Nissan Pathfinder auto 2014 review

Nissan's Pathfinder is back in a newer than all-new guise for 2014, with the new R52 generation sharing little more than its name with the previous R51 model.

Unlike the past three generations and the nameplate's 28 year history, the new Pathfinder casts aside its "proper off-roader" status in favour of a bitumen-bias with an ultra-flexible seven-seat cabin that Nissan Australia’s new boss Peter Jones describes as "perfect for families".

Targeting existing family favourites such as the Ford Territory, Toyota Kluger, Holden Captiva 7, Mazda CX-9 and the Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Sorento twins, the US-developed and produced new Pathfinder has its work cut out for it in this company.

Value

Explore the 2014 Nissan Pathfinder range

• Nissan Pathfinder auto 2014 review
• Nissan Pathfinder 4WD 2014 review
• Nissan Pathfinder 2014 review: snapshot
• Nissan Pathfinder 2014 review
• Nissan Pathfinder ST-L 2014 review
• Nissan Pathfinder Ti 4WD 2014 review

This personality shift is mirrored by the new Pathfinder’s pricing, with a six-tier model lineup moving from the previous model’s $48,890-$76,390 price spread to a more affordable $39,990-$64,890.

The familiar ST, ST-L and Ti spec levels remain, but a 3.5-litre petrol V6 replaces the all-diesel previous lineup, and each is now available with a cheaper front-wheel drivetrain for the first time, offering a $4000-$4300 saving over 4WD equivalents. 

Kicking off with the $39,990 2WD ST ($44,290 4WD), the base grade comes with soft cloth interior trim, tri-zone climate control reversing camera and rear sensors, seven-inch multimedia screen with 2GB of storage and six speakers, Bluetooth phone and audio, tilt and reach steering adjustment, power front seat adjustment, auto headlights, four 12 volt power sockets, hill-assist, proximity keys and 18 inch alloys.

The $50,290 2WD ST-L ($54,290 4WD) adds leather trim, front seat heaters and an opening sunroof up front and a panoramic glass roof for the rear two rows, auto-dimming interior mirror, heated exterior mirrors and front fog lights.

The $60,790 2WD Ti model ($64,890 4WD) gains tri-zone entertainment with twin multimedia screens in the rear joining an eight-inch front screen with satnav (optional on ST-L), 13 speaker Bose audio with 9GB of storage. The Ti also comes with the Around View Monitor (optional on ST-L) system with cameras covering the entire vehicle perimeter, a powered tailgate, front seat cooling and driver’s seat memory and 20 inch alloys. 

Design

The previous model’s slab-sided, separate chassis design has made way for a more aerodynamic monocoque shape that sits neatly within Nissan’s more recent designs. Underlining its urban intent, the new Pathfinder shares much of its underpinnings with the upcoming Altima sedan, but rides on a 124mm longer 2900mm wheelbase.

The resulting cabin length has helped to create the Pathfinder’s headline act interior, which is likely the new segment champion in terms of overall space and flexibility.

The back two rows of seats use Nissan’s EZ Flex system, with the centre row folding and sliding brilliantly with one latch, which leaves more room for third row ingress/egress than any other seven-seat SUV that comes to mind. A further unique dimension of this system is its ability to function with an ISOFIX-mounted baby seat (coming soon to Australian shelves) in place.

Like most modern seven seaters, the centre row can slide fore and aft to allow for different leg-lengths, and the backrests also recline for all passengers.

The second row is positioned quite high, which along with a low beltline and large window openings should ensure a good view for younger passengers, who can choose from six cupholders and four bottleholders in the second row alone. There are two more cupholders for the third row, plus ventilation, and enough head and potential legroom to rival the giant Y62 Patrol.

One hangover of its US-origin though is that the 40 per cent portion of the 60/40 second row split is on the driver’s side, meaning two out of three second-row positions are displaced when accessing the third-row access form the kerbside. 

Both rearward rows can be folded flat to create a cavernous 2259-litre area, and a useful 400-plus litres plus remains with the third row upright, including a discrete under-floor area.

Such attention to interior flexibility has resulted in a spacesaver spare being mounted beneath the rear, but is countered by the inclusion of a puncture repair kit to give you at least some chance of continuing on four full-sized wheels in the event of a flat.

Engine / Transmission

Shifting from an all-diesel lineup to a single petrol option, the new Pathfinder offers no real surprises under the bonnet. Similar to the Kluger, Nissan has equipped the Pathfinder with the tried-and-tested 190kW/325Nm VQ35 3.5 litre petrol V6 across all variants, with a CVT auto as the sole transmission. Gone is the previous models’ dual-range transfer case, with 4WD models using a version of Nissan’s All Mode selectable 4WD system, which can hold drive at 50:50 front-rear at speeds up to 40km/h.

Official combined fuel consumption is 9.9L/100km for 2WD models and 10.2 for 4WD variants, with both undercutting the petrol Territory’s 10.6 and Kluger’s 11.0-11.6L/100km figures.

An more efficient turbodiesel option would be handy in a vehicle of this size – as offered by Territory, Captiva 7, Santa Fe and Sorento – but the petrol-electric hybrid model due here before mid-2014 should help to bridge this gap.

Both 2WD and 4WD versions of the new Pathfinder carry an impressive 2700kg braked tow rating, with a button-activated Tow Mode that adjusts the CVT’s shift behaviour to suit heavy loads.

Safety

All models come with a full five-star ANCAP safety rating, with six airbags that include curtain airbags for all three rows, plus ABS, stability and traction control, and tyre-pressure monitoring.

Driving

The Pathfinder offers a significantly more car-like drive experience than the sometimes cumbersome Kluger, Santa Fe, Sorento and CX-9, with body movements in all directions well contained, and its tall stance only apparent when you’re really pushing.

We covered plenty of rough rural roads on test, and the ride is less cosseting than the above, but most will appreciate the surety of the Pathfinder’s handling and the resulting impression of a much smaller car from behind the wheel.

The 3.5-litre V6 has ample ability to swallow hills at speed, and the CVT auto is refreshingly quiet and refined in its operation.

Despite its newfound urban bias, the Pathfinder still has a useful 165mm ground clearance, which is enough for most fire trails and suburban median strips.

Unless you plan to spend a lot of time on snow or sand, the 2WD will suffice for most buyers. Nissan expects that most Pathfinder buyers will choose this option, and save themselves at least $4000, 65kg and 0.3L/100km in the process.

Verdict

As a versatile, subtly-styled people-moving SUV, the new Pathfinder does an excellent job. It’s not particularly exciting or efficient, but it offers value (particularly in ST) and excellent functionality that is sure to ruffle the feathers of its new rivals.