Mother Proof's view

Road Trips. They can be a blast, or sheer misery! I am convinced that the type of vehicle has a lot to do with the success of any lengthy trip. A family of five and a 70-pound dog can test the limits of any car, but I am happy to report the Nissan Pathfinder passes this grueling test.

Our Spring Break includes a drive to go skiing with Grandma and Grandpa on Colorado’s Western Slope and I am convinced we might need to strap the dog to the roof with the skis. My husband, the self-proclaimed “packing pro” manages to get all our gear, our dog and our kids packed in the Pathfinder. It is very roomy inside and, thanks to the creative seating option of being able to fold the middle seat in the middle row flat, we are in business. The XM Radio keeps the kids happy while we are driving in more remote parts of this beautiful state. The rear seat entertainment system is also good for a couple of hours worth of quiet so that my husband and I can catch up with our teenager’s budding musical tastes.

The Pathfinder boasts many family-friendly features. My favorite (especially for a spring ski trip) is the fact that the cargo area is uncarpeted. The heavy-duty textured material makes cleaning up wet ski boot messes a breeze. This material covers the back of the third row seats as well, so when you have the seats folded down the entire cargo area is very easy to clean. I am imagining going to the garden store this spring and not dreading the potting soil debacle that usually occurs in the back of my car. The cargo area has a secret compartment under the floor that is perfect for all of the safety gear my husband likes me to carry on my trips around town -jumper cables, a rain poncho, leather gloves, flares, and a 25-piece wrench set. You know, just the basics. There is also under-floor storage underneath the second-row seats, it is not very easy to get to, but it’s convenient for things that you want to keep in the car. One last note about storage: The center console is almost worthless because the DVD player is located inside. There is enough room to store the wireless headphones, but not enough for anything else. Don’t the manufacturers know that I need a big center console to have any chance for my car to appear clean?

The Nissan Pathfinder has side-impact airbags available on every trim package and a tire-pressure monitoring system is optional. Each Pathfinder comes with a stability system called VDC (Vehicle Dynamic Control) which adjusts power and braking electronically helping the driver maintain control during a skid. The Nissan website also features a unique resource that I applaud as a mom, the SnugKids guide. This document gives parents a list of car seats that fit best in the back seat of many Nissan vehicles -what a great thing for a manufacturer to provide -Kudos Nissan.

The creature comforts of the Pathfinder make the long drive much nicer for the driver, and everyone knows that if the mom is happy, everyone is happy -right? The pedals are adjustable, so I am able to put the seat back a little further from the steering wheel. The heated front seats keep my tushy warm after a long day of skiing. The controls on the steering wheel allow me to keep my eyes on the road and finally, the compartment on the ceiling is a great spot for keeping my sunglasses handy. I find the radio controls to be a little confusing at first, but once I have my favorite stations programmed on the 21 preset positions I have no issues.

Let’s not forget that the Nissan Pathfinder is a full-fledged SUV. It does feel a little truck-y and top-heavy while driving and I am constantly thinking of the three (out of five) star rollover rating given to this vehicle in NHTSA testing. I find myself being more cautious in my maneuvering through traffic on the mountain passes. Another example of the truck-like roots of this vehicle is the high stance. The handle to open the rear door is impossible for any person under 4 feet tall to open, so you will need to be available to assist, and stay put because the kids may also need a boost to get into to the vehicle.

The Nissan Pathfinder has some surprisingly family-oriented features but still drives like a truck. The $36K price tag seems a little hard to swallow for what is, basically, a utilitarian vehicle. I think active families with bigger kids will appreciate the Pathfinder but those with smaller children might want look elsewhere.

*For more information on the Nissan Pathfinder and its safety features visit Cars.com.

LET’S TALK NUMBERS

LATCH Connectors: 2

Seating Capacity (includes driver): 7

IT’S THE LITTLE THINGS THAT COUNT

Storage Compartments (Puny, Fair, Ample, Galore): Fair

Cargo/Trunk Space (Puny, Fair, Ample, Galore): Fair -Ample

SENSE AND STYLE

Family Friendly (Not Really, Fair, Great, Excellent): Great

Fun-Factor (None, Some, Good Times, Groove-On): Good Times