Minivan mystery has been solved.

Kinja'd!!! "mazda616" (mazda616)
08/31/2017 at 16:30 • Filed to: Rentals

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Enterprise just called and they have our van ready. It’s a...

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

...Nissan Quest.

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I’m not thrilled because the Quest has about 20-30 less horsepower than the Sedona and Grand Caravan and has a lower payload capacity as well. The Quest’s payload is 1,265 to 1,469 lbs (not sure what makes the difference or what is responsible for the range there) and the Grand Caravan’s is 1,567 to 1,729 lbs.

There are four of us adults. And none of us is exactly tiny. Then we have the two kids, their convertible car seats, and our luggage for four days. I hope that 260 HP can move us well. And that the brakes can stop us. We shall see!


DISCUSSION (19)


Kinja'd!!! C62030 > mazda616
08/31/2017 at 16:36

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We had a rental Sedona for a 20-hour road trip last year. I didn’t really like it. The seats were pretty hard, though nice and wide, and the steering and brakes were too sensitive for my taste. The driver’s seat also felt weirdly cramped and too high up. Absolutely insane amount of storage in the interior, though, and I never want to go back to a van without automatic doors. It also rode pretty well and was nice and quiet on the highway.


Kinja'd!!! boredalways > mazda616
08/31/2017 at 16:39

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I’m curious as to your thoughts on their corporate CVT once you get on the road.


Kinja'd!!! Steve in Manhattan > mazda616
08/31/2017 at 16:39

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Does this mean we have to call you Johnny Quest?


Kinja'd!!! mazda616 > Steve in Manhattan
08/31/2017 at 16:42

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Yes.


Kinja'd!!! mazda616 > boredalways
08/31/2017 at 16:42

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I’ll let you know. Chances are I’ll hate it as I’ve hated the other CVTs I’ve driven. But we’ll see.


Kinja'd!!! Takuro Spirit > mazda616
08/31/2017 at 16:50

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Don’t crash it....


Kinja'd!!! Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > mazda616
08/31/2017 at 16:51

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Kinja'd!!! Chariotoflove > C62030
08/31/2017 at 16:51

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We have taken several long road trips in our Sedona and find it very comfy and accommodating. I wonder if your experience with the driver’s seat is the difference between rental spec and higher trims, because the SL we have has highly adjustable power memory seats in front. You do sit pretty high compared to the road. I feel even with most all the Expeditions and Escalades on the road. The steering is very light and detached, no real communication at all. My wife loves it that way. I accept it as unavoidable in a car this size.


Kinja'd!!! Wacko > mazda616
08/31/2017 at 16:57

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so it’s basically a fwd pathfinder.

I think you might be surprised by the CVT with a V6

More than enough power to move 4 adults and 2 kids.

Seriously I didn’t even want to consider the pathfinder when we were 7 passenger car shopping. I only tried it to cross it off my wife’s list, I wanted a FLEX. But bought a pathfinder after trying both.


Kinja'd!!! mazda616 > Takuro Spirit
08/31/2017 at 17:00

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My first thought when he told me that’s what we were getting. I don’t think the Grand Caravan did much better, though.


Kinja'd!!! Takuro Spirit > mazda616
08/31/2017 at 17:03

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Nope. It didn’t.


Kinja'd!!! cmill189 - sans Volvo > Takuro Spirit
08/31/2017 at 17:04

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It is sad that a modern minivan would have such a poor crash rating. There’s simply no excuse.


Kinja'd!!! mazda616 > Takuro Spirit
08/31/2017 at 17:06

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Considering the purpose of the minivan itself, it’s odd to me that they do badly in this test.


Kinja'd!!! Takuro Spirit > mazda616
08/31/2017 at 17:08

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I’d like to think its an inherent flaw in the design, but mostly it seems that they know no one is going to buy them so they don’t spend the time and money on proper R&D and materials like they do on bread and butter sedans and now CUVs.


Kinja'd!!! mazda616 > Takuro Spirit
08/31/2017 at 17:17

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At least my 6 and wifey’s CX-5 did well!


Kinja'd!!! Takuro Spirit > mazda616
08/31/2017 at 17:25

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I might be okay?

Same with the wife?


Kinja'd!!! C62030 > Chariotoflove
08/31/2017 at 17:26

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It’s not the detachment I mind, I just found it a little too quick and twitchy because I’m used to my 26-year-old Pontiac. Same for the brakes. I find them easier to modulate if I have to apply a bit more force.


Kinja'd!!! Chariotoflove > C62030
08/31/2017 at 17:58

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Funny, I don’t get twitchiness in our Sedona, but I am finding it on my new K900. It’s been hard for me to find a way to modulate without being grabby.


Kinja'd!!! TheTurbochargedSquirrel > mazda616
08/31/2017 at 18:05

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Nissan’s CVT is the worst.