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After over 28,000 miles of service it's clear that the Pathfinder is as popular with our staff as it's proving to be with buyers. We did have two minor problems. High speed vibration resulted in the tires having to be re-balanced, and the left side rear power window switch went dead.
The 270-horsepower 4.0-liter V-6 was alive with power for passing and hill climbing. But the price you pay is marginal fuel economy of 16.4 miles per gallon. A very typical result for a heavy body-on-frame SUV.
The SE Off-Road package delivers a well controlled if stiff ride. The roomy interior with three rows of seats proves both comfortable and easily converted to hauling lots of cargo. And with its high-low four-wheel drive system you can take that cargo almost anywhere.
So, even with its appetite, the Nissan Pathfinder is a very fine mid-size SUV.
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Nissan has a solid winner in their all-new Pathfinder. It outsells its predecessor by a wide margin and is easily Nissan's most popular SUV. Our Pathfinder, in SE Off-Road trim, has also been a popular choice with our staff, racking up nearly 18,000 miles in 11 months.
We've had two minor problems. First, early on we noticed wheel vibration at highway speeds as if the tires were out of balance. And second, the driver's left rear power window switch went dead. Our dealer fixed both promptly.
The 270-horsepower 4.0-liter V-6 also responds promptly, and is delivering 16.4 miles per gallon. That average has been almost the same since day one, and while typical for a body-on-frame SUV, it really hurts at the pump.
But on drives long and short, the Pathfinder rewards with a sturdy ride, fine comfort, and exceptional functionality. Plus, when the going gets tough, the Pathfinder's high-low four-wheel drive system makes it almost unstoppable. Even with its appetite, it's a great mid-size SUV.
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While there has been a lot of bad press about sport-utility vehicles of late, it's had far less effect on their popularity, especially all-new designs like the 2005 Nissan Pathfinder. It outsells its predecessor by 3 to 1. Our Pathfinder, in SE off-road trim, is popular with our staff too, racking up 12,000 miles in less than 5 months.
The only problem we've encountered is some wheel shimmy at highway speeds. And our only real annoyance is that the center console mounted DVD player for the rear entertainment system cannot actually be reached from the back seat. Obviously this was a bit of an afterthought.
The 270-horsepower 4.0-liter V-6 is delivering 16.3 miles per gallon. Not stellar, but about what you should expect from a real truck, body-on-frame SUV.
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We have no shortage of powerful feelings for this 2005 Nissan Pathfinder sport-utility in SE Off-Road trim. It has been with us for 3 months and just over 6500 miles. While a mid-size SUV, Pathfinder uses a frame adapted from the full-size Titan pickup truck. So Pathfinder has a real truck ride. A bit firm at times, but stable and flat. Right now we are noticing some wheel shimmy at highway speeds and it's getting worse as the miles go by.
Inside the spacious, well laid out cabin we've also noticed that on 90-plus degree days that the air conditioner has to struggle to keep up. Also, the DVD player for the rear seat entertainment system takes up too much center console storage space and is not accessible to those in back.
The 270-horsepower 4.0-liter V-6 is delivering 16.6 miles per gallon, or about what we expect from an SUV with the guts of a real truck.
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The 2005 Nissan Pathfinder sport-utility in SE Off-Road trim has been with us for two months and just over 4,000 miles. The Pathfinder is part of a trio of new mid-size Nissan trucks that includes the Frontier pickup and Xterra SUV. All are built on variations of the full-size Titan's frame. That's why our Pathfinder drives so sturdy and substantial, that is like a real truck. And it's powered like a real truck too, with a 4.0-liter 270-horsepower V-6. Although, with fuel economy of 16.9 miles per gallon, it is hardly frugal.
Still, Nissan has done a fine job of instilling the Pathfinder with a comfortable ride and predictable handling. And with standard ABS and stability control, and available front-impact and side-curtain airbags, the new Pathfinder is very family safe as well.
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