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The numbers tell the story:

76,156 versus 38,119.

That’s how much sales of Nissan’s midsize Pathfinder rose in 2005 from 2004.

What a difference a redesign makes.

Now that the remake is completed, we tested the 2006 Pathfinder to check out the changes. It is offered in four versions, the S, SE, SE Off Road and top-of-the-line LE, which all received new sheet metal along with 5 inches added length and 3 inches added width for 2005. The added size not only creates a more comfortable cabin, but also gives the SUV better roadability.

We tested the Off Road in dolled-up SE trim to see how Pathfinder has shed its age spots.

Off Road means it comes with four-wheel-drive and stiffer shocks as well as underbody skid plates for off-road protection.

What makes most sit up and take notice is that the old fogey–Pathfinder has been around since 1986–has so much power thanks to its 4-liter, 270-horsepower V-6 that develops 291 foot-pounds of torque. That’s up from a 3.5-liter, 240-h.p. V-6 developing only 260 foot-pounds of torque.

Strap yourself in, tap the pedal and off you go without hesitation. For a midsize SUV This thing bolts down the road like a sports sedan. The quick movement away from the light and around traffic makes the V-6 feel like a V-8. Excellent response.

Of course, the price you pay for such bolting down the road is that the fuel gauge needle moves just as quickly and you’ll need to pause at the pump after most any workout.

Pathfinder is rated at only 15 m.p.g. city/21 m.p.g. highway with its 5-speed automatic, but the fuel gauge sure seemed to move even faster than that.

Other than raw power, Pathfinder’s strong suit is its decidedly non-truck-like ride–unexpected because it’s built on a shortened Titan pickup platform. Sometimes a 4×4 tackles any hill or creek or fallen tree stump in its way, but bounces you around like a ball when on the road again.

Pathfinder is on-road refined even with stiffer shocks that allow for off-road travel when the mood or situation arises.

Handling still is SUV like, meaning you aren’t going to take corners with pinpoint accuracy. However, the center of gravity in this machine is low enough so you don’t feel tipsy in corners or turns, even with the large all terrain 16-inch radials. Of course, standard dynamic vehicle control, a stability control system, helps keep the vehicle under control.

The expanded dimensions give Pathfinder room to sport three rows of seats so it can hold seven, up from five. The two with tickets to the third row, however, may not find the extra seats that noteworthy if they are older than 10 or taller than 4 feet. Space is cramped.

To get to the third row, you flip the lever on the top of the second-row seats and the back folds forward and the bottom flips against the front seats. Just how far forward, however, is limited by how far back those front seats are. You don’t get much of an aisle to slink into the third row.

Second-row seats are cozy and the backs recline for added comfort on those long trips. Nissan boasts a special feature in the second row. Lift the bottom cushions and there are two compartments built into the floor to hide items.

Just don’t hide any life-saving medicine in those compartments because getting the lids open was a chore. Seemed simple enough. Just push the plastic clip. And that’s all we did: push–and push and push until they opened.

Try opening those lids with gloves or cold hands, but make sure there are no little kids around to hear what you have to say along about your third try. The plastic-lid engineers need to make a return visit to this feature.

Cargo area behind the third-row seat is fairly ample for some luggage. Need more room? Pull the lever on the third-row seat backs, and they quickly fold flat. So why are those seats so easy to fold and those hidden compartments so difficult to open?

Noteworthy touches include a window that opens separately from the hatch for easier loading/unloading without having to open the lid; rubberized backing on the third-row seats to carry wet items and for easy cleanup; four power plugs; and abundant beverage holders.

Also, you only have to turn the dial in the dash to engage four-wheel-drive, including a low setting for heavy-duty off-roading. And the limited slip differential helps wheels keep their grip when starting on low-traction surfaces.

Then there’s the Hill Descent Control that limits engine speed in going down hills so you don’t have to ride the brakes, and Hill Start Assist, which allows you stop on an incline and take your foot off the brake to reach the gas pedal without rolling backwards. Both are standard in the Off Road edition.

Nice power, ride and cabin comfort, but hopefully the next generation, not due for at least a couple years, will offer something in the way of new technology or new features to better set itself apart from the other midsize SUVs. Those two hard-to-open floor compartments aren’t going to motivate anyone to run to the Nissan store. Base price of the SE Off Road edition is $31,450.

Power windows, mirrors, locks and driver’s seat are standard along with automatic climate control, rear seat air conditioning, adjustable pedals, digital compass and outside temperature gauge.

The test vehicle added Sirius–or perhaps you call it Howard Stern–satellite radio for $350, though you can opt for XM satellite at that price instead, and a DVD entertainment system for $1,600.

A leather package ran $1,400 and for some reason, probably to inflate the price, includes not only leather seats, but heated seats, heated power mirrors and a power passenger seat.

If you do heavy-duty off-roading, you may want to consider cloth seats because the leather tends to be a bit slippery.

There also was the $1,700 premium package, that besides a power sunroof, focused on upgrading the audio to a Bose system while adding a six-disc CD changer and MP3 capability.

It doesn’t take much to run up the sticker with options.

There’s no hybrid, and the engine doesn’t run on E85 ethanol fuel and no prospects for either anytime soon.

Pathfinder had been imported from Japan but with the 2005 remake is now is produced at Nissan’s plant in Smyrna, Tenn., which also assembles the Xterra and Armada SUVs, Frontier pickup and Altima and Maxima sedans.

The plant has capacity to produce more than 550,000 units annually; last year it built 495,000.

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2006 Nissan Pathfinder SE Off Road

Price as tested: $36,640

Wheelbase: 112.2 inches

Length: 187.6 inches

Engine: 4-liter, 270-h.p. V-6

Transmission: 5-speed automatic

CITY 15 m.p.g.

HWY 21 m.p.g.

THE STICKER

$31,450 Base price

$1,700 SE premium package with power slide/tilt sunroof, automatic headlights, HomeLink transceiver, Bose audio system with 10 speakers and AM/FM radio, six-disc CD changer, MP3 capability and steering-wheel controls

$1,600 DVD entertainment system with headphones and remote control

$1,400 leather package with front- and second-row leather seats, heated front seats, dual power heated mirrors, power passenger seat and body-color side moldings

$350 Sirius satellite radio

$140 floor mats

Add $605 for freight.

PLUSES

The V-6 is a powerhouse.

Plenty of people and package room.

Third seat folds flat to expand cargo capacity.

Pleasant ride.

MINUSES

The powerhouse V-6 consumes lots of gas.

Try opening the hidden compartments.

Folding the second-row seats.

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Read Jim Mateja Sunday in Transportation and Wednesday and Friday in Business. Hear him on WBBM Newsradio 780 at 6:22 p.m. Wednesdays and 11:22 a.m. Sundays.

jmateja@tribune.com