Review: Pathfinder shows us the way to go home
The Pathfinder is in its fourth generation. For 2017, the upgrades are significant.
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It’s time for me to throw in the towel.
I’ve always preferred autos—coupes, sedans, convertibles, sports cars, station wagons—to pickup trucks and SUVs. That’s still the case in theory, but when it comes to hitting the road, it’s time to concede that an SUV would be a better choice.
The realization came earlier this week when it was time to start packing the car—as in our midsize family sedan—for the trip home from Florida to Boston.
It also was time to write a review of the final test car I’ll have while in Florida this year, a 2017 Nissan Pathfinder midsize SUV.
As we were driving the Pathfinder around town, the reality of the types of vehicles populating our roadways grew overwhelming.
When possible, I often try to switch lanes and even change speeds to get out of a convoy of SUVs and be able to follow another sedan to see the road ahead more clearly.
With light trucks—the industry’s name for pickups and SUVs—now outselling cars two-to-one, it’s time to admit defeat. It seemed impossible to be following anything other than an SUV, crossover, pickup, or larger truck.
So, when Mrs. G. asked, “What are you going to say about the Pathfinder?” I said without pausing, “I’d like to be driving this back to Boston.”
STYLISH INTERIOR: The Pathfinder’s cabin and dash are upscale and show a family resemblance to its Infinity cousin, the QX60.
Our seven-passenger Pathfinder was the top-of-the-line Platinum trim level with four-wheel-drive. As such, it’s getting into territory where a Nissan-Infiniti family buyer could be comparing our Pathfinder with the Infiniti QX60.
The Pathfinder checked all but one of the boxes when we were thinking of possible options that we’d use. That was automatic high beams, which we enjoy using on some late-night drives in our own car.
Still, the Pathfinder, despite the Platinum trim, didn’t scream luxury.
Our test vehicle had an MSRP of $44,460 (including destination). The only extra-cost option, inexplicably, was a set of $225 carpeted floor mats, bringing the final price to $44,685.
The Pathfinder is in its fourth generation, which was introduced in 2013. For 2017, the upgrades are significant.
Among them:
- An upgraded V-6 engine that now produces 284 horsepower and 259 lb.-ft. of torque.
- A reworked suspension and electro-hydraulic steering that makes the vehicle more responsive.
- Up to 6,000-pound towing capacity. “We’ve found that midsize SUV owners really want the ability to tow two-axle recreational trailers, whether for watercraft, flatbeds, or campers,” says Michael Bunce, Nissan vice president of product planning. New Englanders will forgive the omission of snowmobiles. The trailer hitch and harness came standard.
- The new family V-motion Nissan grille with boomerang-shaped headlights and LED headlights is included in the Platinum trim. The whole effect is a nicer looking Pathfinder.
- A full suite of safety features, including forward collision warning and emergency braking (sadly only available on the Platinum trim). A bird’s-eye view (Around View Monitor) helps parking and the system also has moving object detection.
While drones are popular among hobbyists, drivers don’t like transmissions that drone, which was a characteristic of early CVTs. Nissan has done a good job of eliminating that, while adding something Nissan calls D-Step Logic Control to simulate gear shifts.
Pathfinder’s four-wheel-drive system has three settings. It can be locked in 2WD, making the Pathfinder a front-wheel-drive vehicle. Auto will send power to the rear wheels as needed, and 4WD keeps power going to all four corners. All trim levels have hill start assist for starting on steep inclines while 4WD models also have standard hill descent for traveling slowly down rough, steep terrain.
A panoramic sunroof is standard on the Platinum trim. The front section retracts while the fixed rear section allows light for the second and third rows.
We’ve driven vehicles with all manner of seat adjustments. We found the Pathfinder’s seats to be firm with eight-way driver adjustment and four-way passenger adjustment. Front seats were heated and cooled while the second-row seats were heated.
On the road, the Pathfinder was smooth. Acceleration was effortless, braking solid, and the upgrades to steering and suspension made this a strong handling SUV.
EPA gas mileage ratings are 19 city, 26 highway, and 21 combined on regular unleaded fuel.
The console didn’t have lots of storage, just a small tray in front and a large box-with-tray under the center armrest. It had power outlets and two USB ports.
In between were two cupholders with an interesting twist. They’ve been configured to accommodate a travel mug with a handle.
At first glance, the center stack seemed overwhelming, but buttons are intuitive, Bluetooth easy to set up, and navigation turned out to be user-friendly.
So, as you read this in today’s Globe, know I would be happy to be driving it on the highways to home.
Bill Griffith can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @MrAutoWriter.
2017 Nissan Pathfinder Platinum 4WD
THE BASICS
Price, base/as tested (with destination): $44,460/$44,685. Fuel economy, EPA estimated: 19 city/26 highway/21 combined. Fuel economy, Globe observed: 23.2. Drivetrain: 3.5-liter V-6, CVT, driver-selectable 4WD. Body: 7-passenger, unibody, midsize SUV.
THE SPECIFICS
Horsepower: 284. Torque: 259 lb.-ft. Overall length: 198.5 in. Wheelbase: 114.2 in. Height: 69.6 in. (70.2 with roof rails) Width: 77.2 in. Curb weight: 4,660 lbs.
THE GOOD
Smooth powertrain, comfortable interior and front two rows of seating, towing ability, 3-row access.
THE BAD
Tight third row seats, though the passenger side seat in the second row slides and flips for easier entry. Limited cargo capacity, no auto high beam option.
THE BOTTOM LINE
We’d gladly take it on a 2,200-mile road trip.
ALSO CONSIDER
Buick Enclave, Chevy Traverse, Dodge Durango, Ford Explorer, Honda Pilot, Hyundai Santa Fe, Kia Sorento, Mazda CX-9, Toyota Highlander.
