Nissan Pathfinder 2023 review: Ti

What does it look like?

The Pathfinder is a good-looking and serious family-mover. With that eighth seat, you could argue it’s really a mini-van masquerading as an SUV. This redesign sees a fuller, squared-off shape but the edges are sleek enough to deter any images of ‘bricky-ness’.

The large LED lights are nicely tapered and there’s a generous amount of black plastic moulding along the bottom of the car, which looks good on our model’s ‘Deep Ocean Blue Pearl’ paintwork, but it could be too much of a contrast on a lighter colour.

The interior is a far cry away from the dated look of previous models. The boxy shaping of the dashboard is proportional and looks solid. All of the sleek controls and dials are well-placed for easy-to-reach access.

There's a sense of refinement, too, with the softly padded touchpoints and shiny black accents found throughout the car. 

How does it drive?

Large and long, this car is. It feels clumsy at lower speeds and occasionally you can feel like you’re almost bunny-hopping because it’s so heavy.

It’s not until you get onto the open road that you appreciate the powerful 3.5-litre, V6 engine (202kW/340Nm).

It cruises once it gets going but don’t expect to be zipping through traffic in this.

The four-wheel drive drivetrain offers flexibility for families wanting it and it’s simple to switch it on via a rotary dial. 

The ride comfort is great and passengers will be cushioned even on a bumpy road. The Pathfinder can feel clumsy in turns at low speeds because of the weight that makes it feel like you’re really leaning into a corner.

The 360-degree view camera is much-needed on a car this size and I like how clear the image is. The dynamic guidelines and parking sensors also help take out any anxiety when you’re in a small car park.

How spacious is it?

Got it any bigger? No, seriously, the cabin is very roomy and the only row that doesn’t benefit from that sense of space is the third one (which, I would save just for the kids).

There’s ample headroom and legroom, so even the taller members of the family will be comfortable.

I love the storage throughout this car. There are deep drink bottle holders in the doors, multiple cupholders in each row, pockets, shelves, cubbies… you name it, and you’ll probably find it.

The boot has an okay amount of space when all three rows are in action (205 litres) and will suffice for the odd shopping trip but when you pop that last row down, it jumps up to 554 litres and that’s ample room for all of your gear. 

How easy is it to use every day?

Besides the sense of ‘this-is-huge’, it’s fairly easy to get around in. Everyone will enjoy the space and you might even reduce some of the in-house squabbles that can happen when siblings sit too close together!

The amenities in each row are most welcome. Up front, you have a lot of storage, dual-zone climate control and heated front seats. In the middle row, there are retractable sun blinds (my son’s favourite), map pockets, heated outboard seats, climate control and directional air vents.

Even the third row isn’t forgotten, with four cupholders and directional air vents. There are also multiple USB ports in each row, so everyone can stay charged up if they need to.

The powered tailgate is a handy feature, as is the level load space. I really like the underfloor storage, too – perfect for when you have small loose items that you don’t want rolling around in the back. Or just a handy spot to store wet wipes, sunscreen, umbrellas… anything that will make a roadie or sports day that much easier.

How safe is it?

The Pathfinder comes with some a healthy safety features list, like: AEB with pedestrian and cyclist detection and junction assist; forward collision warning, lane keeping aid, lane departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and trailer sway control.

It has nine airbags, including a front centre airbag and curtain airbags that cover all three rows. It has a maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating from testing done in 2022 – so it’s nice and fresh.

On the middle row, there are ISOFIX mounts on the outboard seats plus three top tether anchor points and with the right seats, you should be able to fit three side-by-side. You’ll also have no issue fitting a 0-4 rearward facing child seat.

The third row also features an ISOFIX mount on one outboard seat and a top tether anchor point, which adds some flexibility for growing families.

What’s the tech like?

The tech has been modernised inside, and it elevates the overall driving experience. The 9.0-inch touchscreen multimedia system is simple to use and has built-in satellite navigation (always a plus), wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto.

The instrument panel isn’t super customisable but the head-up display was a great feature this week.

There are multiple USB-A and USB-C ports in the car, plus two 12-volt sockets. Front seat occupants also get to enjoy the wireless charging pad, which means one less cable to worry about!

The luxury comforts are there, too, with heated seats in the front and the outboard positions in the middle row. The 13-speaker Bose audio system includes a dual subwoofer and it has such a crisp sound quality. You’ll be tempted to throw the windows down for a free-to-air concert. 

How much does it cost to own?

There are four models for the Pathfinder and our version is second from the top and has 4WD capability. The Ti will cost you $70,030, before on-road costs, and for all of its features, it’s competitive for the market. 

And it does have a stack of features! Our model has also been fitted with an optional tow bar, which adds $1911.23 to the price tag.

This is a bit of a gas guzzler, though. The official combined fuel cycle is 10L/100km but I managed 10.8L and that was after a lot of open-road driving.

I imagine urban dwellers will cough up more at the bowser, but I guess that’s the compromise for the size and power!

The Pathfinder comes with Nissan’s five-year/unlimited km warranty, whichever comes first, which is standard for the market.

You can pre-purchase either a three-, four- or five-year capped-price servicing plan and services average $516 on the five-year plan, which is competitive for this class. Servicing intervals are reasonable at every 12 months or 20,000km, whichever occurs first.

Verdict