Nissan Pathfinder Review

Critic reviews

How does the Nissan Pathfinder compare with its peers?

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Name	Product	Number of seats	Boot displacement	ANCAP rating	Price (from)	Finder Score
Toyota LandCruiser 200		8 seats	620L	5 stars	$143,101	81.5%		loading Fetching your data...
Alfa Romeo Stelvio		5 seats	525L	5 stars	$65,900	81.25%		loading Fetching your data...
Nissan Patrol		7 seats	550L	5 stars	$71,990	80%		loading Fetching your data...
Toyota LandCruiser Prado		7 seats	480L	5 stars	$53,490	79%		loading Fetching your data...
Mitsubishi Pajero Sport		7 seats	502L	5 stars	$45,000	77.33%		loading Fetching your data...
Toyota Kluger		7 seats	529L	5 stars	$43,550	76.33%		loading Fetching your data...
Nissan Pathfinder		7 seats	453L	5 stars	$41,990	74.5%		loading Fetching your data...
Range Rover Sport		7 seats	784L	5 stars	$95,100	72%		loading Fetching your data...

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Nissan Pathfinder SUV Pricing

There are 10 models of Nissan Pathfinder to choose from, with 3 different trim levels and 2 engines.

The cheapest Pathfinder is an ST 2WD model. The drive-away price listed on Nissan's website is $41,990. These Pathfinders have a 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine, seven seats over three rows, Nissan's EZ Flex seating system, an 8" infotainment touchscreen, Tri-Zone climate control plus Bluetooth phone connectivity and audio streaming. Nissan also produces the ST as a 4WD and a four-cylinder hybrid.

If you're looking for additional tech and luxury, check out an ST-L line model. This specification swaps cloth seating for leather accented upholstery and receives a front sunroof with a panoramic glass roof. Nissan also installs an intelligent cruise control system and upgrades the sound system to one from Bose with 13 speakers. ST-L models also boast a bird's-eye view monitoring system and intelligent emergency braking. A front-wheel drive ST-L costs $55,490. The AWD model starts at $63,602, while a 4WD hybrid engine ST-L retails for $66,752.

Nissan currently builds an N-Sport special edition 2WD Pathfinder that's a variation of the ST-L model. N-Sport Pathfinders have larger, 20" black alloy wheels and black roof rails and grilles. The front and rear bumpers have black accents, as does the licence plate finisher. The N-Sport starts at $61,557.

The range-topping Ti model rounds out the Pathfinder line-up. Ti spec Pathfinders boast heated and cooled seats in the front, a motion-activated tailgate, a tri-zone entertainment system, 20" alloy wheels and remote engine start. For a 2WD Ti, you'll need to pay $64,990, a 4WD Ti costs $72,330 and the Ti hybrid 4WD Pathfinder has a drive-away price of $76,102.

Pearlescent and metallic paints are charged at $500.

Prices shown are for NSW, postcode 2000.

Click on the model you're interested in to compare finance options.

The above prices are the manufacturer's recommended drive-away prices (MRDP). These also include 12 months' registration and CTP insurance, stamp duty, dealer delivery fees and any other admin costs.

Engine and performance

For 2019 model Pathfinders, you have the choice of a 3.5-litre, naturally aspirated V6 petrol engine or a 2.5-litre supercharged hybrid petrol powerplant that works in tandem with a 15kW electric motor and battery.
All non-hybrid Pathfinders use the 3.5-litre, 24-valve V6 petrol engine. No matter the trim you select, the engine outputs a standard 202 kW @ 6,400rpm. Nissan lists max torque as 340Nm @ 4,800rpm.
Hybrid figures are a little more modest, but still impressive considering this block has two fewer cylinders. The supercharged 2.5-litre creates 188kW @ 5,600rpm with max torque near the levels of the V6, with 330Nm available at a lower 3,600rpm.

Transferring power from the engine to the wheels is a continuously variable transmission (CVT) gearbox. The Pathfinder system is called Xtronic and has simulated shifts via a D-step logic control. Nissan discovered that owners preferred the sensation of the revs dipping with a gear change, so the engineers created faux-shifts.

Car reviewers' thoughts on the Nissan Pathfinder engine/gearbox

With a sizeable displacement, the V6 engine is said to be rather punchy. Commenting on this engine, testers reported it was excellent, offering solid acceleration and a very relaxed drive at freeway speeds.

The motoring media was full of praise for the 4-cylinder hybrid engine too, stating that around town, acceleration was effortless.

The only downside that automotive journalists spoke of was the high revs required to achieve maximum torque and power. Obviously, this makes things louder if you're trying to overtake and also reduces fuel economy as you're having to work the accelerator pedal heavily.

Ordinarily, CVT automatic transmissions attract negative comments from reviewers. Nissan's CVT didn't receive the usual bashing, in fact, one tester said it was the best implementation of a CVT they've ever driven. They even had to double-check the spec list to make sure their press car didn't have a traditional automatic with fixed speeds.

Nissan Pathfinder engine and transmission statistics

Fuel Efficiency

Nissan lists the fuel consumption for the 2WD 3.5-litre V6 as:

• Combined: 9.9L/100km

For the 4WD V6, the Japanese automaker says you'll use:

• Combined: 10.1L/100km

As you'd expect, the 2WD Hybrid Pathfinder uses the least fuel:

• Combined: 8.6L/100km

While the 4WD Hybrid model uses slightly more at:

• Combined: 8.7L/100km

If you want to stretch the time between your visits to the filling station, the best model on paper is the 2WD hybrid Pathfinder. The most fuel-hungry model has an all-wheel drive transmission and the stout 3.6-litre V6.

It's worth mentioning the above numbers are calculated using stringent set tests, with regimented conditions. As a driver, you'll know public roads are considerably less predictable. You may, for example, live in a particularly hilly area or like to drive quite defensively with the A/C cranked right up in heavy traffic. All these different variables mean the actual fuel figures you see will differ quite a lot from the brochure numbers.

How then, did the motoring media fare when it came to the Pathfinder's fuel use? One editor declared the figures were optimistic. Around town, the expert could only achieve 13.0L/100km in a V6 but did note that on freeways, the numbers dropped closer to Nissan's official combined data. Other journalists echoed these findings. Generally, most favoured the V6, despite its moderate fuel dependency.

Handling

What is the Nissan Pathfinder like to drive? In built-up areas, reviewers described the ride as above average and satisfyingly comfortable. Not surprisingly, some journalists found that it wasn't well suited to attacking bends: after all, it's a family/passenger-focused vehicle. Expect the fairly weighty Pathfinder to be less about blasting around corners and more about leisurely lapping up the kilometres on a long run.

Apparently, Nissan engineers have done an acceptable job preventing the body from lolloping around, but one critic thought competing car makers had perhaps an edge in this area. They did add that it wasn't unreasonable, just not the best in class. Another source suggested that this model Pathfinder is an improvement over previous generations. The automotive journalists who trialled the Ti, with its larger 20" alloy wheels and wider tyres, said the ride was a lot more planted.

The steering wheel feels reactive and positive according to our sample reviewers, but once more the journalists said other SUVs outshine the Pathfinder. Crucially, for navigating tight car parks and streets, the steering wheel requires little effort to pivot the wheels.

Unlike the previous R51 series Pathfinder, which was built on the same platform as the Navara ute, this iteration of the Japanese SUV isn't what you'd call off-road ready. For a start, the Pathfinder only has 7.1 inches of ground clearance. With the option of AWD and hill-descent control, it'll do alright away from the pavement, but don't expect to do any extreme mud-plugging. This is an urban SUV.

Interior

As a driver, you spend the majority of your time sitting inside your car, not outside admiring it. What's the Pathfinder like internally then?

Pretty good, apparently. The front seats are nice and wide, offering up lots of support. There was a comment made that the Pathfinder had an American feel to it and that assertion proved to be right on the money, as Nissan manufactures the SUV in a small town in Tennessee, USA.

The motoring press heaped commendations on Nissan for logically laid-out driver controls and an easy-to-use infotainment system. However, Nissan lost points for omitting proper smartphone integration with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto noticeably missing from the system.

Motoring experts appreciated the solid build quality of the Pathfinder's interior, saying it had very few squeaks and rattles. It's also said to be suitably spacious for a growing family, with a collection of cupholders, lots of storage for travel essentials and two ISOFIX anchors for child restraints. Rear passengers are often neglected in seven-seaters, but tri-zone climate control will keep them comfortable and the top-spec Ti's rear entertainment screens will prevent boredom on long treks.

A few Nissan Pathfinderreviewers went as far as saying the third-row seats were the easiest to clamber into on the market, something to bear in mind if you plan on regularly carrying a sixth and seventh passenger.

Even the cheapest Pathfinder trim, the ST, has plenty of passenger comforts and gadgets. For the driver, there's cruise control, an 8-way electronically adjustable seat, a reversing camera with predictive trajectory graphics and hill start assist. For passengers, there's a 4-way manually adjusting front seat, an 8" entertainment touchscreen with AM/FM/DVD/MP3 support plus an auxiliary and USB input.

The ST-L adds extras like a front sunroof and panoramic glass roof for letting in more natural light and giving rearwards occupants a view of the skyscape, plus a refined 13-speaker Bose sound system. Sat-nav becomes a standard feature as does leather accented seating. The driver is also given a selection of driving assists like smart cruise control, rear cross traffic alert, blind spot warning and smart braking with forward collision warning.

Finally, the top spec Ti trim gets a motion-activated tailgate, perfect for when you return from the shop and your arms are full of groceries, as well as a tri-zone entertainment system. This system comes with headphones and a remote control to avoid distracting the driver.

Nissan Pathfinder safety and driver assists

Nissan Pathfinder interior and comfort features

Nissan Pathfinder exterior styling features

The Nissan Pathfinder review verdict

Over the years, the Pathfinder has morphed from a body-on-frame SUV into a more modern urban-oriented family car. The Pathfinder can boast lots of refinements, from excess cup holders and storage to a sensible suite of smart driving assists. It even drives well and has plenty of space for luggage and passengers.

However, the motoring media did find there were a lot of very minor niggles. Principally, it lacks iOS or Android smartphone integration. Others wished for a diesel engine and a few begrudged the fuel economy. Overall, the Pathfinder isn't bad, it just doesn't quite top some of its aggressively priced rivals.

Compare some options to finance a Nissan Pathfinder

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loans.com.au - New - Variable Rate Special Variable3 - 7 Years $5,000 - $150,000	Interest Rate (p.a.) 6.24% to 7.74%	Comp. Rate (p.a.) 7.36% to 8.85%	Application Fee $400	Monthly Fee $8	Monthly Repayment $936.14	Go to siteMore Info Compare
OurMoneyMarket New Car Loan Fixed1 - 7 Years $2,001 - $75,000	Interest Rate (p.a.) 6.57% to 18.99%	Comp. Rate (p.a.) 7.19% to 21.78%	Application Fee $250 min.	Monthly Fee $0	Monthly Repayment $934.23	Go to siteMore Info Compare
Verified Lending Used Car Loan Fixed1 - 7 Years $10,000 - $200,000	Interest Rate (p.a.) 7.1% to 18.99%	Comp. Rate (p.a.) 8.06% to 22.99%	Application Fee $395	Monthly Fee $0	Monthly Repayment $939.9	Go to siteMore Info Compare
NRMA New Car Loan Fixed1 - 7 Years $5,000 - $130,000	Interest Rate (p.a.) 7.29% to 16.99%	Comp. Rate (p.a.) 8% to 17.77%	Application Fee $499	Monthly Fee $0	Monthly Repayment $945.77	Go to siteMore Info Compare	Note: Take out a loan for an eligible electric vehicle and receive a 1.5% discount on your personalised interest rate (interest rates start from 5.79% p.a. and comparison rates from 6.49% p.a.)
OurMoneyMarket Used Car Loan - No Vehicle Age Limit Fixed1 - 7 Years $2,001 - $75,000	Interest Rate (p.a.) 6.57% to 18.99%	Comp. Rate (p.a.) 7.19% to 21.78%	Application Fee $250 min.	Monthly Fee $0	Monthly Repayment $934.23	Go to siteMore Info Compare
NRMA Used Car Loan Fixed1 - 7 Years $5,000 - $130,000	Interest Rate (p.a.) 8.49% to 16.99%	Comp. Rate (p.a.) 9.21% to 17.77%	Application Fee $499	Monthly Fee $0	Monthly Repayment $962.64	Go to siteMore Info Compare	You'll receive a fixed rate from 8.49% p.a. Finance a used car with NRMA and benefit from a fixed rate term and no monthly fees. Pre-approval available within 5 business hours.
loans.com.au - Variable Rate Used Car < 5 years Variable3 - 7 Years $5,000 - $150,000	Interest Rate (p.a.) 7.74% to 7.74%	Comp. Rate (p.a.) 8.85% to 8.99%	Application Fee $400	Monthly Fee $8	Monthly Repayment $956.98	Go to siteMore Info Compare

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Pictures: Nissan