2003 Car Review : Nissan Pathfinder SE 4x4
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SEE ALSO: Nissan Buyer's Guide
DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WITH CAREY RUSS
The Nissan Pathfinder was one of the earliest compact sport-
utility vehicles. Like other primordial SUVs, the original Pathfinder
borrowed heavily from its manufacturer's pickup truck for chassis
and engine components. Offered in two- or four-door style, with
four-cylinder or V6 engines, it achieved success and a good
reputation for ruggedness. It also changed with the times, and so
when the second generation was introduced in 1996, four-cylinder
engines and two-door bodies were gone. No more pickup-with-a-
built-in-camper-shell, thank you. The Pathfinder went upscale.
But it didn't forget its roots. And, although the Pathfinder has
continued to evolve as a civilized, gentrified SUV - aided by the
introduction of the Frontier pickup-based Xterra for the get-down-
and-get-dirty crowd that originally took to the Pathfinder so many
years ago - it is a very different vehicle than the car-based
``crossovers'' that are infiltrating the compact SUV class. Its
``MonoFrame'' chassis combines the best aspects of car-like
unibody and truck-like body-on-frame construction for rugged
strength to deal with unpaved or poorly-paved roads balanced with
the space, comfort, and civilized ride expected by today's upscale
SUV buyer. Unlike many of the new-breed crossovers, the
Pathfinder is offered with true dual-range four-wheel drive or a
multi-mode four-wheel drive system, depending on model. In 2001,
its original 3.3-liter V6 gave way to a high-tech 3.5-liter V6 that is
related to the engines used in Nissan's Maxima and Altima sedans
and now the 350Z sports car. With 240 horsepower and 265 lb-ft of
torque, power deficiency is a distant memory.
For 2003, the Pathfinder is offered in sporty SE or luxury-
oriented LE trim. Both are available in two-wheel drive or 4x4 trim,
with the SE 4x4 having a shift-on-the-fly dual-range system and the
LE offered with a push-button multi-mode system. The interior has
been freshened, with leather seating surfaces now standard in the
LE. For improved safety in inclement conditions, the ``Vehicle
Dynamic Control'' (VDC) stability control system is now available
for all Pathfinders.
For the past week, I've been driving a Pathfinder SE 4x4 with
almost enough options to qualify as an LE. It doesn't exactly hide
its truck heritage, nor should it. It's small on the outside, to better
fit into tight spaces between trees and rocks on the trail or between
larger vehicles in the mall parking lot, but offers more space than
you might think inside. The more powerful engine is as smooth and
refined as the variants found in other Nissan products, and gives the
Pathfinder serious power. It can tow up to 5000 lbs, far more than
most crossovers. In short, it combines the best features of a truck
and a car.
APPEARANCE: The original Pathfinder was distinguished by a
unique C-pillar design, high-mounted rear door handles, and three
nostrils at the front of the hood, above the grille. The 1996 version
lost the C-pillar styling and incorporated the nostrils into the grille.
The Pathfinder has gone more mainstream in the ensuing years, and
the nostrils are long gone. The rear door handles are intact,
however. Despite all of the changes, it's still noticeably a Pathfinder
in proportion, and has styling that balances ruggedness and
refinement. Both SE and LE models have new wheels this year.
COMFORT: One of the chief benefits of the Pathfinder's
MonoFrame construction is space efficiency. Although it is not all
that large on the outside, there is as much interior space as is
commonly found in a mid-sized sedan. Access, even in 4x4 models,
is easy, even for short people. Versatility is the name of the game in
the SUV class, and the Pathfinder won't disappoint. The 60/40 split
rear seat features flip-and-fold cushions, so a long cargo floor with
a reasonably low height is easily available. Both models have a new
four-spoke steering wheel this year, and are differentiated in trim.
The SE gets titanium-look interior accents that would not look out
of place in a sports sedan, and matching instruments. The front
buckets are sport-sedan spec, too, combining comfort and support.
Optional leather surfaces and heating, part of the ``SE Leather
Package'' add style and more comfort. A 6-disc CD changer is
standard, with a BOSE(tm) audio system available. Also new this
year is satellite radio. And, unusually, Nissan gives customers the
choice of XM or Sirius systems.
SAFETY: The 2003 Nissan Pathfinder has front and rear crumple
zones, special bodyside reinforcement, side airbags (standard on the
LE, optional on the SE), child safety locks, and standard antilock
brakes.
ROADABILITY: History repeats itself. Last time I tested a
Pathfinder was during a wet El Nino winter. El Nino is
back...fortunately, so is the Pathfinder. It tracks surefootedly
through rain, hail, mud, and wind. Good clearance and skid plates
add confidence when fording streams or ponds where roads should
be, and, if worse comes to worse, shift-on-the-fly 4-wheel drive can
be engaged at any speed up to 50 mph. The new Vehicle Dynamic
Control stability management system can help maintain control
when the going gets slippery. Independent struts are found at the
front, with a solid axle at the rear. But coil springs and carefully-
designed location linkage negate most solid axle drawbacks. The
Pathfinder feels like a truck, but it's a very, very civilized truck. Not
everyone wants a mere car.
PERFORMANCE: The last time I drove a Pathfinder, it had the old
3.3-liter, 168-horsepower V6. While adequate, more power would
have been welcomed. And more power was welcomed a couple of
years ago when Nissan dropped a 3.5-liter aluminum alloy V6 into
the Pathfinder's engine bay. This high-tech powerplant makes 240
horsepower at 6000 rpm, with 265 lb-ft of torque at 3200 and great
pulling power right from a standstill. Power deficiency cured, and
then some. The four-speed automatic transmission is as smooth as
any found in a car, adding to the Pathfinder's refinement.
CONCLUSIONS: The 2003 Nissan Pathfinder combines truck
strength and car comfort.
SPECIFICATIONS
2003 Nissan Pathfinder SE 4x4
Base Price $ 28,799
Price As Tested $ 34,663
Engine Type dual overhead cam 24-valve
aluminum alloy V6
Engine Size 3.5 liters / 213 cu. in.
Horsepower 240 @ 6000 rpm
Torque (lb-ft) 265 @ 3200 rpm
Transmission 4-speed automatic
Wheelbase / Length 106.3 in. / 182.7 in.
(190.7 w/external spare)
Curb Weight 4131 lbs.
Pounds Per Horsepower 17.2
Fuel Capacity n/a gal.
Fuel Requirement 91 octane premium unleaded gasoline
Tires P255/65 R16 Bridgestone Dueler HT
Brakes, front/rear vented disc / drum, antilock standard
Suspension, front/rear independent strut /
solid axle with coil springs and
multi-link location
Ground clearance 8.3 in.
Drivetrain front engine, on-demand four-wheel
drive
PERFORMANCE
EPA Fuel Economy - miles per gallon
city / highway / observed 15 / 19 / 16
0 to 60 mph est 9.0 sec
Towing capacity 5000 lbs.
OPTIONS AND CHARGES
SE Popular Package - includes:
BOSE audio system with 6-disc in-dash CD changer,
steering wheel audio controls, foglights, rear cargo
net and cover, automatic temperature control $ 799
SE Sunroof Package - includes:
Visors with illuminated vanity mirrors, LED outside
temp gauge & digital compass, Homelink, power
tilt and slide sunroof $1,099
Dynamic Control Package - includes:
Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC), tire pressure
monitoring system $ 749
SE Leather Package - includes:
Leather seating surfaces, heated front seats, front
seat side-impact air bags, power driver and front
passenger seats, simulated leather door trim, dual
visors $2,199
XM Satellite Radio (subscription extra) $ 399
Floor Mats $ 79
Destination Charge $ 540