Nissan Pathfinder

Nissan Pathfinder at a glance

The name means "trailblazer" or "scout", a hint at the model's intended abilities. More Nissan models are listed in our Nissan catalogue, and a smaller Nissan SUV is covered in our Nissan X-Trail article.

History

The Pathfinder's career began in 1985 with a two-door body-on-frame off-roader, which later gained a four-door version. The second generation, R50, followed in 1995. The third, R51, was unveiled at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in 2004 and was again a full body-on-frame off-roader. The fourth generation, R52, arrived in late 2012 and had become an ordinary unibody crossover without a separate frame. The fifth generation brought bold styling, a modern interior for seven or eight occupants and a naturally aspirated V6.

Fifth generation (R53): exterior

The 2021 Pathfinder looks completely different from its predecessor. Only the familiar chrome V-motion element in the lower part of the grille is recognisable - and compared with the fourth generation it is wider and thicker at the bottom. Buyers can choose a black grille or one with chrome inserts, with the Nissan badge in the centre.

The most striking elements at the front are the two-level, C-shaped lights. The slim upper section looks almost like eyelashes and serves as the LED daytime running light; the lower section holds the main headlights, which are fully LED. The front bumper takes up a lot of space, with bulging sides and a small lip at the bottom. Unusually, the fog lamps are placed on either side of a large secondary grille rather than at the outer corners of the bumper. There is plastic underbody protection and two towing hooks, and steel protection is available as an option. A massive, upright bonnet emphasises the front.

In profile, the length of the car makes the third row obvious. Semicircular plastic trims on the wheel arches add character, and chrome is used sparingly - a moulding along the bottom of the doors and a line below the windows. Nissan kept lines and creases to a minimum; the most noticeable are small recesses in the front and rear wings near the lights. The Pathfinder is offered in one-tone or two-tone paint, with 14 colours to choose from. Ground clearance is a modest 181 mm. The door-mounted mirrors look small on such a big body, but they have LED indicators, electric adjustment, memory, power folding and heating. Base versions ride on 18-inch alloy wheels and more expensive ones on 20-inch wheels.

At the rear, large "PATHFINDER" letters run across the full width of the tailgate. The LED tail lights stretch outwards and are linked by a horizontal line; part of each light is on the body and part on the tailgate. A small spoiler with an LED brake light adds a sporty touch. The two-piece bumper has a black or silver centre insert, and there are rear fog lamps, a rear camera, a number-plate recess and a black diffuser.

Interior

The cabin stands out for its materials, modern design, generous space and large luggage area. Upholstery is perforated leatherette or premium semi-aniline leather. Higher trims have a panoramic roof with a power sliding section.

The driver faces a handsome flat-bottomed three-spoke multifunction wheel and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster; more expensive versions add a 10.8-inch head-up display. Ergonomics, build quality and materials are good. Nissan also improved sound insulation with an acoustic laminated windscreen, thicker side glass and 60% more sound absorption in the engine bay.

Equipment includes adjustable ambient lighting, three-zone climate control and optional heated and ventilated seats in the first two rows. The NissanConnect infotainment system has an 8- or 9-inch screen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and can be paired with a 13-speaker Bose audio system. Options include an improved surround-view camera, Door-to-Door Navigation, a Wi-Fi hotspot and wireless charging.

Below the touchscreen are air vents and a model climate control panel with physical controls, which time has shown to be more practical than touch controls: two rotary knobs, an airflow button, a small monochrome screen and a heated-steering-wheel button, plus switches for seat heating and cooling. The two-tier tunnel carries a compact gear selector, the electric parking brake and the drive-mode selector on the upper level, with storage space and wireless charging below, two cupholders and a large armrest; higher trims can heat or cool its contents.

Getting into the back is much easier thanks to EZ Flex seats: a single button folds and slides the second-row outer seat (or the bench) forward, and the driver has a duplicate button. The Pathfinder now seats eight. The third row takes three passengers, although the wheel arches limit space - usable rather than luxurious. In the second row, two captain's chairs can replace the three-seat bench, and in that case a near full-size centre console with cupholders is fitted between them. The luggage area holds 470 litres behind the third row (SAE standard), 1,274 litres with the middle row folded and over 2,000 litres with both rear rows folded 60/40.

Engine and transmission

The R53 is powered by an aluminium, naturally aspirated 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine with direct injection, variable valve timing, forged steel connecting rods, a variable intake manifold and 24 valves. It produces 212 kW (288 PS) and 351 Nm. Fuel consumption is not low, as you would expect from a car of this size.

The V6 is paired with a ZF nine-speed automatic with paddle shifters, replacing the CVT used before - a change that may reassure buyers who disliked the CVT. The intelligent all-wheel-drive system uses a multi-plate clutch that can send up to 50% of torque to the rear wheels. There are seven drive modes: Standard, Eco, Sport, Snow, Mud/Rut, Sand and Tow.

Chassis

The new generation uses the Renault-Nissan D platform carried over from its predecessor, with a transverse engine and a reinforced unibody made largely of high-strength steel. Suspension is independent all round with anti-roll bars: MacPherson struts at the front and a multi-link rear axle. Despite its size the Pathfinder is easy to drive, thanks to a dual-pinion electric power steering system that Nissan says gives a sportier feel in different conditions. All four wheels have ventilated disc brakes, supported by ABS, EBD and other electronic systems.

Safety and equipment

Nissan Safety Shield 360 is standard, including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert and rear automatic braking, together with ten airbags and rear-seat occupant monitoring. Higher versions add ProPILOT Assist adaptive cruise control with lane centring, a front centre airbag between the front seats, the digital instrument cluster, traffic-sign recognition and navigation.

In the United States the R53 was offered in four trim levels: S, SV, SL and Platinum. The base S already has ten airbags, 18-inch alloy wheels, a 7-inch digital instrument display, full LED lights, heated front seats, three-zone climate control, electric windows, stability control, blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking and lane departure warning. The Platinum adds ProPILOT Assist, 20-inch wheels, a panoramic sunroof, leather upholstery, ventilated front seats, the head-up display, the 9-inch infotainment screen and the 12.3-inch digital instruments.

What owners say

Owners of earlier Pathfinder generations praise their reliability, rough-road ability, space and tall ride height. The car is often bought by people who like its rugged design, high driving position and all-wheel drive, and it is used for fishing, hunting and holidays. On the downside, maintenance can be expensive, there are occasional engine problems and fuel consumption is high; brake pads wear quickly because of the car's weight.

Rivals

The Pathfinder competes with the Honda Pilot, Toyota Highlander, Kia Telluride, Hyundai Palisade, Ford Explorer, Volvo XC90 and Toyota Land Cruiser Prado.