Nissan Pathfinder SUV Review
SUV Reviewer
The Nissan Pathfinder SUV is a mid-sized truck-base SUV that is well known for its decent capabilities off-road. Based on a truck-like platform with either a powerful V6 or V8 engine, the Nissan Pathfinder SUV is equally capable handling the rough terrain on the way to family's favorite vacation camp site and towing the camping trailer for the family. Interest in this vehicle should be primary on these features as it suffers from lack of a smooth ride, good fuel economy and plenty of interior space for both passengers and cargo.
The Nissan Pathfinder SUV is a mid-sized SUV with five available trim levels. The base level S trim comes with air-conditioning, cruise control, a driver seat that can be manually adjusted eight ways, 16-inch alloy wheels, full power accessories, rails for the roof rack and an audio system with six speakers and a CD player. The next trim level, the SV, adds foglamps, automatic climate control with two zones, automatic headlights, air-conditioning for the rear seats, driver seat with eight power controls, upgraded cloth upholstery, a steering wheel wrapped in leather, a rearview camera, a color multi-information display and a six-disc CD changer. The Silver trim level of the Nissan Pathfinder SUV adds leather upholstery, front seats that are heated, passenger seat with four power controls, keyless ignition and entry and body-color/chrome side moldings. The top of the line LE is available in two trim levels based on the engine. The LE V6 has memory functions for the driver seat, 18-inch alloy wheels, a steering wheel that is heated and a navigation system with storage for digital music while the LE V8 has four-wheel drive and a V8 engine.
There is a choice of two engines for the Nissan Pathfinder SUV. The standard engine is a 4.0 liter V6 that is capable of producing 266 horsepower and 288 pound-feet of torque and the engine in the LE V8 is a 5.6 liter V8 that can produce 310 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque. The standard transmission for all models is a five-speed automatic. Also standard is rear-wheel drive although the S, SV and Silver models have an option for a part-time four-wheel drive system that has a shift-on-the-fly transfer case. An option for the LE models is full-time four-wheel drive. Fuel economy for the Nissan Pathfinder SUV with rear-wheel drive is rated at 15 mpg in the city, 22 mpg on the highway and17 mpg combined while four-wheel drive models are rated at 14 mpg in the city, 20 mpg on the highway 16 mpg combined. With the proper equipment, the Nissan Pathfinder SUV with a V6 engine can tow 6,000 pounds while the V8 engine can tow 7,000 pounds. Fuel economy for the V8 engine is rated at 13 mpg in the city, 18 mpg on the highway and 14 mpg combined.
The interior of the Nissan Pathfinder SUV seats seven but is lacking in space and comfort for those in the second and third row of seats. There is 79 cubic feet of cargo space when the two sets of rear seats are folded down.
Regardless of engine choice, the Nissan Pathfinder SUV provides strong acceleration with a transmission that is smooth with gear shifts well-timed. The ride can almost be sporty at times with a responsive steering that makes the vehicle easy to maneuver regardless of road conditions.
The Nissan Pathfinder SUV is a mid-sized SUV with five available trim levels. The base level S trim comes with air-conditioning, cruise control, a driver seat that can be manually adjusted eight ways, 16-inch alloy wheels, full power accessories, rails for the roof rack and an audio system with six speakers and a CD player. The next trim level, the SV, adds foglamps, automatic climate control with two zones, automatic headlights, air-conditioning for the rear seats, driver seat with eight power controls, upgraded cloth upholstery, a steering wheel wrapped in leather, a rearview camera, a color multi-information display and a six-disc CD changer. The Silver trim level of the Nissan Pathfinder SUV adds leather upholstery, front seats that are heated, passenger seat with four power controls, keyless ignition and entry and body-color/chrome side moldings. The top of the line LE is available in two trim levels based on the engine. The LE V6 has memory functions for the driver seat, 18-inch alloy wheels, a steering wheel that is heated and a navigation system with storage for digital music while the LE V8 has four-wheel drive and a V8 engine.
There is a choice of two engines for the Nissan Pathfinder SUV. The standard engine is a 4.0 liter V6 that is capable of producing 266 horsepower and 288 pound-feet of torque and the engine in the LE V8 is a 5.6 liter V8 that can produce 310 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque. The standard transmission for all models is a five-speed automatic. Also standard is rear-wheel drive although the S, SV and Silver models have an option for a part-time four-wheel drive system that has a shift-on-the-fly transfer case. An option for the LE models is full-time four-wheel drive. Fuel economy for the Nissan Pathfinder SUV with rear-wheel drive is rated at 15 mpg in the city, 22 mpg on the highway and17 mpg combined while four-wheel drive models are rated at 14 mpg in the city, 20 mpg on the highway 16 mpg combined. With the proper equipment, the Nissan Pathfinder SUV with a V6 engine can tow 6,000 pounds while the V8 engine can tow 7,000 pounds. Fuel economy for the V8 engine is rated at 13 mpg in the city, 18 mpg on the highway and 14 mpg combined.
The interior of the Nissan Pathfinder SUV seats seven but is lacking in space and comfort for those in the second and third row of seats. There is 79 cubic feet of cargo space when the two sets of rear seats are folded down.
Regardless of engine choice, the Nissan Pathfinder SUV provides strong acceleration with a transmission that is smooth with gear shifts well-timed. The ride can almost be sporty at times with a responsive steering that makes the vehicle easy to maneuver regardless of road conditions.
boring, regular look