   2014 Nissan Pathfinder Hybrid. Click image to enlarge |
Review and photos by Jonathan Yarkony
The Nissan Pathfinder Hybrid is a three-row seven-seat crossover SUV based on the regular Pathfinder, but with an entirely unique hybrid powertrain. Although technically a mid-size vehicle (Nissan offers the even larger Armada!), it is still quite long at 5,008 mm and its 2,900-mm wheelbase offers plenty of interior room.
After a couple generations of tough-looking, broad-shouldered Pathfinders, the new Pathfinder launched last year on the Murano’s unibody platform with softer, rounder edges, but a distinctive and quite shiny grille. It blends in with the more urban minivan stand-ins common in the segment, focusing on more refined driving experience and interior accommodations. Clearly Nissan knows what their customers and shoppers in this segment were looking for, as sales have simply taken off, doubling in the US and more than tripling here in Canada.
This hybrid edition is indistinguishable from the standard Pathfinder aside from a subtle badge on the door and LED taillights. Top-trim Pathfinders add sophistication with chrome body accents, foglights and 20-inch wheels, while roof rails and a tow hitch receiver add utility.
Our fully loaded Platinum trim came packed with technology and an impressive list of creature comforts. The stereo is a 13-speaker Bose system that delivered good sound quality and plenty of bass, and notable features include push-button ignition with proximity entry, navigation, heated and cooled seats, eight-way power adjustable driver’s seat with two-position memory, LED taillights, 20-inch wheels and a selectable 4WD system (FWD, auto 4WD or permanent 4WD).
The Premium package adds two headrest-mounted screens and two sets of wireless headphones for viewing DVDs or media uploaded to the hard drive and a panoramic sunroof for rear passengers. Rear passengers also have separate temperature controls and second row offers heated seats.
The interior is elegant, with the eight-inch touchscreen (Hybrid SV models still have a touchscreen, but only seven inches wide) well integrated with the centre stack and convenient controls for audio and navigation functions below, an easy system to master. The Gauges are bright and clear and there is a wealth of trip and vehicle information to be had from the screen between the gauges and the main screen. Oh, and the Around View Monitor that shows a top-down 360° view when reversing and a rearward view is simply outstanding, making parking an easy task despite the vehicle’s size.
The materials were pleasingly soft, with rich leather lining the seats and steering wheel, and tight, contrasting stitching. It’s a pleasing cabin that promises comfort and conveniences to keep everyone happy even on long road trips.
   2014 Nissan Pathfinder Hybrid sunroof, dashboard, gauges. Click image to enlarge |
The front seats were supportive and comfortable, though the second row seats were a bit flat and low. However, car seats for my kids were easy to install and there was plenty of room between them for a third passenger in the second row.
Nissan likes to highlight their clever second row seat that can slide forward and tilt even with a child seat installed, but note that it is not very effective with a reverse-facing child seat or any of the larger designs with prominent bolstering. With a more compact car seat, it’s a neat convenience. And without a child seat, the opening is wide — note how the seat bottom flips up to offer greater space and allows plenty of room to access the third row. The third row has decent legroom, but the seat bottom is very close to the floor, so it is not accommodating for adults.
    2014 Nissan Pathfinder Hybrid seating. Click image to enlarge |
Cargo space is decent even with all rows in use, measuring 453 L and plenty for the week’s groceries. On more serious cargo runs, the third row can be split 50/50, and folded down increases cargo space to 1,201 L, and full capacity with even the 60/40 second row down is 2,260 L. The Hybrid’s towing capacity is reduced to 1,588 kg (from the V6’s 2,268 kg).
The Pathfinder Hybrid replaces Nissan’s tried and tested V6 for a supercharged 2.5L four-cylinder paired with 15-kW electric motor. The engine contributes 230 hp and 243 lb-ft of torque and Nissan rates the combined output at 250 hp. Nissan has saved space and weight by using a lithium-ion battery, and regenerative brakes help keep it topped up in addition to the charging provided by the engine.
   2014 Nissan Pathfinder Hybrid engine bay, gauges, fuel economy graph, trip computer. Click image to enlarge |
As with any hybrid, fuel consumption is paramount to its mission. We’ve experienced mixed results in the past with the Pathfinder Hybrid and its Infiniti twin, the QX60. The EPA rates it at 9.4 L/100 km city, 8.7 highway and 9.0 combined; the V6 is rated at 12.4/9.4/11.2. We’ve seen 12.5 in the QX60 Hybrid and 11.6 in the Pathfinder Hybrid, but I made a concerted effort to drive frugally, kept it in FWD the entire time as there was no call for 4WD and finished the week at 9.9 L/100 km, which is a good result for a heavy (over 2,000 kg) three-row crossover. That being said, we’ve seen far better results from the Highlander Hybrid (both current and previous generations), which combines a V6 with Toyota’s hybrid system.
On the road, the Pathfinder Hybrid delivered mixed results. It was fine getting up to speed and the CVT unobtrusively found the right power band, mixing electric and engine torque and sending it to the wheels without drama, and on the highway there was still plenty of power to drive normally and for overtaking. But as mentioned, driving frugally meant I never raced away from stoplights. However, the vehicle almost never operated purely on battery power, only shutting down the gas engine at stops, coasting down to a stop, or off-throttle coming down from highway speeds. Additionally, I noted an issue with the low-speed creeping – the brakes were grabby but indecisive, so the car kind of lurched along grumpily when creeping in for the last stretch at a stop or slowly advancing in crawling traffic.
    2014 Nissan Pathfinder Hybrid cargo area configurations. Click image to enlarge |
The regenerative brakes may have also been the culprit for a flaw in the ride. The Pathfinder Hybrid initially seems smooth and serene, and definitely stable and secure at high speeds, but at low speeds over sharp impacts like gaping potholes or speed bumps, the Pathfinder Hybrid presented greater than usual crashing and impact in the cabin, the weight of those complex braking systems taxing the suspension beyond its usual capabilities.
On the other hand, while electric steering might not be the enthusiast’s choice, the light steering in the Pathfinder was easy and well controlled, making parking and maneuvering a simple task, without feeling too loose or disconnected at highway speeds. At speed, the Pathfinder was quiet, with little road or wind noise penetrating the cabin.
The Pathfinder Hybrid is in tough. Costing thousands more than its own V6 stablemate, the lack of dramatic fuel savings (on fuelly.com, the only Hybrid is actually doing worse than the average 2014 V6) may make it hard to swallow the environmental benefits. The V6 is stupendous value, the Hybrid less so. And if you’re set on a seven-seat hybrid SUV, you cannot overlook the Highlander Hybrid, which delivers more power, better efficiency and similarly modern styling and practical seating and cargo configuration. The Highlander demands a higher price, and Nissan delivers some features that Toyota can’t match (Around View Monitor) and greater interior space. Neither offers a significant advantage in terms of driving experience, though Toyota’s experience in this field means it has sorted out some of the rough edges still plaguing the Pathfinder.
    2014 Nissan Pathfinder Hybrid centre stack, backup camera, drive mode selector, second row monitor. Click image to enlarge |
I applaud Nissan for pursuing the potential of the hybrid and electric vehicles, but other efforts like the Nissan Leaf and Infiniti Q50 Hybrid seem to hit the mark in their segments more effectively, offering distinct advantages over the competition or anything else in their lineup. The Pathfinder Hybrid can be driven efficiently to achieve rewardingly frugal fuel consumption, but so could its V6 counterpart, and at significantly less cost, the value of the V6 stands out in the segment and in the Pathfinder lineup as the one to consider.
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Pricing: 2014 Nissan Pathfinder Hybrid Platinum Premium
Base Price (Hybrid SV): $39,748
Base Price (Hybrid Platinum Premium): $49,198*
Options: $295 (metallic pearl paint – $135; carpeted floor mats – $160)
A/C Tax: $100
Freight and PDI: $1,560
Price as tested: $51,153
Competitors:
Toyota Highlander Hybrid
Crash Test Results:
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)
