On a good path
Upgrades keep 2015 Nissan Pathfinder fresh and relevant
T he Nissan Pathfinder crossover utility vehicle soldiers on with a few technology and comfort upgrades for 2015, as well as additional safety and creature features.
The changes keep it very fresh and relevant. Of note are some clever cargo features and technology capabilities that you can’t find elsewhere in the midsize segment. The seven-passenger Pathfinder boasts car-like ride and handling, comes in 2WD and 4WD versions, and competes with the Ford Explorer, Honda Pilot/Passport, Toyota Highlander/4Runner and the Chevy Traverse/Trailblazer.
From the outside, the Pathfinder’s black honeycomb grille stretches like a pair of wings across the entire front end and is dominated by a large Nissan badge. Big, halogen headlamps wrap around to the sides, while optional fog lamps are mounted in the lower part of the grille.
The roofline slants sharply down from the shoulders to the tail end, giving it a more coupelike stance despite its longer, three-row size. Character lines scoop out the midsection like a waist, and the rear liftback gets an integrated spoiler on top.
Inside, Pathfinder is bright and roomy overall, boasting as much as 79.8 cubic feet of stowage. The second row splits 60/40 and can slide back and forth 5.5 inches, allowing easier entry into the third row while still keeping a child safety seat latched in place on the passenger side. The third row, which splits 50/50, also reclines, and both rows can fold flat to accommodate large cargo. There’s under-floor storage behind the third row, as well.
Starting at $29,510, the 2015 Pathfinder comes in four trim levels: S, SV, SL, and Platinum. The Pathfinder receives the addition of blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert on the SL and Platinum trim levels.
The Pathfinder is powered by a V-6 engine that makes 260 horsepower and 240 pound-feet of torque mated to a continuously variable transmission. For 2015, Nissan has revised the D-Step shift logic for the CVT to improve performance.
Higher-end Pathfinders also have Nissan’s All-Mode 4x4-I system, which has selectable 2WD, Auto or 4WD Lock modes. Fuel economy estimates are 26 mpg highway/20 mpg city for 2WD models and 25/19 mpg highway/city for 4WD models; top towing capacity is 5,000 pounds.
On our ride and drive, we made note of the bright interior, with comfortable ergonomics for driver and front-seat passenger, as well as the good second- and third-row seat roominess; notable is the simple ease of access to the back row. This cockpit is whisper-quiet, with a luxurious ride and ample elbow room.
Nissan claims best-in-class passenger volume, front head and leg room, class-exclusive third-row reclining seats. Meanwhile, Nissan’s EZ Flex seating system with latch and glide promises a straightforward way to get smaller riders situated in all rows.