2005 Nissan Pathfinder Reviews

Ewan Kennedy reviews the 2005-2015 Nissan Pathfinder as a used buy. Nissan Pathfinder has had a mixed career in Australia since it arrived in 1986 as a tough, two-door 4WD wagon based on the Navara pickup. Then in 1995 Pathfinder became more of a soft-roader than 4WD. To cause further confusion, the Pathfinder from

Nissan Pathfinder is a reasonably tough off-road station wagon that has gained a lot of respect amongst Australian buyers in the 25 years it has been on the local market. Pathfinder is chiefly aimed at the suburban user, though you will find a fair number in the bush.Whereas the first models had a separate chassis, the full-wagon variant of the Nissan Pathfinder used a monocoque body. Just to cause further confusion, the latest one, from July 2005, has reverted to a full chassis for added toughness and is again virtually a Navara with extra seats. Though this time there is a fair bit of work in the passenger comfort field as well.Pathfinder began its Australian career in December 1986 as a two-door wagon. Following the sales success of the then-new concept, in October 1992 it became a four-door. These older models may be near their use-by date, though we still see some good ones on the road. November 1995 saw the introduction of a virtually all-new Pathfinder that was aimed more at the passenger market than the ute-with-more-seats buyer.We have experienced some body movement on rough roads in the second-generation models, the ones with the monocoque body. This can get worse as the vehicle ages, especially if it has led a hard life. This probably explains the decision to go back to the separate chassis in 2005 Pathfinders. So it’s probably best to regard the 1995 to 2005 models as soft-roaders rather than off-roaders.The earlier Nissan Pathfinders had good ride comfort for their class and era and have a reasonably spacious interior. There is less headroom than you might expect in the pre-2005 models, and legroom in the back could be better, though it’s certainly not cramped.The 2005 Nissan Pathfinder is significantly larger than the previous ones and has seating that’s good for four adults, five without too much leg rubbing. Headroom is good and the front seats are well shaped. The rear bench seat is reasonably comfortable. Boot space is large and easy to load.Most older Pathfinder models have a petrol engine with a capacity of 2.4 litres. A smooth 3.0-litre V6 was added to the lineup in 1993, it is a punchy unit, though the revs do have to be kept up to get the best from it. The V6’s capacity went up to 3.3 litres with the 1995 model change. The 2005 Pathfinder uses a big 4.0-litre V6 that has plenty of grunt.Diesel engines, though common in the Nissan Navara, were not offered in Pathfinders until the introduction of the new 2005 model. The unit in this Pathfinder is a healthy 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbo that punches out more that 400 Newton metres. As its introduction coincided with the start of fuel price rises in Australia it’s no surprise that many buyers have opted for this oil burning option and it’s already being sought out on the used-car market.Pathfinders with four-cylinder petrol engines have a five-speed manual gearbox. The 3.0-litre V6 can be ordered as a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic. The 3.3 engine comes only with a four-speed automatic as does the 4.0-litre petrol. The turbo-diesel again wins out, having a choice between a nice six-speed manual  and a modern five-speed auto.Early Pathfinders used an old style 4WD system, but from the 1999 Pathfinder it came with a sophisticated all-wheel drive system with the title of All-Mode. This 4WD layout offers the driver numerous choices: everything from rear-wheel-only drive for easy on-road use, to four-low for seriously tackling tough off-road terrain. The Auto setting juggles the amount of drive needed to each end of the Pathfinder according to conditions under the wheels.On-road the later Pathfinders are almost car-like in their refinement and general feel. There is more wind noise than you would get in a passenger car of the time in the 1995 to 2005 models. Handling is reasonable in all models, but the centre of gravity is relatively high so you can’t drive a Pathfinder as though it’s a car.Nissan's dealer network is widespread with spare parts, repairs and servicing available in most areas, even in some pretty remote locations. Insurance isn’t usually over expensive as befits a vehicle that is seldom driven hard.WHAT TO LOOK FORRust can get into the lower corners of the door and the tailgate but is not common in vehicles that have been correctly driven and maintained. Check also for rust in the chassis rails, especially if you suspect it has been subjected to beach use.Look for damage to the protection plates, the sill panels and the underneath of the bumper-bar corners, all items that suggest rigorous off-road driving. Four-cylinder engines can sound harsh even when they have a fair bit of life left in them. Worn engines tend to be slow at picking up oil when started stone cold, resulting in low pressure. So listen for bearing rattle and watch for an oil-pressure warning light that’s slow to go off.Check for an engine that smokes from the exhaust. It is usually at its worst when the engine is accelerated hard after it has been idling for a minute or so.  Severe engine wear is the most likely cause.Gearboxes are generally tough, but try some fast gearchanges from third to second and feel and listen for worn synchros. Automatic transmissions should be smooth and quiet in operation and not have too long a delay when going into Drive from Neutral.If driven hard in tough off-road situations Pathfinders may suffer from suspension mounting or chassis cracks. Get an expert to do an inspection as these can be expensive items to repair.CAR BUYING TIPFour-wheel-drive purists scoff at those who never take their 4WDs off-road – that is until they come to buy a secondhand model for themselves. Then they opt for used vehicles that have never been taken off road… 

Nissan hoped that the new Pathfinder, with its four-wheel drive capability and seven-seat cabin, would take it right up to the Toyota Prado and Mitsubishi Pajero.

It's a mid-sized 4WD with a reputation for smooth road manners and a surprising amount of off road ability.However, with the release of the new "Pathy" and the addition of the stylish Murano to the lineup, Nissan has clearly reached a fork in the road, with two very distinct models – one for the road and the other for the bush.Although marketed as a multi-purpose, family wagon, the new Pathfinder is in fact a traditional 4WD in every sense of the word, in the vein of the popular Pajero and Prado.Built on a proper ladder frame chassis as favoured by off road enthusiasts, it has robust, heavy duty suspension, that delivers a ride that is bumpy and unforgiving in an urban environment, with plenty of lurch and lean in corners.The original 3.3-litre V6 has been replaced with a much larger, more powerful 4.0-litre V6 or, for the first time, the option of a diesel engine in the form a 2.5-litre four cylinder turbocharged unit.The DOHC V6 generates 198kW of eye- popping power at 5600rpm and 385Nm of torque at 4000rpm.In comparison, the common-rail turbocharged and intercooled diesel is good for 128kW at 4000rpm and healthy 403Nm of torque from a low 2000rpm.We're have always been strong advocates of diesel 4WDs because the diesel engine produces better economy and is better suited to the rigors of off road work.The diesel in the Pathfinder, subject of our test, can be mated to either a six-speed manual or five-speed sequential automatic.Our mid range ST-L test model, priced from $48,990, was fitted with the auto.Nissan says the adoption of a second generation common rail diesel with an electronically controlled high pressure fuel injection pump provides more power, low emissions and low levels of NVH.In reality, we found the engine in our test car to be quite noisy with lots of the rattle that is normally associated with diesels.It also exhibited quite a lot of throttle surge, when speeding up and slowing down.Fuel economy figures for the engine are not stated, but the trip computer reported an average of 11.7 litres per 100km from the 80-litre thank, giving the vehicle a range of about 680km.That's okay but nothing special considering the smallish capacity of the the engine.Standard equipment incluces two airbags, airconditioning, ABS brakes, remote central locking, electric mirrors and windows, cruise control and CD/Tuner.The ST-L adds taller 17-inch alloys, Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system, luxury cloth trim, leather steering wheel and gear shift, dual zone automatic airconditioning, roof rails, side steps, fog lamps and a 6-stacker CD/Tuner with steering wheel mounted audio controls.We gave the Pathfinder a good working over including some hard off roading.Fit and finish in the seven-seat Spanish built wagon is good inside and out.A third row of seats has been added, but we found the seats small and particularly firm and they can become uncomfortable on long trips.Second row passengers will find leg room tight and the two third row seats are strictly for small children.The third row packs flat into the floor when not in use and all seats lie flat for carrying loads, including the front passenger seat for extra long items.Off road Pathfinder has plenty of ground clearance at 211mm, but the hard plastic rear mudflaps do not compress when grounded, which can lead to rear bumper damage.While first gear in low range generates a touch too much ground speed for difficult descents.In keeping with its off road role, the vehicle is equipped with a full size spare which is mounted under the back.

Most importantly, at last there's now an optional turbo-diesel engine and it is not too thirsty. Nissan's timing in finally giving the Pathfinder a fuel-frugal turbo-diesel is perfect.An 80-litre tank gives the oil-burner Pathfinder a range of well over 750km around the city, something that might even impress Federal Treasurer Peter Costello, who last week, wearing his Einstein hat, predicted rising fuel prices would see families turn to smaller, more fuel-efficient cars. Sorry, Mr Treasurer, this "gas guzzler" is lighter on fuel than many family cars.The company says the 2.5-litre common-rail turbo-diesel will return 9 litres/100km (manual) and 10.1 litres/100km (auto). This seems easily achievable after a week driving the entry-level manual version around southern Queensland.Pathfinders hadn't changed much since their introduction in 1995 and had fallen behind the medium-size 4x4 pack mostly because of the uninspiring 3.3-litre petrol engine. The original Pathfinder was based on a ute, and, although a comfortable family wagon, lost ground to Prado, Pajero and Discovery, which were designed as passenger vehicles. Its off-road ability was OK but nothing to write home about.Not any more. It's wider, longer, taller and has a longer wheelbase (2850mm, up 150mm) than the model it replaces. Both engines are new. Instead of five people, it can carry seven, preferably for short distances only. It also has the muscle to tow a decent sized boat or horse float (3000kg braked).It's priced from $44,990 for the manual ST diesel, neck-and-neck with Toyota's Prado GX diesel, about $5000 less than the comparable Pajero and a whopping $7500 more than Hyundai's Terracan CRDi. Automatic is a $3000 option on all Pathfinder diesels. The ST 4-litre petrol V6 starts at $47,990, the higher specified ST-L diesel at $48,990 and the V6 ST-L petrol $51,990. The flagship Ti V6 petrol is priced from $58,990.The diesel engine puts out 128kW @ 4000 rpm and a handy 403Nm @ 2000 rpm and is available with a new six-speed manual transmission or the five-speed automatic. It's a willing performer at all speeds, although we found the manual gear change a little vague at times, accidentally choosing fifth instead of third. So flexible is the engine that this error caused no fuss; it simply pulled away smoothly.The engine is related to the 2.2-litre engine found in European variants of the X-Trail compact 4x4 and is almost all new. It has twin overhead camshafts with 16 valves, common-rail direct fuel injection and displaces 2488cc. Turbocharged and intercooled, it develops 128kW and 403Nm of torque, which peaks at 2000 rpm.At idle, you are aware it is a not a petrol engine, but at highway speeds the muffled rattle up front becomes a reassuring hum.This Pathfinder has a full ladder chassis, which some see as the mark of a "true" 4x4. The cost may be a less refined ride on rough surfaces but generally the Pathfinder handled ruts and corrugations without fuss. There was very little kickback through the precise (rack and pinion) steering.A brief off-road trip left no doubt that this is a much more competent Pathfinder. Low-range first is a true crawling gear and throttle response is good for careful manoeuvring. Overall ground clearance is up 11mm to 211mm. Approach and departure angles are also better at 33 and 26 degrees.Purists may sneer at "all-mode" 4x4 systems operated by rotary switches but for the average driver, the latest version of Nissan's system takes all the hard work (read "fun"?) out of choosing how to cross difficult terrain. Electronics take care of all traction needs and low range gears for off-road work, offering Auto, 2WD, 4WD (Hi) and 4WD (Lo). All modes can be accessed on the move, except 4WD (Lo) , for which you have to stop.For everyday use, the switch is left in either Auto or 2WD mode. When locked in 2WD or when the roads are dry and the system is in Auto, the vehicle operates in rear-wheel-drive only, saving fuel.The temptation is to leave it in Auto mode, in which electronic sensors constantly monitor wheel slippage and automatically send signals to the hydraulically activated multi-plate clutch, mounted ahead of the rear axle, to apportion torque correctly. When no slippage is detected, the system distributes the torque 0:100 front to rear, but this can change in any proportion up to 50:50 if the going gets too slippery.We tried, unsuccessfully, to fool the system and spin one or two wheels, which, on sand, means you can go down to your axles. It does the job well.Standard on the entry ST diesel are 16-inch alloys, air-conditioning, ABS, dual airbags, remote central locking, electric mirrors and windows, cruise control and a reasonably good CD stereo.Finish on the Spanish-built Pathfinder was very good and the clear instruments were welcomed by one driver who needs spectacles to read but drives without them. He wondered why vehicle makers don't offer an optional stick-on lens that magnifies instrumentation, like those available for some camera viewfinders.The front seats were supportive, if a little firm for some passengers. One middle-row passenger also got squirmy after an hour on the road. Back row is for kids only, and light ones at that.As in the previous Pathfinder, seating and luggage space options are very flexible. Nissan claims 64 seat/cargo variations and we believe them. Any handyman who has tried to fit timber in the family car will appreciate a fold-flat front passenger seat, which allows a load length of 2.8m.Despite its apparent size, the Pathfinder is easy to drive around the city and suburbs.Rear visibility is better than in most 4x4s.The turning circle of 11.9m (up 0.5m on the previous model and the biggest in the class) is not a problem if you remember.In summary, the diesel Pathfinder was worth the wait.It is a nimbler, more economical option to a big 4x4, yet has most of the appeal of the big boys.Around town it's easy to handle and park; on the highway you set the excellent cruise control, sit back and enjoy the fuel economy.And Pathfinder owners no longer have to suffer the sneers off-road

The five-door, seven-seater is a proper four-wheel-drive wagon with a deal of flexibility.It has good road manners, big solid feel and practicality with up to 64 seating/cargo configurations, plus enough room for a quiet kip, or cargo up to 2.8m long.All Pathfinders feature ABS brakes, dual airbags, airconditioning, remote central locking, electric windows and CD stereo. The entry-level ST sits on 16-inch alloy wheels.The ST-L adds 17-inch alloy wheels, Vehicle Dynamic Control, dual-zone airconditioning, side steps and six-stacker CD stereo.Pathfinder's top-of-the-tree Ti is available only with the 198kW V6 and five-speed automatic, a creamy combination. Extras here include leather upholstery, rear seat DVD entertainment and side curtain airbags.All look the part, a little like the Discovery in profile with Nissan's big and bold chrome V up front, relating the Pathfinder back to the Patrol and X-Trail. And for old time's sake the rear door handle sits high on the window frame.The rugged, no-nonsense theme is carried over into the cabin. Here the Pathfinder's interior is neat, tidy and practical with straight dashboard lines, big and legible analogue instruments plus decent seats and the usual cubby holes.It is bigger than before. And again the look is a little like the Discovery's prestige-adventure theme.The 2.5-litre turbocharged diesel engine pushes out 128kW at 4000rpm and 403Nm of torque at 2000rpm, making for both an easy tourer and tower. And the diesel can be mated to either the six-speed manual or five-speed automatic gearbox.It is a willing worker although there remains a tiny touch of truck about the manual gearbox, although that may vary from Pathfinder to Pathfinder.This is a very willing, very responsive diesel although not super-quiet at idle. It should make for a good tourer. As with the petrol V6, the diesel Pathfinder is rated to tow a decent 3000kg.The petrol V6 with automatic transmission is the smoother operator, at least until the revs head toward the redline. By then the Pathfinder has stepped off at a fair pace and the auto's slurred through the changes with some finesse.On the road — good and rough surfaces — the Pathfinder sits and steers with confidence. There is a firm reassurance to the steering.Yet there is no doubt there is still a full-sized, framed chassis below — with full independent suspension — for on some corrugations there is some feedback through the body.The Pathfinder feels like a solid wagon, a firm and solid worker for road and bush tracks. It is an honest four-wheel-drive wagon (with full-sized spare) with a simple, honest approach to four-wheel driving.In style and substance it has the ability to provide Nissan with a reliable weapon in this medium-sized SUV battle.