Nissan Pathfinder 2018 Range Review
There's a lot of attention on seven-seat SUVs at the moment as Australian families search for a car to match their McMansions.
But it seems heritage doesn't count for much as one of the original large SUVs, the Nissan Pathfinder, has been overtaken by a host of newer options, like the Hyundai Santa Fe, Kia Sorento and Mazda CX-9, while it has never been as popular as mainstays of the segment such as the Toyota Prado and Kluger.
So we thought we'd revisit the Pathfinder to see where it slots into the expanding landscape and find out where the sweet spot among the range of variants on offer.
- Spacious cabin
- Comfortable ride
- Only hybrid option in class
- Thirsty V6
- Base model lacks AEB
- Cabin lacks design flair
Is the Nissan Pathfinder right for me?
As its name suggests, the Pathfinder was initially a genuine off-roader with a rugged body-on-frame construction and a proper (low-range) four-wheel drive transmission.
But, as SUVs became more popular as subruban family runabouts, Nissan changed tack completely with the latest generation, first introduced in late 2013, and built it around a conventional monocoque body for more car-like handling and interior packaging while also introducing a hybrid powertrain for the first time.
What does the 2018 Nissan Pathfinder cost?
There are 10 different Pathfinder variants to choose from, split across three main trim levels - ST, ST-l and Ti; each offered with the choice of either two-wheel drive or all-wheel drive when powered by a conventional 3.5-litre naturally-aspirated V6 or the Hybrid - plus a single, cosmetically dressed-up N Sport model.
Prices start at $41,990 (plus on-roads) for the petrol, front-drive ST, with the ST-L in the same configuration costing $54,375 (plus on-roads) while the range-topping Ti starts at $62,190 (plus on-roads). The addition of all-wheel drive is an extra $3500 for the ST, and $4000 more for the ST-L and Ti grades, while the hybrid powertrain option is around the same difference across the range, and comes only as a two-wheel drive in the base ST and exclusively as all-wheel drive in the ST-L and Ti.
The single N Sport variant, of which just 250 were available when introduced in July last year and are still promoted on Nissan Australia's public website, slots into the middle at $56,425 (plus on-roads) and is available only in front-drive, petrol V6 configuration.
What is the Nissan Pathfinder's interior like?
Having first been introduced in 2013, and then refreshed in 2017 with a mild cosmetic update, the Pathfinder's cabin is starting to show its age with a simple T-shaped dashboard design with a centre section that is loaded with buttons and knobs for the ventilation and audio systems.
The instrument cluster is also simple, with gauges that are clear and easy to read, there's decent small item storage throughout the cabin and the materials are generally pretty good. But the overall ambience is pragmatic - built to handle the rigours of family life without any fuss - as it does lack of any sense of occasion or style.
The ST comes equipped with fabric seat trim and electric adjustment only for the driver's seat, whereas the ST-L and Ti have leather trim with the mid-grade bringing heated front seats and the Ti adding a ventilation function on top of that.
How much space does the Nissan Pathfinder have?
While the cabin might look simple, it is spacious enough for a full family.
Those in the front are treated to a pair of supportive and super-comfortable chairs that offer plenty of adjustment and a commanding view of the road ahead with great headroom, decent shoulder space and a raft of storage options around them.
The middle row offers a generous amount of leg room for all three occupants, including those in the middle, with a flat floor devoid of the transmission tunnel usually associated with four-wheel drive SUVs, plus the convenience of rear vents.
The bench seat can be moved forward and back to create more - or less - legroom and has a 60:40 split fold function with an easy one-touch movement that slides them forward and tilts the seat back to access the third row. Although it is a shame that Nissan didn't modify the middle row specifically for right-hand drive markets as the single seat is on the road side, and the heavier portion on the kerb side of the car.
Once back there, the two individual chairs have enough room to easily accommodate small children all the time, while adults could slot in for short journeys.
Even with all three rows in use, there's still a workable 453 litres of cargo carrying capacity behind the third row - which is equivalent to a small hatchback and enough to handle everyday family duties, such as a load of school bags, the weekly grocery haul or the weekend sporting activities. It expands to a cavernous 1354L when used as just a five-seater and 2260L with both the middle and third rows folded flat.
What's the Nissan Pathfinder's tech like?
There's an 8.0-inch digital display at the top of the dash with Bluetooth connectivity and a six-speaker audio system in its most basic set-up in the ST that is pretty fiddly to use through the rotary controller compared to more modern systems. The mid-grade ST-L models adds sat nav as standard, as well as a premium Bose audio system with 13 speakers, while the range-topping Ti extends that with a rear entertainment system with wireless headphones and HDMI connections.
How reliable is the 2018 Nissan Pathfinder?
As we've outlined, the Pathfinder has been around for a few years now and we haven't heard of too many common issues and the VQ-series 3.5-litre engine has also been an award-winning powerplant for generations.
That said, the Pathfinder is built in North America to standards that are competitive with mid-American SUVs, and it has been subject to a number of alarming recalls over the last few years, including a bonnet latch issue that could see it fly open at speed if not secure properly, a fuel tank design fault that required a full replacement and, most recently, an actuator for the ABS system that could potentially leak brake fliud and cause a fire.
All of those issues should be rectified on new stock in showrooms, but if you're looking at a near-new version check to make sure the latest issues have been repaired.
How safe is the Nissan Pathfinder?
Even in its most form, all ST models come equipped with six airbags with side curtains that cover third-row occupants plus have a reverse camera with rear parking sensors, anti-skid brakes and stability control.
You'll have to spend more on the mid-grade ST-L before you access automated emergency braking with forward collision warning, blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert as well as a 360-degree camera and adaptive cruise control.
Or you could wait a month with an updated Pathfinder due to arrive in showrooms with revised specifications, including the likelihood of greater accessibility to safety systems in the base model.
What is the Nissan Pathfinder's warranty like?
Nissan is holding back from the pack as the last mainstream brand to offer a three-year warranty, where its rivals have moved to five-year (or more) coverage.
It does bring with it roadside assistance for the same period and a new-for-2018 capped price servicing scheme.
What are the on-going costs for the Nissan Pathfinder?
A petrol-powered Pathfinder requires scheduled visits every 12 months or 10,000km and will cost $1056 to maintain over the first three years, while the more complex hybrid needs more frequent servicing - every six months or 7000km - and costs $2061 for the same period, virtually eliminating any of its fuel-saving benefits.
Is the 2018 Nissan Pathfinder range value for money?
The Pathfinder isn't the most affordable entry into the large seven-seat SUV set, and nor does it come packed with the latest in technology and features.
Instead, it sits right in the middle and remains the only one of its type available with a hybrid powertrain at this point in time - if that is appealing.
What's under the Nissan Pathfinder's bonnet?
The petrol-powered Pathfinder has a naturally-aspirated 3.5-litre V6 that produces 202kW of power and 340Nm of torque, driving either the front wheels or all four through a continously variable automatic transmission.
As mentioned previously, Nissan's VQ-series V6 has won countless engine awards over the years for its silky smooth refinement and linear power delivery. But, while demand in the US where the Pathfinder is built, and most popular, still favours big petrol engines, times and tastes have changed in the last decade with rivals choosing to offer more frugal diesel and smaller turbo charged four cylinder motors.
Although the engine is still beautifully elastic, and the CVT manages to keep it spinning in the sweet spot, it is at its best in the middle of the rev range, where it has the most punch, which means the transmission can be a little busy constantly adjusting the revs and the engine is a little noisy under load.
The hybrid sounds like a better option, fusing a 2.5-litre supercharged four-cylinder engine with a 15kW electric motor to produce a combined output of 188kW and 330Nm, but the reality is it has to work even harder than the V6 and weighs over 100kg more.
How much fuel does the Nissan Pathfinder use?
As a result, Nissan claims the Pathfinder Hybrid uses 8.6L/100km on the government combined cycle in the two-wheel drive ST specification and 8.7L/100km in ST-L and Ti all-wheel drive guise, which is not that much more efficient than the petrol V6, which drinks 9.9L/100km in front-wheel drive and 10.1L/100km in all-wheel drive configuration.
Both engines, at least, are tuned to run on the most affordable 91RON unleaded fuel.
What's it like to drive the Nissan Pathfinder?
This is a car built for Americans, and its driving character is perfect proof of that. Where other brands have invested in local suspension and steering tuning programs to suit Australian tastes and conditions, Nissan hasn't and the Pathfinder, as a result, is a big and humble family hauler with a compass needle that points only towards comfort.
And while it achieves that, with a fairly compliant ride, it is a little too floaty over bumps and wallowy through the bends, with steering that is aloof and overly light, and all of that means the driver feels a little disconnected from what is happening underneath.
In short, it doesn't challenge the dynamic benchmarks in its class, vehicles like the Mazda CX-9, Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Sorento.
How does the 2018 Nissan Pathfinder compare to the competition?
It is that trio that we think offers the best seven-seat options for growing families. The Santa Fe is our reigning champion as the Best Family SUV in the Drive Car of the Year awards, on the strength of its dynamics, safety and spacious, stylish cabin. But it only just inched ahead of the CX-9 to take that crown last year, while the Sorento remains a value-packed and practical proposition we'd be happy to recommend.
But there's a broader choice of alternatives beyond those three, including the Holden Acadia (which offers impressive value at the bottom end of the range), the evergreen Toyota Kluger and a raft of new ute-based four-wheel drives for those that like the previous Pathfinder's more rugged character, such as the Ford Everest, Toyota Fortuner, Mitusbishi Pajero Sport and Holden Trailblazer.
Drive's verdict
So, if you are considering the Pathfinder, where is the sweet spot in the range?
Well, for starters you really don't need to pay the premium for the the all-wheel drive system if the majority of your driving is within the confines of the suburbs, or even long-distance road trips. And any benefits of the hybrid powertrain are off-set by its significantly higher servicing costs, so save your money there too.
Which means it is a simple choice between the model grades in two-wheel drive, V6-powered configuration. If anything, the mid-grade ST-L (almost) justifies its significant $12k premium on the inclusion of its advanced safety features alone - especially for families - but it also feels a little more special on the inside with leather trim and has the convenience of standard sat nav and a few other creature comforts.