MOTORING PREVIEW
BABY YOU CAN DRIVE MY… SUV Nissan believes its future success lies with the SUV, and that future is bright if the new Pathfinder is anything to go by, writes Peter Atkinson, AAP.
I
n case there was ever any doubt that SUVs are taking over the automotive world, here’s a sobering fact. Remember Nissan? For decades a central player in the Australian passenger car market? You know, that popular Japanese brand that brought us iconic nameplates like the Pulsar, Bluebird, Skyline, Maxima, Altima, Micra and, yes, even the oddly named Tiida? (Not to mention all manner of Datsuns before the name change.) So consider this. Nissan no longer offers a conventional passenger car in its Australian
model line-up. Not one. The Nissan range comprises SUV models, the Navara ute and a couple of sports cars. But no sedans. No hatchbacks. No conventional station wagons. Of course, this circumstance is mostly born of the way in which Nissan’s SUV models are becoming ever-more car-like. They’ve invaded the traditional sedan’s territory to the point where, in Nissan’s eyes at least, they’ve made the conventional car redundant. Truth is, modern SUVs are bigger, more flexible and practical, yet no less rewarding to
drive than the station wagon that once served as the ideal family car. Their high-riding stance is virtually the only thing that, these days, separates most SUVs from a traditional wagon format. And sitting fairly close to the top of the Nissan SUV family is the Pathfinder. This fourth-generation model was launched in 2012 but has undergone a substantial facelift – both mechanical and cosmetic – this year. With an entry-level pricetag of just over $40K, the Pathfinder is big, roomy, practical, versatile and eminently pleasant to drive. We tested the Pathfinder in its most basic form, the front-wheel-drive, standard-spec ST trim. With the absence of all-wheel-drive it doesn’t even pretend to have some kind of off-road pedigree. It’s basically a traditional family wagon, but in an SUV shape. And it’s an impressive thing. As the Pathfinder ably demonstrates, it drives, handles and performs as well as any traditional wagon did. We were amazed at how smooth, powerful and refined the Pathfinder was in this entry-level guise. Under the bonnet, Nissan has always been notable for its strong, smooth engines, and this V6 is a beauty. Inside, cargo space is restricted if all seats are occupied but roomy if five or fewer are in use. There’s plenty of cleverly thought-out storage space, including little trays for keys,
sunglasses and garage-door openers, as well as ample slots for smartphones and the like. The mid-life makeover adds a substantial suite of technology, including electronic safety aides like intelligent emergency braking, intelligent (radar) cruise control and rear cross-traffic alert in higher-spec models. An all-round view monitor makes it a breeze to park such a big thing. Looking further up the Pathfinder range will allow you to add extra luxury and technology – even the option of all-wheeldrive if you wish. But these days, that’s not really what SUVs are all about, is it?
NISSAN PATHFINDER ST HOW BIG? It’s a full-sized seven-seater with interior space that’s very close to class-leading. The cabin format is quite flexible, too, allowing you to make the most of that space depending on how many seats are occupied. HOW FAST? The 3.5-litre V6 engine has undergone some substantial upgrades, resulting in outputs of 202kW and 340Nm. That translates into responsive, almost brisk performance and plenty of low-down pulling power. HOW THIRSTY? With an average thirst of 9.9L/100km it can’t match class leaders like the Mazda CX-9 – or some diesel rivals – but that’s still reasonable for such a big, capacious thing. HOW MUCH? The entry-level ST, tested here, starts at $41,990 plus onroad costs.
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