Okay, ask me how much I liked the Nissan Pathfinder. And I would say a lot. It is always good to appreciate good cars. People choose different cars for their daily use. People drive hot hatches, sedans, SUVs and even sports cars for their daily commute. Sports cars make point-to-point travel much faster than an SUV. But you still find sports car owners with at least one SUV in their garage, because SUVs are not just meant for off-roading or road presence. The real reason why driving an SUV is such a joy, is because you can take your friends or family along with you. A drive is always special when it is with your loved ones and that is only possible in a 7/8 seater SUV like the Nissan Pathfinder. It is such a lovely package for a family. The Pathfinder has grabbed a couple of awards too.
The current generation model looks a lot different than its boxy predecessor. The Pathfinder has grown up into a more modern looking practical SUV, while the sad part is the upgrade has taken away its off-road capability. The Pathfinder comes with a 3.5 litre V6 Petrol engine which churns out 254bhp of power and 325.5Nm of torque. The engine is butter smooth, but the CVT is a bit disappointing; although still better than other Nissan models.
The Pathfinder is available in three different trims in UAE:
Nissan Pathfinder S
3.5-liter V6 engine with 254hp/6000rpm and 33.2kg-m/4400rpm
Xtronic CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission)
All-Mode 4×4-i intuitive 4WD system
18” Aluminum – alloy wheels
7-passenger seating capacity
EZ Flex seating system with second-row 60/40-split fold-flat bench seat featuring LATCH AND
GLIDE technology and third-row 50/50-split fold-flat reclining bench seat
Tri-Zone Automatic Temperature Control (ATC)
Remote keyless entry
Push button ignition
Power windows
FM/AM/1CD/DVD/HDD audio system with 6 speakers
MP3/WMA CD playback capability
USB connection port for iPod interface and other compatible devices
Auxiliary audio input jack (AUX)
Bluetooth hands-free phone system
Illuminated steering wheel-mounted audio controls
Smart auto headlights
Roof rails
Power lift-gate
Nissan Advanced Air Bag System
Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) with Traction Control System (TCS)
Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS)
Nissan Pathfinder SV (In addition to S feature)
6-way power adjustable driver’s seat
7 inch QVGA colour monitor
Rear view monitor
20” aluminium-alloy wheels
I-Key with remote engine starter
Auxiliary audio/video input jack (replaces standard auxiliary audio input jack)
Driver’s seat power lumbar support
4-way power adjustable passenger’s seat
Power windows with front one-touch auto-up/down
Front fog lamps
Chrome body side mouldings
Welcome lighting
Stainless steel kick plates
Vehicle speed-sensitive intermittent windshield wipers
Dual illuminated visor vanity mirrors
Power moon-roof including UV cut function
Wood-tone trim
Leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob
Leather seats
Tow hitch receiver with 7-pin trailer tow wiring harness
Nissan Pathfinder SL (In addition to SV feature)
I-Key adaptive with pre-set memory seat, HVAC, and NAVI screen individual user settings
Curtain and side airbags (front and rear)
Digital compass
9GB music box hard drive
8 inch VGA colour monitor with HDD navigation system
Bose audio system with FM/AM/CD and 12 speakers
Climate-controlled front seats
Power-tilt/telescoping steering column
Steering-wheel position memory
Driver’s seat and outside mirrors position memo
As you can see, even the base model comes well equipped with lots of features. We were driving the top end variant, which is the SL. The 3.5 litre V6 petrol engine offers better fuel efficiency than before. The overall fuel efficiency during our 500km drive was 10kmpl, which is quite impressive for an SUV of this size.
Some of the coolest features in the Nissan Pathfinder:
1) Remote Engine Starter
The remote engine starter helps the car to cool down in UAE’s scorching heat. By the time you enter the car, the temperature will be brought back to normal and you will be welcomed pleasantly. This function can be operated from up to 60 metres away.
2) Around View Monitor
The Around View Monitor feature which offers a 360 degree bird’s eye view, makes parking in Dubai much easier. For an SUV of this size, the bird’s eye view actually helps a lot. We’ve got the 4-inch LCD touch display for this purpose, and it also displays other information and works with infotainment as well.
3) Comfort and Space
Take your family members for a ride in the Nissan Pathfinder, and you will be surprised to see how comfortable they are. The Pathfinder is such a spacious SUV. The second and third row seats are reclinable, while the second row seats slide. We’ve also got the seat coolers for first and second row seats. The third row seat is a 50/50 split-folding design, offering added cargo flexibility, which also reclines for greater passenger comfort. Both, the second and third row seats fold flat for optimal cargo capacity, and there is additional under floor storage in the rear cargo area.
By and large, the Nissan Pathfinder offers excellent comfort for your whole family. If you prefer the comfort for your family members over off-roading expeditions, then for this price tag, we think the Pathfinder is the best SUV you could buy with loads of features.
