When it was first introduced way back in 1986, the Pathfinder rode on Nissan's small truck chassis giving it the kind of bulletproof hardware and rugged image that consumers craved in an SUV. That configuration, and a distinctive two-door design, made it a hit and put the Pathfinder squarely on the SUV map. But as tastes changed, so did the Pathfinder. Nissan eventually added two more doors and moved to a more paved road-friendly unibody design to help the Pathfinder appeal to a wider range of drivers. Its popularity continued, but for those who liked the original Pathfinder because of its go-anywhere, do-anything capability, the image was somewhat tarnished.
Nissan fully redesigned the Pathfinder last year. In doing so, it switched out the unibody design for a return to a truck-based platform. This time, the underpinnings are related to the full-size Titan pickup. Although this third-generation Pathfinder is longer, taller and wider than before, Nissan's engineers managed to keep its overall length down compared to its competitors. A third-row seat is standard equipment, putting the Pathfinder in the same league as most of its peers. The standard 4.0-liter V6 puts out an impressive 270 horsepower and 291 pound-feet of torque.
The Pathfinder's four-wheel independent suspension attempts to balance ride comfort and off-road toughness, but ultimately sides with the latter. On pavement, the ride is still smooth for the most part, but gets a bit sloppy over bumps. Handling is decent, too, but when the corners tighten up, the body rolls and the tires squeal, reminding you that this Pathfinder is related to the Xterra, not the Murano. With a maximum ground clearance of as much as 9.1 inches on 4WD off-road models, steep approach and departure angles, and an underbody design that tucks everything underneath up above the frame rails, the Pathfinder is right at home in the dirt. A Hill Descent Control (HDC) system maintains a low speed (roughly 3.5 mph) on steep descents, while a Hill Start Assist (HSA) system eliminates the need for fancy footwork on steep climbs by holding the vehicle in place as you go from the brake to the throttle. It also offers four-wheel electronic limited-slip control that moderates the power to all four wheels individually for maximum traction and a low-speed throttle map that offers more precise control while creeping over boulders.
Now as capable off-road as anything in its class, the Pathfinder has returned to its roots, while its standard seven-passenger seating allow it to keep up in the cutthroat world of midsize SUVs. Unfortunately, it sacrifices the nimble handling of the old Pathfinder in the name of off-road capability. And although its cabin is kid-friendly and well equipped, it's not sized well for adults, and build and materials quality is inconsistent. There are many choices in the midsize SUV class, and we recommend that you try some of them (Dodge Durango, Ford Explorer, Toyota 4Runner) before deciding on a Pathfinder.
The four-door, seven-passenger Pathfinder offers four levels of trim to suit varying desires for simplicity or luxury. The base XE puts together the usual list of expected amenities like 16-inch alloy wheels power accessories, keyless entry, a CD stereo and cloth seating for seven. The SE adds slightly larger tires, foglights and a power-adjustable driver seat, in addition to a longer options list. The SE Off-Road trim comes standard with heavy-duty Rancho shocks, underbody skid plates and even larger tires than the standard SE. The top-of-the-line LE is upgraded with upscale amenities like 17-inch wheels, a sunroof, heated leather seating and a Bose audio system. Optional items include a navigation system and a DVD entertainment system.
The Pathfinder comes standard with stability control and four-wheel antilock disc brakes with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution and BrakeAssist. LE models come standard with side airbags for front occupants and side curtain airbags that protect all three rows. These are optional on all other models. In NHTSA testing, the Pathfinder earned four out of five stars for front-occupant protection in head-on impacts. Five stars were awarded for protection of both front and rear occupants in side-impact crashes.
The Pathfinder's large overall size allows for good passenger room in the first and second rows, while fold-flat seats give it a maximum cargo capacity of 79.2 cubic feet, about average for this class. There's plenty of space up front for the driver and front passenger, but the second-row seats are snug when it comes to toe and shoulder room. As in most midsize SUVs, the Pathfinder's two-passenger third-row seat is for kids only. The cargo area on SE and SE Off-Road is coated in plastic to allow the transport of wet or muddy items.
The V6 provides ample power for just about any type of driving. Ride quality is generally smooth, but the Pathfinder feels a bit sloppy over bumps. During normal driving, body motions are well controlled and the steering is nicely weighted. Tighter cornering results in more body roll than we'd like, however. Off the pavement, these compromises turn into advantages. The same suspension that has it fumbling in the suburbs gives it plenty of travel when negotiating deep ruts. Impressive as the Nissan is in the dirt, SUVs like the Toyota 4Runner and Ford Explorer offer more balanced dynamics overall.
The 2006 model is the third generation of the Pathfinder and now offers third-row seating, plus a new 4.0-liter V-6 engine that produces 270 horsepower. The all-new platform rides on a full-size Titan pickup base.
As families grow, there are more tendencies to explore areas other than shopping center parking lots. The SE Off Road model is ideal for this purpose. It is equipped with an automatic 4WD transmission that features a “super wide” gear ratio for good acceleration. This system has is an advanced off-road traction system that includes Hill Decent Control and Hill Start Assist plus 4-Wheel Limited-Slip, which helps limit slip when starting on low traction surfaces. When the HDC is engaged, it allows the driver to stop on a slope, release the brake pedal and not roll back for up to two seconds. The new HDC system allows for going downhill without the need for constant application on the brake pedal.
For those interested in towing, this SUV can pull 6,000 pounds. The base price is $28,500, but numerous options brought the total to $36,330 on the tester.
My Pathfinder came with 16-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, which was the first thing that caught my eye. During my investigation, I found it had automatic headlights, a universal Homelink system, a Bose audio system AM/FM six-CD disc-player connected to nine speakers, and audio controls on the steering wheel. It also had a DVD entertainment system with a 7-inch color monitor. The leather seats with leather door trim plus the heated front seats were all included in the option package, making me feel comfortable during my test-drive week.
The additional third-row gives this Pathfinder comfortable seven-passenger seating that, I’m told, can be folded down into 64 different seating and cargo configurations.
Although the Pathfinder is a midsize SUV, it bears a strong resemblance to the larger Nissan Armada that has an angled strut-style grille and powerful overall presence yet straightforward functionality.
The new exterior features on the Pathfinder include a new roof rack design with integrated forward and rear grips and an updated tailgate design with flip-up hatch roof opening. It also has heated outside mirrors and a power slide/tilt sunroof.
Because the Pathfinder now has a longer wheelbase, it provides more interior ride comfort than the previous model. The longer wheelbase allows greater overall length and the short front and rear overhangs allow for better maneuverability both in around-town and off-road driving.
It’s not so much the off-road driving that is of concern, but how well it holds up while on road and in an accident. This SUV includes Zone Body construction with front and rear crumple zones, plus the Nissan Advanced Airbag System, featuring dual-stage front airbags, seat-belt sensors and three-point seat belts for all rear seat occupants, including the second-row center position. Naturally, the child safety LATCH system is included.
If you’re interested in this vehicle, you’re not just limited to the SE Off Road model. This Pathfinder offers the choice of four models, all with the 4.0-liter V-6 engine and automatic transmission but with the choice of 4x2 and 4x4 configurations. Another choice is the option of 17-inch wheels.
If your family is growing bigger and you want to explore the great outdoors, the 2006 Pathfinder is an ideal answer.
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