Vehicle Overview
The Nissan Pathfinder is a body-on-frame SUV that comes standard with three rows of seats for seven-passenger capacity. It’s the smaller sibling to Nissan’s full-size Armada. The Pathfinder comes in S, SV, Silver and LE trims with a V-6 engine; a V-8 is available only in the LE. Competitors include the Toyota 4Runner and Dodge Nitro.
New for 2012
Select Pathfinder trims gain more features for 2012, with the Silver adding a power moonroof and a DVD entertainment system and the LE getting a standard navigation system.
Exterior
The Pathfinder features short overhangs and pronounced fender flares. The rear door handles are placed vertically on the C-pillars, and the SUV has an integrated front bumper. The Pathfinder’s grille design is similar to the Armada’s. Exterior features include:
- 16-, 17- or 18-inch alloy wheels
- Standard power mirrors
- Optional running boards
- Optional automatic headlamps
- Optional heated mirrors
- Optional power moonroof
- Rear window can flip up independent of liftgate
Interior
Seven-passenger seating includes split, folding second and third rows. The front passenger seat also folds. The second-row seat is split 40/20/40. The 50/50-split third row folds into the floor with the head restraints in place. Eight utility hooks are installed in the rear cargo area, and storage is provided under the second-row seats. Interior features include:
- Cloth or leather seating surfaces
- Optional dual-zone automatic climate control
- Optional heated front seats
- Optional Bose stereo
- Optional satellite radio
- Optional Bluetooth connectivity
- Optional DVD entertainment system with 7-inch screen
- Optional heated steering wheel
Under the Hood
The Pathfinder is available with either a V-6 or V-8 engine. All Pathfinders have a five-speed automatic transmission. All models can have rear- or four-wheel drive, which includes automatic and low-range modes, except the LE V-8, which is four-wheel drive only. When properly equipped, the V-8 Pathfinder can tow up to 7,000 pounds; the V-6 is rated for 6,000 pounds. A tow-hitch receiver is standard. Mechanical features include:
- 266-horsepower, 4.0-liter V-6 with 288 pounds-feet of torque
- 310-hp, 5.6-liter V-8 with 388 pounds-feet of torque
- Five-speed automatic transmission
- Rear-wheel drive; part-time or full-time four-wheel drive
Safety
Safety features include:
- Standard side-impact and side curtain airbags
- Standard antilock braking system with electronic brake-force distribution
- Standard electronic stability and traction control
- Optional backup camera
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