2005 Nissan Pathfinder Review

Specifications

Super-Sized Midsize SUV

Just as the human species has become larger and heftier over the span of time, so too has the Nissan Pathfinder. But where humankinds advancements in girth have been due to improved diet and fitness over millennia, the Japanese sport utilitys ballooning size has more to do with the growing appetites of North American consumers for big, bodacious trucks. As such, one cant fault the automaker for serving up on an overflowing platter for the third generation of the model for 2005.

When the Pathfinder debuted way back in 1987, the SUV landscape was just in its infancy, with the Jeep Cherokee, Toyota 4Runner, Chevy Blazer and Ford Bronco the competition. The first generation Pathfinder, a two-door model powered by a 3.0-liter V6 producing 140 horsepower, was an immediate success with the outward bound set. A four-door model was added in 1990, as was a fuel injection system that boosted the ponies to 153.

The second generation came about in 1996, with a longer wheelbase, standard 4-wheel antilock brakes and, surprise, surprise, a bigger engine. The new 3.3-liter V6 produced 168 horsepower.

My how a generation can change things? The 2005 Pathfinder resembles its forebears in name only, having stretched more than nine inches in length over its predecessor and packed on a whopping 1,000 pounds in curb weight.

And to get that added girth going, Nissan has added some significant muscle in the form of a 4.0-liter V6, pumping out 270 horses and 291 lb-ft of torque. The sole gearbox is a five-speed automatic.

So, in terms of physique, the new Pathfinder has about as much in common with its original ancestor as Yao Ming has with his. Which, in a way, is too bad as the original Pathfinder pretty much defined all the positive aspects of the SUV — functionality, toughness yet not really truck-like — while the 2005 Pathfinder embodies many of the SUV-worlds worst traits — massive size, brutal gas consumption.

But with North Americans lining up to buy this type of uber-SUV, its no surprise Nissan has super-sized the Pathfinder. All the major manufacturers have these types of vehicles, and in fact Nissan has a bigger one yet in the Armada.

So, whats good about the new Pathfinder? First, its a Nissan, which means the production values, the fit and finish and the overall design inside and out are first-class. Available in four trim levels — XE, SE, SE Off-road and LE — the 2005 Pathfinder comes with most, if not all, of the creature comforts buyers in this category demand, from the optional navigation system with 7-inch color display to a six-CD/MP3 Bose stereo.

And the big body style isnt for looks alone, as all Pathfinders come standard with second- and third-row flat-folding seats for a total of 7 occupants, while offering an impressive 64 different seating configurations.

New features include an improved roof rack design and a clean cut rear tailgate with a flip-up glass hatch opening.

Handling and performance are good as the wide and long wheelbase keeps the Pathfinder on track, but the big tires and somewhat blunt profile produce a fair amount of interior cabin noise on the highway.

All around, a solid SUV; Im just not convinced the world needs another one this large.