Pathfinder offers space, value and best-in-class efficiency

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Published on Friday, March 25, 2016

Photo by Ben Castle.

By Ben Castle

The Neepawa Banner

When you think of SUV manufacturers, what is the first one that springs to mind? Jeep? Land Rover? Possibly Ford, GM or Toyota? Surprisingly, with six distinct ranges currently on offer, Nissan has a more extensive SUV/crossover range than any of them and has actually been manufacturing 4WD vehicles continuously for over 60 years. The fourth generation seven-seat crossover Pathfinder has been around since 2013 and with its car-derived platform, promises more space, efficiency, value and car-like dynamics than its truck-based predecessors.

The three-row crossover market in Canada increased on average over 10 per cent throughout 2015 and the Nissan Pathfinder is amongst the top five best-selling vehicles in its sector with nearly 10,000 units sold last year.  

All Pathfinders come with a 3.5 litre V6 engine with 260 horsepower and 240 pound feet of torque. Modest figures compared to its rivals (the Kia Sorento tested in December for example, has 30 horsepower more), but thanks to Nissan’s excellent Xtronic CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission), you don’t notice this power shortfall most of the time. The transmission is seamless, quiet at a cruise and gives instant power when required for acceleration. Refreshingly, there is no manual override function and just an overdrive button on the shifter to give more power for towing. Pathfinder has a competitive maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds. This is the only vehicle in its class with a CVT transmission and this certainly helps to contribute to an impressive and best-in-class claimed highway fuel consumption of nine litres per 100 kilometres. Pathfinder is also unique in having a switchable 4WD system, which makes it one of the most capable vehicles in its class in treacherous conditions. You can lock it in 2WD to maximise efficiency, lock it in 4WD for very slippery conditions, or leave it in automatic mode where torque can be distributed to all four wheels as and when required. One of my favourite features is that the driver’s information centre has a display which shows you the distribution of torque to all four wheels as you are driving. Pathfinder has a commanding truck-like driving position and the steering is nicely weighted and precise and, thanks to one of the longest wheelbases in the class, also offers a smooth and comfortable ride.

Pathfinder is available in four trim levels: S, SV, SL and Platinum and all trims come with a high level of standard equipment. S starts at $31,198 before taxes and is the only trim available with 2WD. 4WD is $2,800 more. All Pathfinders come with Tri-zone climate control, 18 inch aluminum wheels, heated mirrors, power windows, mirrors and locks, keyless start, cruise control, six-disc CD changer with audio controls on steering wheel and tire pressure monitoring system. For an extra $3,700, SV gains auto lights, fog lights, seven inch colour touchscreen, rear-view sonar and monitor, Bluetooth, intelligent key, power liftgate and driver’s seat, heated front seats and steering wheel, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter, XM radio and roof rails.  Add $3,100 for SL spec to get leather seating with power passenger seat and power lumber, heated rear seats, tow hitch receiver and blind spot warning and cross-traffic alert. Finally, for an additional $6,200, the fully-loaded Platinum features navigation, around view monitor, Bose premium audio with 13 speakers, dual panorama moonroof, 20 inch aluminium wheels, tri-zone entertainment system, climate controlled front seats and Bluetooth streaming audio. If you can live without the last four features, the SL Premium Tech Package offers all the other features of the Platinum for about half the upgrade cost. 

The test model supplied by Birchwood Nissan (formerly House of Nissan) in Brandon was the 2016 Pathfinder SL with Premium Tech Package with a sticker of $46,148. A couple of nice features are the standard tire pressure monitoring system, which will also beep the horn to let you know when you have inflated your tires to the recommended pressure and the class-exclusive available around view monitor, which offers, in addition to a rear-view camera, cameras in the front bumper and door mirrors to give you a 360 degree bird’s-eye view when parking or manoeuvering at low speed. Despite lacking the “zero-gravity” seats available on some other Nissan models, Pathfinder’s seats are very comfortable with a good range of adjustment. The dashboard has a premium feel, is solidly put together and in general, is ergonomically sound. However, I felt that the climate controls were a bit low down to adjust on the move and some of the buttons (the ones for the power liftgate for example) were hidden down by my left knee and felt a bit flimsy. The steering-wheel mounted buttons for audio and cruise control were also a bit small and fiddly compared to some rivals. 

Where this vehicle really excels, though, is practicality.  All three rows can accommodate adults and all seats recline, all rear passengers have cup holders mounted in the doors/sides, as well as their own climate controls and the middle row can slide forward up to six inches to ease access to the third row seats. Even at their furthest forward, legroom in the second row is still impressive. You are even able to still slide the second row seat forward on the passenger’s side with a child seat installed. All simple stuff but just very well designed and thought out.  With the third row folded flat into the floor, Pathfinder beats its main rivals with an impressive cargo space of 1,354 litres. Even with the third row seats upright, there is still 453 litres of load space behind them, more than most mid-size sedans!

Warranty is a fairly standard three years or 60,000 kilometres bumper-to-bumper and five years, 100,000 kilometres powertrain and service intervals are every 6,000 kilometres.  

Pricing for Pathfinder is mid-pack within the class, but when you consider the level of standard equipment, the Pathfinder offers excellent value. To spec its main rivals up to the same level as our test model, one would have to add, on average, almost $2,000 worth of options. As with most Nissan models, mid-range SV trim seems to be the sweet spot in terms of value versus features and would be my choice. That being said, if you want the extra features such as leather, navigation and entertainment system offered by the higher SL and Platinum trims, the upgrade prices are reasonable for the extra kit being offered.

So, Pathfinder may not offer the most dynamic styling, most power or lowest price in its class, but in my opinion, it still looks rugged and handsome. What it does offer, though, is class-leading fuel economy, comfort, space and a very refined drive in a very well thought out family-friendly package. When you consider all of this, it must be one of the strongest contenders in the mid-size three row SUV category currently out there.