Nissan Pathfinder Review

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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.

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Bingle Comprehensive						Market	Finder's summary:Bingle consistently comes up as one of the cheaper insurers out there. It only covers the basics, so you don't get to choose your own repairer, you're not covered for personal items in the car and unless you add it as an option, you won't get a hire car if your car is stolen. But this keeps its premiums low. Who it might be good for: Someone who wants a low-cost option that covers them for the basics.	Get Quote View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
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Youi Comprehensive					Optional	Agreed or Market	Finder's summary: Youi Comprehensive Car Insurance is one of the few providers to include roadside assistance in its policy. You'll also get access to YouiRewards which gives you discounts on furniture, parking and more. Youi also has a live chat feature on its site to talk through any questions. Who it might be good for: People over 25 who want comprehensive cover with a focus on customer service	Get Quote View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
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Stella Comprehensive		Optional				Agreed or Market	Finder's summary: Stella’s a female-focused insurer. It'll cover you if your car is damaged as a result of domestic violence. It offers higher cover for baby gear than most, with up to $2,000 cover for prams, strollers and child seats. You get a free Bauer magazine subscription when you sign up and a portion of your premiums go to supporting female-led businesses. Who it might be good for: Someone who wants a female-centred car insurance policy (it will cover men too).	Get Quote View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
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Real Comprehensive		Optional				Agreed or Market	Finder's summary: Real Comprehensive Car Insurance provides similar coverage to other insurers for the important stuff like looking after your car if it's stolen or you crash. They're also one of the few insurers who offer a Pay As You Drive policy, so you might be able to save big if you don't drive much. Who it might be good for: Those that don't drive much can take advantage of their Pay As You Drive policy.	View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
UbiCar Comprehensive		Optional				Agreed	Cheaper comprehensive monthly cover, personalised to how well or how far you drive your car.	View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
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Budget Direct Third Party Property Damage		Optional				Agreed	Save 15% on your first year's premium when you purchase a new policy online. T&Cs apply.	Get Quote View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Coles Third Party Property Damage		Optional				Agreed or Market	Save 10% when you buy online. T&Cs apply.	Get Quote View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Virgin Third Party Property Damage		Optional				Agreed	Purchase a new eligible Virgin Car Insurance policy and you'll also save 15% on your first year's premium. T&Cs Apply.	Get Quote View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Qantas Third Party Property Only		Optional				Market	Earn Qantas Points when you sign up. T&Cs apply.	Get Quote View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
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