheapest new minivan you can buy, but it’s a little short on cargo space. The Chrysler Pacifica is a little more expensive, but it has a perfect predicted reliability rating from Consumer Reports.

Nissan’s other family haulers

The Nissan Pathfinder isn’t exactly a minivan, but many people consider it to be one anyway. It has the same chassis as the Nissan Quest, so its suspension can handle uneven pavement just as well. It can also seat up to seven passengers, but the third row is noticeably smaller compared to the Quest.

The interior itself also looks similar to the Quest, but that’s not necessarily a perk. The Pathfinder’s cabin has received little change over the years, so it feels outdated. The infotainment system is also desperately in need of an update.

Another Nissan SUV that you might want to avoid is the Armada. While it has a powerful engine, it lacks the smooth ride quality of its other siblings and has terrible gas mileage. If your family can fit inside a compact SUV, the Nissan Rogue is a better buy.

It’s more expensive than its rivals, but it got a complete redesign for 2021. This includes a freshly updated interior and a new exterior design reminiscent of the old-school Nissan Pathfinder. It’s a shame the Nissan Quest didn’t survive, but Nissan’s SUVs are just as good.