- Home
- Research
- Nissan
- 2002 Pathfinder
- Reviews
.switchModelImage('//cdcssl.ibsrv.net/autodata/images/?IMG=USB20NIS072B0101.jpg&width=390','3/4 Front Glamour 2002 Nissan Pathfinder','3/4 Front Glamour 2002 Nissan Pathfinder'); "3/4 Front Glamour 2002 Nissan Pathfinder")
.switchModelImage('//cdcssl.ibsrv.net/autodata/images/?IMG=USB20NIS072B0102.jpg&width=390','3/4 Rear Glamour 2002 Nissan Pathfinder','3/4 Rear Glamour 2002 Nissan Pathfinder'); "3/4 Rear Glamour 2002 Nissan Pathfinder")
.switchModelImage('//cdcssl.ibsrv.net/autodata/images/?IMG=USB20NIS072B0109.jpg&width=390','Grille 2002 Nissan Pathfinder','Grille 2002 Nissan Pathfinder'); "Grille 2002 Nissan Pathfinder")
- Calculating Prices Please Wait
Vehicle Min Max 2002 Nissan Pathfinder N/A N/A 2013 Ford Edge N/A N/A 2013 Ford Explorer N/A N/A 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee N/A N/A Average Not Available 
Used Car Price RangeCurrently Unavailable
Vehicle Min Max 2002 Nissan Pathfinder N/A N/A 2013 Ford Edge N/A N/A 2013 Ford Explorer N/A N/A 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee N/A N/A Average Not Available Based On: 10% down, 5% APR, 60 months
Estimated Monthly PaymentCurrently Unavailable
MPG city hwy 2002 Nissan Pathfinder 16 19 2013 Ford Edge 18 26 2013 Ford Explorer 17 24 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee 16 22 Average 17 23 MPG16 City | 19 Highway
Save
2002 Nissan Pathfinder Review Summary
What reviewers liked most about the 2002 Nissan Pathfinder:
...exceptionally smooth-riding without a trace of mushiness on the road, and off-road it's agile and sure-footed.
- Car and DriverAll the added power is down in the low to mid-ranges, where it was so desperately needed.
- AutoWeek...so quiet that you can actually listen to the sound system while driving down the road at eighty...
- Woman Motorist[with the new 3.5-liter V6] suddenly we're getting V-8-caliber 0-60 mph time of 9.2 seconds...
- Car and DriverThe Pathfinder has always been a comfortable and attractive truck, but with the new... [240-hp] powerplant, it has become something more - a startlingly powerful, quick performer.
- New Car Test Drive...The Pathfinder has a relatively low step-in height and feels nimble in city traffic.
- Popular MechanicsGearshifts that rival, perhaps surpass, those of the best luxury-car transmissions.
- USA TodayQuality construction, supportive front seats and useful features make the interior one of the friendliest of any SUV on the market.
- Edmunds.com...new full-time four-wheel-drive system... automatically transfers power to the front wheels as the rear wheels begin to slip... [and] provides the Pathfinder with exceptional on-road traction while preserving its off-road capability.
- Automobile
What reviewers liked least about the 2002 Nissan Pathfinder:
...why isn't the new model, given its extra oomph, able to tow more? Overheating concerns, we were told.
- Car and DriverFull of people and cargo, the rear suspension finds itself against the stops at almost every bump.
- Popular MechanicsTight rear accommodations.
- Edmunds.comThe four-wheel-drive system remains a weak point. It's part time only.
- USA Today
2002 Nissan Pathfinder Comparisons:
Others may be better at one extreme or another, but the Nissan offers the best blend of ride and handling, on road and off.
- Popular Mechanics...with this Pathfinder - and the new SUVs from BMW, Mercedes-Benz and other luxury makes - the performance of these trucks has suddenly become competitive with conventional automobiles.
- New Car Test Drive...if you're considering a loaded 4x4 Pathfinder LE... for only a few grand more, the mechanically identical Infiniti QX4 offers a better warranty, a few more luxury items, and better dealership service, including free loaner cars.
- Automobile
Best one-liners about the 2002 Nissan Pathfinder:
The new engine is spectacular, with incredible power and more spunk and enthusiasm than a high-school cheerleading squad.
- Automobile...the Pathfinder's days as an also-ran are over.
- Woman Motorist
2002 Nissan Pathfinder Introduction
Nissan's Pathfinder is a powerful, quick performer. Its demeanor is more carlike than other SUVs. The Pathfinder has become more of a premium SUV as the Xterra has filled the value role. Last year, a new V6 engine gave the Pathfinder dramatically more powerful engine. New styling two years ago gave the Pathfinder a handsome, more contemporary look.
New for 2002 are redesigned front seats, a new grille, body-colored bumpers and fender flares, titanium-accented step rail and roof rack and 16-inch alloy wheels.
2002 Nissan Pathfinder Walkaround
The Nissan Pathfinder's body and interior accommodations were redesigned for the 1999 model year; the new styling represented an evolutionary rather than revolutionary change from the previous generation. Winsome and efficient, the Pathfinder's styling has a square-jawed galoot look in front, accented for 2002 with a new grille and larger Nissan badge. Elsewhere it has been nicely modernized and smoothed out, while not losing any of its former ruggedly functional demeanor.
Our test vehicle was the performance-oriented SE 4X4. It featured body-colored wheel flares and painted rearview mirrors, and its alloy wheels contributed to its purposeful, well-integrated appearance. Under the hood was the newly enlarged 3.5-liter twin-cam V6, which offers a whopping 70 more horsepower than its forebear. This engine was coupled with Nissan's excellent 4-speed automatic transmission.
Our SE had a step rail for climbing into and out of the truck. The tailgate lifts up from the bottom, and there is a separate release to allow for opening just the rear window. The liftgate can be released from the driver's position, but opening the window requires unlocking it at the rear gate. The truck had a rear bug-deflector, as well as a standard rear washer and wiper. The spare tire is mounted underneath the rear of the truck; this provides more interior space, but may result in more of a struggle changing tires. The luggage rack has adjustable sliding tie-downs, and the radio antenna is wrapped in swirled wire to reduce wind noise at speed.
2002 Nissan Pathfinder Interior Features
Just as the exterior was redone in 2000, so was the interior, and it has been updated again for 2002 with new front seats and revised audio system.
The main instruments follow Nissan's trademark black-on-white pattern and are extremely easy to read.
In addition to central/remote locking, the Pathfinder had one-touch up/down windows and a one-touch open/close sunroof.
These are a welcome convenience, because the vast majority of the time we want to open or close the windows or sunroof all the way. Mounted in our SE's overhead console were an outside temperature readout and a digital compass. Our eight-way power front seats were excellent, and the truck's black leather upholstery was sumptuous. The Pathfinder had four cupholders, two in front, two in back, and convenient grab handles for climbing in through both rear doors.
2002 Nissan Pathfinder Driving Impressions
Nissan Pathfinder offers a relatively sporty driving experience by SUV standards. Responsive handling and quick throttle response make it enjoyable to drive.
The Nissan Pathfinder offers almost sedan-like acceleration. The 4x2 models with the manual transmission are capable of 0-60 mph acceleration times of only 7.6 seconds. Our SE 4x4 was equipped with the automatic transmission. Nonetheless, with 240 horsepower at 6,000 rpm, it produced 0-60 times in the mid-8 second range, vastly more spirited than most foot-dragging SUVs. Throttle tip-in was a bit sensitive, however, so we had to train our feet not to lurch away from intersections.
The Pathfinder is a capable off-road vehicle as well. It's built for rugged terrain and is ready to go anywhere, especially if you order the limited-slip differential.
2002 Nissan Pathfinder Final Word
Nissan's Pathfinder delivers quick acceleration performance. It is a modern, all-purpose sport-utility of the first order, delivering comfort, toughness and that tall, looking-down-atcha stature that SUV buyers value so highly.
Find used inventory of the 2002 Nissan Pathfinder in your area. We have thousands of used vehicle listings around the country.
New Car Quick Quote
Find more information on Nissan vehicles
- 2002 Nissan Pathfinder Specs
- 2002 Nissan Pathfinder Colors
- 2002 Nissan Pathfinder Pictures
- 2002 Nissan Pathfinder Safety
- 2002 Nissan Pathfinder Prices
- Nissan Pathfinder Rebates
- Nissan Pathfinder Generations
- 2012 Nissan Pathfinder Reviews
- 2011 Nissan Pathfinder Reviews
- 2010 Nissan Pathfinder Reviews
- 2009 Nissan Pathfinder Reviews
- 2008 Nissan Pathfinder Reviews
- 2007 Nissan Pathfinder Reviews
- 2006 Nissan Pathfinder Reviews
- Affiliate Program
- |Advertising Opportunities
- |Buy Auto Leads
- |About Us
- |More Info
- |Need Help?
- |Mobile
- |Terms of Use
- |Privacy
- |Jobs
CARSDIRECT IS AN INTERNET BRANDS COMPANY. COPYRIGHT 1999-2012 CARSDIRECT.COM, INC.