All new Pathfinder guilty of identity theft

New for ’06: Satellite radio available, SE Comfort Package gets a six-disc CD changer, leather seating option for Off-Road and SE trims.

Pathfinder arrived on the scene 20 years ago as a two-door SUV riding on Nissan’s small pickup truck chassis. Later, Nissan added two more doors and built the Pathfinder on a unibody construction, improving the on-road ride but removing it from the ranks of worthy off-road vehicles.

For 2005, Nissan switched back to a full-frame platform build, using the superb F-Alpha truck ladder frame from the Nissan Titan pickup as the underpinnings for the Xterra, Frontier and the Pathfinder. Totally redesigned and re-engineered, the Nissan Pathfinder was styled to resemble its full-size big brother, Pathfinder Armada — right down to the prominent chrome grille bars and Nissan logo. Thankfully Nissan designers didn’t carryover the Armada’s ’59 American Motors Cross Country station wagon roof lump above the reverse C pillar.

The third-generation Pathfinder uses a larger, 4.0-liter, 270-horsepower V-6 engine derived from the 3.5-liter V-6 that powers most Nissan and Infiniti models. Power was more than adequate for the hefty 4700-pound SUV. Nissan recommends premium fuel and, judging by my test week average of just over 13 miles per gallon, you’ll be a frequent visitor to the pump. The performance notwithstanding, the all-aluminum engine returns a noisy growl under hard acceleration. Nissan says the Pathfinder with four-wheel drive will tow a trailer weighing 6,000 pounds.

Buyers have a choice of four Pathfinder trim levels, each with either two-wheel or four-wheel drive. Base S starts at $26,005 including destination charges; add $2,000 for four-wheel drive. The high-end LE with four-wheel drive starts at $36,305. In between are the SE and SE Off-Road. All are equipped with a five-speed automatic transmission with smooth, precise shifting, executed by the computerized engine management system.

All models come standard with air-conditioning, cruise control, power windows and locks, a covered center console with storage, AM/FM/CD stereo, a full set of analog gauges, alloy wheels and a roof rack. Standard safety features include stability control and four-wheel antilock disc brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution and BrakeAssist. The LE model adds side airbags for the front and side curtain airbags for all three rows. These are optional on all other models. NHTSA crash test results were impressive at five stars for front and rear side-impact crashes, and four out of five stars for front-occupant protection in head-on collisions. Rollover-resistance rating is three out of five stars.

The pricing for Pathfinder is a bit ambitious — with options a $40,000 window sticker isn’t unusual. The larger, more powerful Armada SE starts at $35,400, and while you won’t ride on leather seats or have a sunroof, the Armada tows 9,100 pounds, offers acres more room and is therefore the better buy. Then again, you might not want that large a vehicle.

Inside, three rows of seats are standard with multiple folding positions for the second row. Maneuvering the seats is easier in the Pathfinder than in any vehicle we’ve tested. Legroom is a problem though, with the third row only able to accommodate small children and the second row extremely tight for adults unless the front-seat occupants adjust their seats forward.

The backside of the third row is finished with hard plastic making it usable as a cargo floor when folded flat. The second row has a hidden storage area underneath. There’s plenty of cupholders and doors have wide storage bins.

The dash, while plain, is functional with a large round speedometer and tachometer prominently displayed beyond the familiar three-spoke steering wheel with metallic trim. Buttons on the lower dash operate the outside mirror and adjustable pedals. The ignition key is on the dash and the stereo sits on the upper side of the center sack with climate controls fitted below. Knobs and buttons are easy to use and well deciphered. I liked the small tray on top of the center stack, an ideal place for sunglasses, loose change or other small pocket items. But, for my taste, Nissan still uses too much hard plastic in their interiors.

For those of us with long limbs, the driver’s seat position is tight and generally uncomfortable. Small- to medium-sized adults won’t complain, but this too-tall driver appreciates the room afforded behind the wheel of the larger Armada.

Around town and at highway speeds, the Pathfinder provides a surprisingly comfortable ride, precise steering, predictable cornering and excellent braking. Off road, sophisticated equipment like hill-descent control lets the Pathfinder to crawl down steep inclines sure footedly. The All-Mode electronic transfer case allows the driver to switch from two-wheel drive to auto four-wheel drive, locked four-wheel drive and four-wheel drive low with a flip of the dial. Hill Start Assist enables the driver to stop on a slope without rolling backwards. Off-road driving proved the Pathfinder more than capable, handling rugged boulder-strewn desert terrain with confidence and poise.

The new Pathfinder is a genuinely capable mid-sized SUV, both on- and off-road. Exterior styling is downright handsome, however the interior falls short of vehicles like the Toyota 4Runner. Driving, handling characteristics and performance are impressive. But as good as the Pathfinder is, I wished for a little more refinement (and room) inside, better gas mileage and few bucks off the price.

Return to the Auto Reviews home page.