2014 Nissan Pathfinder Review
2014 NISSAN PATHFINDER REVIEW
What's Hot: Superb powertrain, excellent interior space, generous spec.
What's Not: No diesel, hard dash-plastics.
X-FACTOR: More family-friendly manners, smoother and easier to live with all-round: that's the new Pathfinder.
Vehicle Style: Large SUV
Engine/trans: 190kW/325Nm 3.5 petrol 6cyl / CVT auto
Price: $39,990 (ST 2WD) to $64,890 (Ti 4WD).
Fuel Economy claimed: 9.9 l/100km (2WD), 10.2 l/100km | Tested: 9.9l/100km
Models driven: ST 4WD, ST-L 4WD, Ti 4WD
OVERVIEW
The Nissan Pathfinder has a curious history.
Starting life as a bona-fide body-on-frame offroader, it morphed into a monocoque SUV for its second generation before reverting back to a ladder-frame architecture for the Navara-based R51 Pathfinder.
Now, that formula has again been switched for a monocoque setup with the all-new 2014 Pathfinder. But while some of you off-roady types may weep into your Akubras, this is a good thing for Nissan.
The transition from an agricultural ladder-frame chassis to a unibody will, Nissan expects, significantly boost the Pathfinder’s appeal to family buyers.
Our first drive around the ACT and rural New South Wales has revealed that this SUV is no longer as capable off-road as it was, but it's a better seven-seat family SUV..
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