Driving Impressions

Nissan Pathfinder always surprises us with its sporty performance and handling. The throttle is very responsive and the 3.5-liter V6 delivers quick acceleration performance. It's quick off the line and has little trouble beating traffic out of the gate. Pathfinder's drive-by-wire electronic throttle control seems overly sensitive at tip-in, but we quickly learned to use a soft touch when taking off. Once underway, the throttle is quick and very responsive. There's plenty of performance for passing on two-lane roads or merging quickly into fast traffic. With 240 horsepower at 6000 rpm, a Pathfinder 4x4 accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in the mid-8 second range, more spirited than most SUVs. The sporty driving experience extends to the handling. Pathfinder responds quickly to input from steering wheel, making it enjoyable to drive. It feels lighter on its feet than most SUVs, not as heavy and ponderous when cornering. This makes it easy to move through traffic and enjoyable on on-ramps or rural roads. Pathfinder rides well. It feels more refined than the Nissan Xterra, but a little less refined than the all-new Toyota 4Runner. Pathfinder has been with us for awhile, but is holding up very well. The brakes work smoothly and are easy to operate. Drums are used on the rear, but ABS is standard. Pathfinder LE 4x4 comes with the push-button All-Mode 4WD system. Twist a big retro knob to select 2WD, Auto, 4Hi, or 4Lo. SE 4x4 comes with a traditional part-time four-wheel-drive system with shift-on-the-fly and a two-speed transfer case. 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. We drove the current-generation Pathfinder at a rugged off-road course in Canada and were impressed with its ability to climb and descend steep, rocky sections. It has good suspension articulation and good approach and departure angles. We wouldn't hesitate to drive one at an off-road function nor would we hesitate to drive one to our favorite trout stream.

Final Word

Nissan Pathfinder delivers quick acceleration. It is a modern, all-purpose sport-utility of the first order, delivering comfort, toughness and utility. It feels light on its feet and is a good teammate for the daily commute. Its interior is comfortable and attractive, with nice materials and easy-to-operate designed switchgear. Like the Toyota 4Runner, the Pathfinder uses a live rear axle and offers genuine off-road capability. It doesn't match the refinement, size, or capability of the all-new 4Runner, but it's priced lower.