Nissan Pathfinder Review

Some sport-utility vehicles appeal to truck people, while others appeal to car people. The Nissan Pathfinder is one of the few sport-utility vehicles that appeals to both. When it debuted in the late 1980s, the Pathfinder had the trucklike qualities of rear- or four-wheel drive, sturdy body-on frame architecture, angular styling and, when equipped with four-wheel drive, genuine off-road capability.

Since then, the Pathfinder has grown larger and more refined, helping it better walk a line between suburban family runabout and macho, rugged rock crawler. It's now broad-shouldered enough to fit such new-millennium amenities as a fold-flat third-row seat, powerful V6 and V8 engines and a towing capacity up to 7,000 pounds, but remains tidy enough to fit in a standard garage space. It's also one of the rare SUVs to switch from unibody construction back to a truck-based body-on-frame setup, creating a sturdier truck at the expense of additional weight.

That said, the latest Pathfinder is a jack of all trades and has never dominated in any one area. It is still a solid choice among midsize SUVs, but its bland styling and unremarkable ride and handling do not help its appeal in its middle age. Today's seven-passenger Pathfinder may be overlooked by SUV shoppers who have plenty of other candidates to consider in this class. Those who do take a look, however, should be pleased with its all-around capabilities.

Current Nissan Pathfinder
The Nissan Pathfinder is a traditional SUV and boasts the typical strengths and weaknesses of body-on-frame architecture. The standard engine is a 4.0-liter V6 producing 266 horsepower and 288 pound-feet of torque. The optional 5.6-liter V8 makes 310 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque. Both engines come standard with a five-speed automatic transmission and are available with four-wheel drive.

The interior is roomy enough for tall people up front and a pair of kids in the standard third-row seat. The midsize SUV features more creature comforts and storage bins than ever, including two gloveboxes. Pathfinder buyers have a choice of five trim levels: base S, midgrade SV, the more luxurious LE V6 and LE V8 trims, and the limited 25th Anniversary Silver Edition.

In our reviews, we've enjoyed the Nissan Pathfinder's powerful engines, above-average abilities off-road, and ample storage. With the V8, the Pathfinder can also tow considerably more than the average crossover SUV. The main criticisms include tight rear seating for adults, inconsistent fit and finish, the V8's poor fuel economy and middling on-road handling.

Used Nissan Pathfinder Models
The latest, third-generation Nissan Pathfinder debuted for the 2005 model year. The most notable midcycle change has been the addition of the 5.6-liter V8 engine as an option in 2008. Other changes for '08 included a revised interior and slightly tweaked styling. There was an SE Off Road 4x4 trim level available until 2010, which featured such all-terrain items as 16-inch off-road alloy wheels with rugged trail tires, Bilstein shocks, skid plates, Hill Descent Control and Hill Start Assist.

The second-generation (1996-2004) Pathfinder debuted right when the SUV craze hit a fever pitch. A switch to carlike unibody construction afforded it significant gains in size, interior space and on-road agility, while shedding 200 pounds. The softer Pathfinder's unremarkable styling and wimpy engine (its V6 made just 166 hp) rendered it merely average within its crowded segment, though. A small backseat also made it less suitable for hauling children than some competitors.

Nissan followed a cosmetic update in 2000 with a much-needed engine upgrade in the form of its powerful VQ-series 3.5-liter V6. In the Pathfinder, it was good for an impressive 240 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. The improvements added enough flavor to earn the Nissan Pathfinder two consecutive Edmunds.com Most Wanted awards, in 2001 and 2002.

Launched in 1986 for the 1987 model year, the original Nissan Pathfinder has roots that run deeper than most midsize SUVs. Initially, the Pathfinder was intended to appeal to the same youthful, active, mostly male buyers that Toyota appealed to with its 4Runner. Based on Nissan's compact pickup platform, the original Pathfinder looked macho and performed well off road, even though it was not terribly well-equipped or spacious by today's standards. It wasn't very powerful either, even with the optional 3.0-liter V6. It was offered initially only in a two-door body style, later adding a four-door variant that ultimately became its only configuration in subsequent generations. Pathfinders were available with four- and six-cylinder engines, as well as rear- and four-wheel drive.