CART KIDS BY THE TRUCKLOAD
Nissan’s seven-seater has the space and the spec
1. PRICE POINTS TO IMPROVEMENTS
The Ti is good but not cheap. There are newer, more aggressively priced seven-seat contenders/pretenders. One of the more capable soft-roaders, the Pathfinder isn’t an extreme go-anywhere machine – the task falls to the Patrol stablemate – given its space-saver spare and tyre-repair kit. A list price of $66,190 fits between $64,790 for a top-end Mazda CX-9 and $69,617 for a Toyota Kluger.
2. SEVEN-SEATER’S DRESSED TO IMPRESS
Functional plastics and soft-touch surfaces combine well. In a seven-seat SUV intended to haul a truckload of kids in comfort, you shouldn’t need detailing every time something is spilt. Key touch points, specifically armrests and the centre console bin lid, are as deeply upholstered as your couch. Wipe-down surfaces are harder so they don’t soak up the drinks. The eight-inch touchscreen has myriad (though largely redundant) buttons below it and is far from best-of-breed – with a touchscreen, I don’t need physical switches. Put that down to age.
3. IT DOESN’T LACK TECH
An update earlier this year brought in a full active safety suite in this version. The bigger kids in the middle-row’s sliding and tilting seats keep entertained with screens mounted on the front headrests and wireless headphones. Those in the third row have a long way to yell and will have to rely on those in the second to control their vents via buttons in the rear of the centre console. A power tailgate is a welcome addition.
4. V6 IS A HARD DRINKER
The naturally aspirated six-cylinder (190kW/325Nm) can’t match the thrift of the latest kids on the turbo block but it is a smooth and rev-happy engine, even when muted by a continuously variable transmission. Good noise suppression up front dulls the drone of the constantly variable transmission under heavy throttle but the engine’s responsiveness can’t be disguised at any speed. Claimed thirst is 10.2L/100km – keep it under 13L in the real world and you’re doing well.