Nissan Pathfinder Road Test

Nissan Pathfinder

Intelligent Key is very useful when loaded with shopping - with the key kept in your pocket or bag, just walking up to the car activates the unlocking mechanism and the door is ready to open. It also means less likelihood of losing the key. Once in the car the engine is started via a dial on the dash, at which point the seat, mirrors and fully-adjustable steering wheel move into their pre-set positions. Locking the car simply involves pushing a button on the door handle.

Whichever Pathfinder you chose, it will house a 2.5dCi, diesel engine that growls contentedly as it produces 171PS at 4,000rpm and 403Nm of torque at 2,000rpm. It takes 11.8 seconds to reach 62mph from standstill, which is not bad for a large car, and the top speed is 108mph using the 5-speed, automatic gearbox. Incidentally, the Trek doesn’t have the auto option but has a 6-speed manual ‘box instead - both are available on the Sport and Aventura.

Fuel consumption figures for the test car are posted as: 21.9mpg, 31.0mpg and 26.9mpg for the urban, extra-urban and combined respectively and the CO2 emission are 283g/km.

The Pathfinder may be labelled an SUV but unlike some, it isn’t a so-called ‘soft-roader’. To prove its off-road credentials, the Pathfinder has a low ratio setting as part of Nissan’s latest ALL MODE 4x4 system, which is selected via another dial at the base of the centre console. Other dial-up options are 2WD for normal road use, Auto for when there could be a traction problem and 4WD Hi for snow-covered or rough terrain. Meanwhile, Hill Descent Control/ Hill Start Assist is fitted to automatic models for 2007.

Added to the reassuring ALL MODE 4x4 system are ESP+, ABS with EBD, Nissan Brake Assist and Traction Control while inside, passive safety comes in the form of a full-length curtain airbag, front dual-stage airbags and side airbags. The front seats also have active head restraints to minimise whiplash injury.

I can see how some people could be put off by the muscular Pathfinder styling but they would be missing out on an extremely comfortable, practical, undemanding, family workhorse that has all the mod-cons for luxury driving.

Nissan Pathfinder