Viewed head-on, it's not immediately apparent that the Nissan Quest is any different than other minivans on the market. It has a big grill that bears a family resemblance to the sporty Maxima. Move slightly to the right or left, however, and it becomes apparent that the designers have tried hard to make the Quest look different from a traditional minivan. Gone are the slab sides and flat roof. Instead, the Quest gets bold fender flares that run along the sides with shoulders and curve up as the lines blend to the rear. The result is a vehicle with curvaceous character lines that does not look nearly as big as it is in reality. Part of this illusion is due to the long wheelbase with relatively short overhangs at front and rear that give it a sleek look.
The Nissan Quest has dual sliding side doors, as expected, but they are four inches longer than in any other minivan. This provides better access, especially to the third row of seats. Due to the hip design of the Quest, the slot for the door runners is in the middle of the bodywork rather than being disguised along the lower edge of the side windows as has become the norm. It's a design flaw in some people's eyes while others barely notice it.

Anyone who has ever owned a minivan will tell you that the most important aspect of the vehicle is the interior. Unlike SUVs, which are more often than not just used as a passenger car for carrying one or maybe two passengers, minivans get used for carrying kids and stuff. Flexibility is the key. Gradually, minivan designers have improved the versatility and ease in which the interior can be arranged.
Nissan has taken versatility to new levels with the Quest. The third row of seats can be lowered into a large carpeted well in the floor to provide loads of storage space with a flat floor. But in a new twist the two center-mounted captain's seats can also be lowered down almost flat with the floor to provide a space more than big enough for the proverbial sheet of plywood. There's no need to remove the seats, and one person can easily fold the seats down, useful for an impulsive stop at the home-improvement center. The seats feature an unusual design. Far less bulky than normal, they take on the appearance of airline seats when viewed from the side. These folding seats are part of the standard Seat Package.

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One of the most controversial design aspects of the Nissan Quest is the cockpit. The instrument cluster is centered on top of the dashboard instead of its usual location ahead of the steering wheel. This move has allowed the designers to make the top of the dashboard much lower for improved forward visibility and a feeling of spaciousness. A minor touch but one that can be appreciated is a small slot located ahead of the steering wheel for holding a photograph or map or notes. It's an ideal location for glancing at something important while driving, which is why the instruments are normally located there.
The climate and audio controls are located on top of an angled flat oval-shaped area that looks like the top of a barrel. It's a distinctive part of the design, but it is not quite as easy to operate the big knobs and buttons as in a normal location, at least for the driver. The screen for the optional navigation system is located in front of this in a pod alongside the gauges.