2012 Nissan Quest

There is a feeling of solidity and fluidity to the vehicle utterly absent in the smaller Ford-built Quest that preceded it.

Our five-speed Quest 3.5SE ran to 60 mph in 8.2 seconds and through the quarter in 16.5 at 85 mph. That's 0.3 or 0.4 second slower than the Sienna, and the Odyssey is a few 10ths quicker still.

All interior materials look and feel upscale, and they all match or coordinate perfectly in terms of grain, sheen, and color.

Nimbleness and agility don't come naturally to vehicles with that much inertia, and the extra weight snuffs out any power advantage that Z-motor might appear to have on paper.

It's in the vast middle ground between different and ugly.

It's a minivan for minivan-haters.

Inside, the Quest provides seating for seven passengers (note that Toyota's new Sienna has an eight-passenger configuration).

For starters, it claims the widest opening rear sliding doors, as well as flat-folding seats for both the second and third rows -- a segment 'must-have' these days.

Although it's a departure from the traditional bread boxes one often sees lined up in front of elementary schools in the afternoon, whether the Quest really qualifies as sexy is still a point of contention.

It's now the largest minivan on the market, it has the most versatility and it's one of the most fun ones to drive.

Its radical styling carries through inside with jetliner seats, Skyview roof panels and a centrally located instrument panel. It also comes with the latest curtain-style airbags and active safety features.