All new Pathfinder guilty of
identity theft
New for '06: Satellite
radio available, SE Comfort Package gets a six-disc
CD changer, leather seating option for Off-Road
and SE trims.
Pathfinder arrived on the scene 20 years ago
as a two-door SUV riding on Nissan's small
pickup truck chassis. Later, Nissan added two
more doors and built the Pathfinder on a unibody
construction, improving the on-road ride but
removing it from the ranks of worthy off-road
vehicles.
For 2005, Nissan switched back to a full-frame
platform build, using the superb F-Alpha truck
ladder frame from the Nissan Titan pickup as
the underpinnings for the Xterra, Frontier and
the Pathfinder. Totally redesigned and re-engineered,
the Nissan Pathfinder was styled to resemble
its full-size big brother, Pathfinder Armada - right
down to the prominent chrome grille bars and
Nissan logo. Thankfully Nissan designers didn't
carryover the Armada's - 59 American
Motors Cross Country station wagon roof lump
above the reverse C pillar.
The third-generation Pathfinder uses a larger,
4.0-liter, 270-horsepower V-6 engine derived
from the 3.5-liter V-6 that powers most Nissan
and Infiniti models. Power was more than adequate
for the hefty 4700-pound SUV. Nissan recommends
premium fuel and, judging by my test week average
of just over 13 miles per gallon, you'll
be a frequent visitor to the pump. The performance
notwithstanding, the all-aluminum engine returns
a noisy growl under hard acceleration. Nissan
says the Pathfinder with four-wheel drive will
tow a trailer weighing 6,000 pounds.
Buyers have a choice of four Pathfinder trim
levels, each with either two-wheel or four-wheel
drive. Base S starts at $26,005 including destination
charges; add $2,000 for four-wheel drive. The
high-end LE with four-wheel drive starts at $36,305.
In between are the SE and SE Off-Road. All are
equipped with a five-speed automatic transmission
with smooth, precise shifting, executed by the
computerized engine management system.
All models come standard with air-conditioning,
cruise control, power windows and locks, a covered
center console with storage, AM/FM/CD stereo,
a full set of analog gauges, alloy wheels and
a roof rack. Standard safety features include
stability control and four-wheel antilock disc
brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution
and BrakeAssist. The LE model adds side airbags
for the front and side curtain airbags for all
three rows. These are optional on all other models.
NHTSA crash test results were impressive at five
stars for front and rear side-impact crashes,
and four out of five stars for front-occupant
protection in head-on collisions. Rollover-resistance
rating is three out of five stars.
The pricing for Pathfinder is a bit ambitious - with
options a $40,000 window sticker isn't
unusual. The larger, more powerful Armada SE
starts at $35,400, and while you won't
ride on leather seats or have a sunroof, the
Armada tows 9,100 pounds, offers acres more room
and is therefore the better buy. Then again,
you might not want that large a vehicle.
Inside, three rows of seats are standard with
multiple folding positions for the second row.
Maneuvering the seats is easier in the Pathfinder
than in any vehicle we've tested. Legroom
is a problem though, with the third row only
able to accommodate small children and the second
row extremely tight for adults unless the front-seat
occupants adjust their seats forward.
The backside of the third row is finished with
hard plastic making it usable as a cargo floor
when folded flat. The second row has a hidden
storage area underneath. There's plenty
of cupholders and doors have wide storage bins.
The dash, while plain, is functional with a large
round speedometer and tachometer prominently
displayed beyond the familiar three-spoke steering
wheel with metallic trim. Buttons on the lower
dash operate the outside mirror and adjustable
pedals. The ignition key is on the dash and the
stereo sits on the upper side of the center sack
with climate controls fitted below. Knobs and
buttons are easy to use and well deciphered.
I liked the small tray on top of the center stack,
an ideal place for sunglasses, loose change or
other small pocket items. But, for my taste,
Nissan still uses too much hard plastic in their
interiors.
For those of us with long limbs, the driver's
seat position is tight and generally uncomfortable.
Small- to medium-sized adults won't complain,
but this too-tall driver appreciates the room
afforded behind the wheel of the larger Armada.
Around town and at highway speeds, the Pathfinder
provides a surprisingly comfortable ride, precise
steering, predictable cornering and excellent
braking. Off road, sophisticated equipment like
hill-descent control lets the Pathfinder to crawl
down steep inclines sure footedly. The All-Mode
electronic transfer case allows the driver to
switch from two-wheel drive to auto four-wheel
drive, locked four-wheel drive and four-wheel
drive low with a flip of the dial. Hill Start
Assist enables the driver to stop on a slope
without rolling backwards. Off-road driving proved
the Pathfinder more than capable, handling rugged
boulder-strewn desert terrain with confidence
and poise.
The new Pathfinder is a genuinely capable mid-sized
SUV, both on- and off-road. Exterior styling is
downright handsome, however the interior falls
short of vehicles like the Toyota 4Runner. Driving,
handling characteristics and performance are impressive.
But as good as the Pathfinder is, I wished for
a little more refinement (and room) inside, better
gas mileage and few bucks off the price.
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