The minivan prime directive sounds simple enough: build a big bus that drives like a car and seats seven. Don't worry about being fast, attractive, or unique; history only punishes the deviants (Toyota Previa, Chevy Astro, Mazda MPV, et al). Just keep it user-friendly and reliable, and moms will maul down dealers' doors.When you've got something to prove and a full charge of energy, suggestions sometimes go ignored. This second-generation Quest of 2004 was conceived right in the middle of its creator's "Nissan 180" rapid revival plan, which in this case seems to have meant running 180 degrees from every minivan expectation. Some advancements are obvious: it's way roomier, finally has a competitive engine, and is now a solo project no longer dragged down by the self-contradictory concept known as Ford build quality. But Nissan took a chance with some deep space styling, then went absolutely out on a limb with the driver controls. It also took the minivan concept to the max - the Quest is a giant - and risked building it in a brand new Mississippi plant filled with hundreds of guys who might have never turned a wrench.But by that point, they'd already rocked the nation with a new Altima, a new 350Z, and a new Murano. So they must have known what they're doing, right?