November 11, 2013
by Anne Miller
Forget everything you ever thought you knew about the Nissan Pathfinder … the recently released 2014 model is a whole new ballgame.
It’s bigger (195mm longer and 112mm wider) but definitely not badder. In fact, the entry level model is priced thousands of dollars under the previous equivalent but with more luxury packed into the bundle.
It comes in three varieties: ST, ST-L and Ti.
Gone is the truck-like body-on-frame build to be replaced with a car-like monocoque construction.
The Pathfinder is now a family-friendly SUV, more refined, upmarket and jam-packed with features, even in the entry-level ST model which I have just tested around the South Burnett.
To confirm its family credentials, seven seats are now standard across the range.
It’s been a long time since I drove a Pathfinder. The vehicle I remember was a tough 4WD, good off-road but a bit pedestrian on the bitumen and definitely not meant to be the family’s main mode of transport.
The first surprise I had when I picked up the 2014 model was that the test vehicle was 2WD. Any apprehensions I had about this quickly evaporated as I ran it over some of our less-than-perfect (but getting better) local dirt roads.
The suspension smoothed out the ruts and potholes and it felt competent on the loose stuff. This may not be the vehicle I’d buy if I was planning to compete at Manar Park, but it would be perfect for a family holiday just about anywhere else.
Of course 4WD models are also available. These have a rotary dial to switch between three modes: 2WD (front wheels), Auto (torque automatically distributed between the four wheels), and Lock (permanently engages the 4WD in a 50:50 power split between the front and rear wheels).
In town and on the highway, I found the 2WD Pathfinder handled like a car except for a slight body roll on roundabouts which betrayed the fact that it is an SUV.
The second surprise (for me at least) was the keyless entry. It works in the normal fashion but if you have the intelligent key fob in your pocket you can also lock and unlock the doors simply by pushing a small button on the door handles. There’s also a hidden button to release the tailgate which works in a similar fashion.
Inside, there’s no ignition lock … just a big, bold, backlit start switch. Simply put your foot on the brake, push the button and you’re off (if you’ve got that fob in your pocket). Nice!
It betrays its American heritage – The Pathfinder is manufactured in Tennessee – with the foot-operated parking brake, but it’s a simple system that’s easy to get used to and avoids the need for a handbrake to get in the way of the multi-purpose centre console (plenty of cup-holders and a two-drawer storage system).
The one downside with having all those extra seats at back is the rear vision but that’s been sorted out by the (standard) reversing camera.
This works perfectly by day and night, and also includes a “predictive path” on the large display. Nissan says the camera provides a 130-degree side-to-side view and a 92-degree top-to-bottom view. I found the in-dash display bright and extremely useful.
This system is enhanced even further on the other model levels. On the Ti (and optional on the ST-L) is a monitor that provides a 360-degree birds-eye view of the vehicle and its surroundings.
The Pathfinder is a big vehicle which means parking can be a challenge if you’re more used to parking a small sedan, but it passed my “Shoppingworld test” with ease. To make life even easier, the reversing camera is complemented by rear parking sensors on all models.
The main dash display is also bright and clear. As well as all the usual dials, the Pathfinder includes what Nissan calls “Advanced Drive-Assist”, basically a mini-computer display that provides vital information, including individual tyre pressures from each wheel.
Much more addictive is the fuel efficiency and economy meter which shows exactly how many litres/km the vehicle is averaging, and shows the driver’s current performance against this average. I found myself adjusting my driving to keep the fuel usage level below the average.
The three-zone air conditioning system was easy to control from the dash, as was the radio / CD. Hooking up my mobile phone to the bluetooth also was a breeze.
As the last Pathfinder I drove was put through its paces on a trip to the Bunya Mountains, I decided to repeat the exercise with the latest model.
The 2014 Pathfinder took the climb up from Kumbia in its stride with power to spare from its 3.5 litre V6 petrol engine. Nissan’s figures are 190kW of power and 325Nm of torque, more than enough for highway speeds.
It was a pleasure to drive through the winding corners and made the dirt section along the road back to Maidenwell disappear.
There’s no diesel model available – and no manual version – but just around the corner is a supercharged petrol/electric hybrid which should make watching the fuel gauge an even more interesting exercise.
Safety features across the range include six airbags (dual front, dual side and dual curtain), ABS, brake assist, traction control and vehicle dynamic control which probably explains why the Pathfinder has a 5-star ANCAP safety rating.
As I said earlier, the version I tested was the ST variant but it didn’t feel like an entry-level model. However, the ST-L and Ti contain even more luxury features, including electronically adjustable leather seats, a sunroof and panoramic glass roof, integrated fog lamps and sat nav. The Ti also has a dual rear screen DVD entertainment system.
So forget the hardcore bush-bashing, this is a practical Nissan Pathfinder. With seat rows 2 and 3 folded, there’s a massive 2259 litres of cargo space plus an underfloor storage area. It is also rated to tow 2700kg.
The 2014 Pathfinder is perfect as the every day family car and versatile for the weekends, too. And then pile in the kids and the luggage for the annual family holiday.
- Nissan Pathfinder ST was supplied by Huston Nissan for the test drive. Price as tested: $44,495 (drive away)
