With the lease on my 2003 4Runner coming to an end in a few months, the ponderings of what to do has been lurking in the back of my mind. With roughly 140 000 kilometers on it, it’s hard to know what to do. Should I keep it? Buy something new? Sell it privately? Trade it? After all, I like the 4Runner today as much as I did on day one, but the kilometers are getting up there and rock chips have made a mess of the hood. Then again, the same thing will happen to a new vehicle, so why bother getting something new? So, in this long process of weighing my options, I decided to take a 2006 Nissan Pathfinder for a drive just for the heck of it.
A few months ago I tested the new Toyota FJ Cruiser, but it was quickly decided it wasn’t a viable option, primarily because of its size, poor visibility, and lack of refinement (relative to the 4Runner). On the list of other possibilities sat the Nissan Pathfinder and Xterra, so not that long ago I went to look at both. Ultimately, the Xterra was more to my liking, but the Pathfinder had its qualities.
My test drive was of a model I’d never buy, loaded up with nearly every feature, including heated leather seats, a DVD player, and a navigation system, with the price as tested being a whopping $53 900. From the LE model that I tested, the model structure works down to SE Off-Road, SE, and then S. The S model starts at a more reasonable $37 700. All models share a 270-horsepower V6 and a 5-speed automatic transmission.
Exterior
I’ve had mixed opinions about the Pathfinder’s styling ever since it was beefed up for the 2005 model year. Overall, I do like the lines, but there are a few angles that don’t work for me, particularly when you move toward the boxy rear end. Sometimes it even resembles a Ford Explorer, and that is just not acceptable. I prefer the quirkier and more youthful lines of the Xterra and the FJ Cruiser, but with the 4Runner still being my favorite for its versatile style that works in a puddle of mud just as well as it does in the city center. Of course, your mileage may vary…
Interior
There’s no doubt about it, the 4Runner has the Pathfinder’s interior beat. Better assembly, higher-quality materials, and overall comfort levels make the 4Runner more pleasant to sit in, whether you’re the driver or a passenger.
Seats
The power-adjustable driver and passenger seats are spaciously comfortable and afford a good view of the road. Adjustments are easy to make, but I don’t like the power-reclining since it’s too slow. The seats do a good job of holding you in place with spirited driving, but don’t quite have the support that the 4Runner’s seats do. The heated leather seats warmed up in about a minute, and the leather seemed to be of a decent quality. None of the display models had cloth seats, so I don’t know about their quality. Overall, the front seats are good, but when it comes to the rear seats…
The specs suggest little difference between the second row seats of the 4Runner and the Pathfinder, but it doesn’t feel that way. The Pathfinder feels much more squished, particularly when it comes to leg room, and the center seat is downright unbearable for an adult to sit in for a variety of reasons. No vehicle in this class offers wonderful second row seats, but at least the 4Runner’s rear seats are acceptable for a road trip - something the Pathfinder can’t claim. As for the third row seats, they’re a complete waste of space and barely suitable for kids. If a third row is something you need, you’ll want to look at larger vehicles, or better yet, a minivan.
Dash & Controls
Sitting in the driver’s seat provided a good view of all controls, with an easy to read instrument panel. Central to the driver and passenger are the climate and audio controls, as well as two 12V adapters (there’s a third in the center console, and a fourth in the cargo area). The climate controls were a little odd and felt cheap, though they were fairly effective at warming up the cockpit. Particularly nice about the climate controls were the multiple zones, with the driver, passenger, and rear all having their own controls – something I wish the 4Runner had.
The Bose audio system pumped out good sound with its six speakers and intuitive controls. It is perhaps a little better in quality than the 4Runner’s basic audio system, but not as good as the 10-speaker system in the higher-up models of the 4Runner.
The one-touch power moonroof controls were easy to use, but since the weather was absolutely hideous, the moonroof stayed closed for the drive. Temperature and direction are displayed in the rearview mirror.
Compartments
The Pathfinder has a good number of compartments, including 4 cup/bottle holders for the front, and a whole bunch more for the back. There are two glove compartments and a decent sized center console capable of holding a few CDs. Underneath the second row seats are some hidden storage compartments, which is definitely a nice feature, and would be perfect if they were lockable.
Cargo Space
The Pathfinder is a really nice size – big enough that you can cart plenty around, but not so big that you’re limited with where you can park. Unless you’re using it for extraordinary purposes or are a part of a polygamist commune and have 20 children, you’ll always have enough room. For those exceptionally long items, the rear window flips up, which I prefer to the 4Runner’s retractable window.
Visibility
Outward visibility is about as good as it gets in a vehicle of this size. With the height-adjustable seat, it’s easy to determine where the front of the vehicle is. Views to the side and rear don’t have any glaring blind spots, much unlike the FJ Cruiser. Visibility is about equal with the 4Runner.
Noise
I had heard that noise levels weren’t too great in the Pathfinder, and I must agree. Wind and road noise aren’t too obtrusive, but when you depress the accelerator, the noise from the engine makes you think that there’s little more than a hunk of cardboard between you and it. The actual power the two engines have is quite similar, but the sounds they make are considerably different. Unlike the 4Runner, the Pathfinder’s engine doesn’t have that throaty, muscular sound when it’s under strain, but rather sounds like a fat kid trying to do a push-up.
Quality & Style
Materials are generally of good quality and nothing seems close to falling apart, but Toyota’s got the edge here. After almost 4 years of heavy use with my 4Runner, a good cleaning of the inside reveals an interior no different than the one that it was 4 years ago. I don’t see that happening with the Pathfinder, as many of the materials don’t feel as solid or as durable as those in my 4Runner (or even my Mazda3). The noise levels do nothing to suggest otherwise. Nevertheless, I wouldn’t let that weigh too heavily on my mind, as it is still a great deal better than some of the interiors of domestic brands.
As for the style of the interior, that’s where the Pathfinder really loses me. Wood trim, whether it is fake or real, does not belong in most vehicles. It works in a Buick, Jaguar, or something of that vein, but it is completely out of place in the Pathfinder. Toyota got it right by putting in a metallic trim that works with the gray interior, giving it a sporty and classy look. Hopefully Nissan will realize the error of its ways.
Performance
If you’re coming from an SUV of the mid-90’s, then you will be seriously impressed by the Pathfinder’s performance. However, in relation to other current SUVs, the Pathfinder has nothing special. A few of the numbers look good, but they don’t translate into an SUV where you want to stomp on the gas and throw it into corners. The Pathfinder’s performance is nothing to sneeze at, but just don’t expect anything amazing.
Engine
Most of my disappointment with the performance sits with the whiney 4.0L V6 engine that comes on all Pathfinders. On paper, the Pathfinder boasts 270hp and 291 ft-lbs for torque – a sizeable gain over the 4Runner/FJ Cruiser’s V6, and close to the power ratings of the 4Runner’s available V8. The Xterra shares the Pathfinder’s engine, but is tuned to be slightly different. With 34 horsies and 30 torqies on top of the 4Runner, I expected the Pathfinder to be a great deal punchier, but it wasn’t. It was louder, but it didn’t make any noticeable difference when accelerating, and almost seemed less responsive when a sudden burst of power was needed. By no means was the power lacking, as you’ll have no trouble passing or merging, but it just wasn’t as good as I expected.
Looking over the spec sheet later on provided some possible explanations for this. The most likely suspect is mass. The Pathfinder is a bloated fellow, lugging around roughly 450 pounds more than the 4Runner, canceling out a good chunk of the Pathfinder’s extra power. Subsequently, all you’re getting is an engine with the same amount of
apparent power, but worse gas mileage. No thanks.
Fuel Efficiency
If fuel efficiency is your number one concern, the Pathfinder is a poor choice. It’s not terrible, but being rated at 15/21 city/highway mpg, it’s on par with the 4Runner’s V8 and a lot of other V8s. The Xterra is marginally better, but still below the V6 4Runner and FJ Cruiser that offer 17/21 mpg. Real-world experience with my V6 4Runner has given me 20 mpg average, and that’s a number I can’t complain about.
In addition to consuming more gas than the 4Runner, the fuel tank is 2 gallons smaller, so you’ll be making more trips to the gas station.
Transmission
The Pathfinder’s transmission worked its way through the gears smoothly and peacefully, being quick enough when responding to sudden throttle changes. Like the 4Runner, the Pathfinder is only available with a 5-speed Automatic Transmission. If you demand a manual transmission, you’ll want to shift your focus to the Xterra and FJ Cruiser.
Ride
The Pathfinder is intended to be mannerly on paved surfaces, and it is, but it certainly isn’t setting a standard for how SUVs should soak up the road. In fact, I was more impressed by the more rugged FJ Cruiser, which delivered a surprisingly comfortable ride. The Pathfinder is simply in the middle of the playing field, being able to absorb road imperfections without any jarring or bouncing, but not giving you a cushy ride. If you’re looking for a car-like ride, you should be looking at something that isn’t truck-based, such as the Honda Pilot.
Handling
Despite a pleasantly weighted steering wheel, the Pathfinder isn’t a nimble vehicle. Sure, it beats the FJ Cruiser’s sloppy handling in tight spaces, but that’s no major accomplishment. Compared to the 4Runner, it’s heavier, taller, and thinner, making it a more likely candidate to roll over, and this was something noticeable behind the wheel. It’s still light-years ahead of the earliest SUVs (and even some current ones), and new technology helps ensure that you’ll never reach the rollover crux, but it just doesn’t allow for zipping around corners all that quickly.
Braking
Much like the FJ Cruiser, the brakes on the Pathfinder respond to the tiniest bit of pressure. It takes some adjustment, but eventually you come to love having sensitive brakes that can stop you in an instant. The 4Runner isn’t bad in this department, but the Pathfinder wins this round.
Off-Road
I’m one of the few people that actually drives off-road, so a capable vehicle in this regard is vital. Unfortunately, this is one area you can’t truly evaluate during a test drive in the middle of a city.
In the 4 years of owning my 4Runner, it has never been stuck or close to it, despite the widest range of conditions possible. It plows straight through everything, bringing pleasure to me every time I pass a stuck or broken down domestic truck. The people I know with Xterras report say the same things about theirs, and I expect the FJ Cruiser will build up the same sort of reputation. But then there’s the Pathfinder, which, beyond the commercials, I’ve heard little about. The spec sheet suggests it would be a strong contender, but it just doesn’t have the reputation that the others do to back it up. I’m sure it’s fine, but having had three 4Runners in my family, I’m inclined to favour them.
Price
One of the most enticing features of the Pathfinder is its price, as it comes with a lot of standard features at a lower price than the 4Runner, and barely any more expensive than a loaded Xterra. Packaging is more or less the same between Canada and the US, but just remember that these are Canadian base prices.
2006 Pathfinder
S - $37 698
SE - $41 398
SE Off-Road - $42 398
LE - $47 498
2006 Toyota 4Runner - $39 970 to $52 595
2006 Nissan Xterra - $33 748 to $37 748
2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser - $29 990 to $37 260
2006 Ford Explorer - $40 000 to $51 300
2006 Honda Pilot - $39 940 to $47 300
What’s in store for the 2007 Pathfinder?
Nothing new, more or less.
If you want to buy a Pathfinder, now is the time. Nissan Canada is currently offering $3000 cash-back to clear out the 2006 models. If you’re more interested in the 4Runner, there’s no urgency, as Toyota rarely budges on the price, and certainly never by that much.
Conclusion
The Pathfinder is a well-rounded SUV, but I don’t see it prying me away from the 4Runner. Nissan does have some good ideas in the Pathfinder, and even though much of my review is saying how I was disappointed by this or that, it’s better than the segment norm. The front seats are pleasant, but behind them is a place no adult would care to reside for very long. Storage compartments are bountiful and well thought-out, and the amount of cargo space is ideal. Performance is no better or worse than other offerings out there.
The cheaper price is enticing, no doubt, but it comes at the cost of a less refined interior as well as a noisy and gas-hungry engine. Nissan tried to compensate for this by adding in a bunch of standard features (ie. moonroof), but that doesn’t do it for me. I’d be more content paying a premium for a luxury-like interior that shows few flaws, rather than accepting one of lesser quality that’s filled with a wood trim.
Even though the Pathfinder is not destined for my driveway, I do still recommend you take a look for yourself. I don’t regret the time spent looking at it, and it will certainly play a role in the decision I make regarding what to do with my 4Runner.
Related Reviews
2003 Toyota 4Runner (or
2004)
2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser
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