2010 Nissan Pathfinder

Review

Some SUVs behave like cars, while others celebrate their truck heritage and make no apologies for it. The 2010 Nissan Pathfinder is one of the latter. The fact that the Pathfinder is, at its core, a truck is both its biggest strength and its greatest weakness. On one hand, the 2010 Pathfinder is incredible off-road and offers two very potent powertrain options. On the other hand, the Pathfinder also guzzles gas and lacks the refined ride quality of its tamer rivals. Read on for the complete results of our road test of the 2010 Nissan Pathfinder.

Improvements from the 2009 Nissan Pathfinder

The number of configurations available on the 2010 Nissan Pathfinder has been reduced substantially. The SE Off Road trim has been discontinued, a power moonroof now comes standard on the LE V6 trim, and a navigation system becomes standard equipment on the LE V8 for 2010.

Performance

Because of the Pathfinder’s truck-based chassis, the SUV shines on off-road terrains but delivers only an adequate performance on the pavement. Car reviews describe the ride quality of the 2010 Nissan Pathfinder as somewhat choppy and note significant body roll. The 2010 Pathfinder is available with two engines: a 4.0-liter, 266-hp V6 and a 5.6-liter, 310-hp V8. Reviewers call the Pathfinder’s steering precise and responsive, while acceleration is also respectable. The Pathfinder can reach 60 mph from rest in just seven seconds with the V8 engine. The braking ability of the Pathfinder is sub-par, however, when compared to that of its rivals. Off-road, the 2010 Pathfinder is a natural, with eight inches of ground clearance and optional four-wheel drive.

Exterior Features

Although auto reviews agree the 2010 Nissan Pathfinder is not a bad-looking SUV, it’s not exactly stunning or original in its design. Reviewers criticize the strong resemblance to its big brother, the Nissan Armada, and note that the styling of the Pathfinder really hasn’t changed much since 2005. The SUV has a rugged feel to it overall, with features like a tow receiver hitch, front bumper underguard, and a lower radiator skid plate. Judge the styling of the 2010 model for yourself in our gallery of Pathfinder photos. Standard exterior equipment includes rear tinted windows, 16-inch alloy wheels, roof rails, keyless entry, and a tailgate with a separate glass hatch. The 2010 Pathfinder comes in four trim levels: S, SE, LE, and LE V8.

Interior Features

Overall, the cabin of the 2010 Nissan Pathfinder is very attractive and passenger-friendly. Reviewers praise its recently redesigned dashboard, which is far more refined than those of competitors. On the other hand, the seven-seat Pathfinder has cramped second- and third-row seats, and cargo space is much smaller than in other midsize SUVs. The Pathfinder does earn praise for its innovative and versatile storage options, however. Standard interior equipment includes air-conditioning, a six-speaker stereo with a CD player, eight-way manually adjustable driver’s seat, and a tilt steering wheel.

Safety and Specifications

The 2010 Nissan Pathfinder earned decent car safety scores in federal government crash tests, but not the best. In frontal crash tests, the 2010 Pathfinder earned a score of four out of five stars—a decent score but still sub-par for the midsize SUV class. The Pathfinder performed most poorly in the rollover crash test, in which it earned a score of three out of five stars, meaning it has a 23 percent chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle accident. However, the 2010 Pathfinder does include standard safety equipment like roof-mounted curtain airbags for all three rows of seating, Vehicle Dynamic Control, anti-lock brakes, front seat active head restraints, and stability control. A synopsis of the 2010 Nissan Pathfinder’s specs is offered below.

• Car pricing: $29,440 - $42,160 MSRP; $27,584 - $39,041 invoice
• Engine: 4.0-liter V6 with 266 horsepower; 5.6-liter V8 with 310 horsepower
• Transmission: five-speed automatic transmission with either rear- or four-wheel drive
• Acceleration: 0-60 mph in 7.4 seconds with V6 engine; 0-60 mph in 7 seconds with V8

Upgrade Options

Available upgrades on the Nissan Pathfinder include 17-inch or 18-inch wheels, leather upholstery, a rear-seat entertainment system, wood-grain trim, sunroof, a hard-drive based navigation system, power-adjustable pedals, keyless ignition, a rearview camera, a 10-speaker Bose sound system, automatic headlights, auto-dimming mirrors, heated mirrors, and dual-zone automatic climate control.

How the Pathfinder Compares to Other Affordable Midsize SUVs

The 2010 Nissan Pathfinder is competitively priced and offers two powerful engines. However, the Pathfinder falls behind other midsize SUVs in terms of ride quality, safety, cargo and passenger space, and fuel economy. The V6 Pathfinder has city/highway fuel economy rating of 14/20 mpg, while the V8 version achieves 13/18 mpg.

New car guide information cites the 2009 Nissan Pathfinder’s Intellichoice 5 year cost of ownership as $53,023, which is a below-average value for the class. This means that potential Pathfinder buyer's may be able to qualify for cheap car insurance. Data for the 2010 Pathfinder are not available yet. The Pathfinder’s expected ownership costs factors in fuel expenses, car insurance premiums, depreciation, and maintenance costs.

The Pathfinder has been dogged by reliability and quality issues; namely, a recall of 2005-2009 models due to faulty crash zone sensors. Predictably, the 2010 Pathfinder earned a score of just 5.0 out of 10 on the J.D. Power Quality Ratings for expected reliability. The 2010 Pathfinder’s warranty protection is average for the class, with a three-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.

Conclusion: Is the 2010 Pathfinder a Smart Buy?

If you want an SUV that performs and feels like a truck, the 2010 Nissan Pathfinder is a good choice. With excellent towing capacity, plenty of storage room, and abundantly powered engine options, the Pathfinder is ideal for drivers who place rugged demands on their SUVs. The Pathfinder also has an attractive interior that is ergonomically designed. Of course, the Pathfinder also has the pitfalls of a truck, including a jarring ride, poor fuel economy, and a high risk of rollover accidents. Still, though, the Pathfinder is a good choice for those who need a hauler or a rugged off-road vehicle.