San Diego Union-Tribune (Sunday)
UP ROCK CREEK WITH A PATHFINDER PADDLE
Once the terrain of Jeep, Subaru and Land Rover, a majority of manufacturers now have an oar in the water or a boot on the sand for an adventurous variant of a dutiful SUV or pickup.
Nissan’s Pathfinder Rock Creek Edition is a rugged appearance kit, priced at $995 and available on the SV and SL trim levels, in two- or four-wheel drive. The SV Rock Creek starts at $36,560 with frontwheel drive or add $1,690 for four-wheel drive. The SL Rock Creek starts at $40,180 and $41,870 4WD; pricing includes the $1,095 freight charge from Smyrna, Tenn.
The SL 4WD tester was $45,475, including $395 for pearl white paint; the Rock Creek premium package, $2,110, which added a power panoramic moonroof and 13-speaker Bose audio system.
Rock Creek features include dark 18-inch wheels with all-season tires, black mesh grille, black roof rails, black door handles and outside rearview mirrors, black front and rear fascia accents and black molded overfenders. Interior changes include metallic trim elements and special two-tone upholstery, badging and contrast stitching on seats, door, console lid and steering wheel.
All Pathfinders have a 284-horsepower, directinjection V-6 with 259 footpounds of torque at 4,800 rpm and an Xtronic continuously variable automatic transmission. Fuel-economy ratings with 4WD are 20 mpg city, 27 highway and 22 mpg combined, on the recommended 87 octane. I was averaging 18.8 mpg in around-town driving. The 19.5-gallon tank allows a good trail-riding range.
With a 4WD curb weight of 4,475 pounds, the V-6 gives strong acceleration, but the CVT has no personality in putting power to the axles.
Pathfinder cred
While the features of the Rock Creek Edition are cosmetic, they build upon the Pathfinder’s grit as an SUV.
As a three-row, sevenseat SUV, the Pathfinder is a glorified family wagon, but within its homogenous confines are levels of details that also work well to support the intrepid traveler. It’s not at the level of overlanding, but what makes the Pathfinder a traveler’s companion also makes it a good family wagon.
For short hauls, the third-row space is kid-class, but there are air vents and cup holders.
The second row is more comfortable for large passengers, with a flat floor, but still not overly long on legroom, though there are a few inches of fore-aft slide (more to benefit cargo) and some seatback recline (for sleeping children).
The raised bench with the optional panoramic moonroof are inviting for passengers. And the fan and temp controls are welcome assets, which also help to reduce motion sickness.
Driver area: The front seat and driver area are strong command positions, except for hideous blind spots at the base of the broad side mirrors and outstretched windshield pillars. The driver gets first-class 10-way power adjustable seat, but the front passenger gets just a four-way seat and no height adjustment — unacceptable for a $45K vehicle.
The dual-level armrest box has a 12-volt plug, auxiliary and video inputs, two
USBS and an SD map-card slot. An e-bin just ahead of the console shifter has two charging ports, but there is no wireless charging.
4WD: I’ve heard praise from an owner for Nissan’s four-wheel-drive system that has delivered his family through much badass weather in the Sierras, including being snowed in, and not once did the AWD break loose. The Pathfinder’s electronic 4WD system can be set for two-wheel drive, automatic all-wheel drive, and there’s a differential-lock mode for difficult terrain. The standard hillstart assist and descent control are always helpful in the dirt.
Around View monitor: This system includes a front and top view that is useful when trail riding to check your line and what might lie over the next peak on the trail — or when parking at the mall. And there’s a unique curb view to guard against scraping a wheel. And, of course, there is a rear view.
Tires: The all-season Continental Cross Contact tires aren’t what I’d choose for off-road traction, but the stock 18-inch 255/60 have an XL (heavy weight) rating and a fat sidewall for cushioning among rocks. Fourwheel vented disc brakes have 12.6-inch rotors front, 12.1 inches rear.
Cargo: There is great flexibility in three zones for packing too much gear. The opening is wide at 4 feet with 31 inches of entry height. There is decent groceryshopping space behind the third row, at 16.2 cubic feet with four tiedowns, and about 2 cubic feet of basement storage or maybe 3 cu. ft. without the big Bose subwoofer. Fold the second row for 47.4 cu. ft. and about 3.5 feet of cargo length. Or fold both rows for 6.5 feet of length or 79.5 cu. ft. But with both rows folded, the space is not contiguous or completely flat, which isn’t ideal for sleeping.
Map stash: Off-roaders still rely on paper because there isn’t Internet mapping everywhere in the wilderness and not everybody has a satellite connection — although I would be a subscriber to satellite radio. There’s map-stash capacity in the door panels (with bottle holders), in the big, lockable glove box and even in shallow cutouts along the shift console.
Tow capacity: Whether 4WD or 2WD, both models can tow a 6,000-pound home away from home travel trailer. A tow hitch and wiring harness are standard.
I wouldn’t challenge my Jeep friends with a run on the Rubicon Trail, but the Pathfinder Cross Creek will be at home on just about any national park trail, a spring wildflower excursion or a cross-country road trip.