Topic: 2006 Nissan Pathfinder. Opinions?

[ktm525]

Just got back from a test drive of one. Its on my short list.

[Trainman]

Another place to get opinions on Pathfinders is the Nissan Pathfinder Off-Road Association at http://npora.ipbhost.com/.  They have a section on the 05+ version as well as all that went before.

Too big for me, I would probaly go for the XTerra.  The new X has the same wheelbase as my 02 Pathy so more suits my needs.

What else is on your short list?

[ktm525]

I am looking for a mid sized SUV with 3rd row seating for the times when the grandparents are around and we need them for a short trip. (Small nimble Grannies and kids ). I also require a vehicle with at least a class 3 tow receiver to haul my dirtbike (sideways ramp that mounts into the receiver, aprox 400lbs toungue weight). Personally I prefer a "truckier" feel as I already own a car. I appreciate a vehicle that makes good use of its size. Tigh turning circle doesn't hurt.



4Runner: Not enough headroom, weird seating ergos and the windshield/roof junction is almost at my eye level. How anyone over 6' is supposed to see out (especially overhead traffic lights is beyond me). Apparantly no 3rd row option anymore.

Mitsubishi Montero: Neat package but felt too tippy, no side air bags and weak engine.

Touareg: I know, no 3rd row seat. For the weight and size this SUV has less space than my Passat. Not for me.

That leaves me with a 4 vehicle list, 2 on the car type side and two more trucky.

Car-like:

Volvo XC90 V8: Tight 2nd seat, 3rd seat but nice looking and well appointed. Feels solid but is quite pricey  at $68k.

Acura MDX: I looked at one of these a few years back and haven't checked out the 2006 yet. It impressed me last time.


Truck Like:

Land Rover LR3 SE: Really appeals to me, the best use of space I have ever encountered. Nice airy, throne feel. I am scared of Land Rover's reputation although early reports on the LR3 seem ok. Way over built for what I need. The 4.4L V8 not only gets lousy mileage but does it on premium.


Nissan Pathfinder: Reminds me of the LR3 with a little less polish. For $16k less than the LR3 it seems like a good deal.  Even though the V6 uses regular I noticed that the * says to use premium for max power.

[ovr50]

Guess the Armada is too big, right?

Decent third row seating is very hard to find, is it not? Dare I say that some of the larger GM SUVs may have decent 3rd row seats?? Not sure. Do you REALLY need the 3rd row? Makes choices tougher for sure. 

[Trainman]

Nissan Pathfinder: Reminds me of the LR3 with a little less polish. For $16k less than the LR3 it seems like a good deal.  Even though the V6 uses regular I noticed that the * says to use premium for max power.

Both our Pathfinder and Sienna have premium recommended but work just fine on regular.

I am a real believer of Nissan's AllMode system, gives the best of 2WD, AWD and 4WD in one nice package, now standard on the 06 Pathfinder (on the 05 was only on the LE top of the line).

Looks like a good list.  Not sure about Land Rover's reliability compared to the rest.

Yes, with Grandparents to haul around, more seats the better.  That is why we have the Sienna.

[mdxtasy]

The MDX is a good size.  It's wide and roomy for the passengers.  I don't know what it can tow, but I've put people in the 3rd row before, and it's a tight fit.  5 fit comfortably in the MDX with good cargo out back.  With 7, cargo room goes down and the 2 tag alongs won't enjoy the long trips.  It's nice though, we love ours. 

How about the Lexus GX470?  Lincoln Aviator? 

[Snowman]

KTM, do you “need” the real SUV functionally?..... or could you go with a car based platform to take advantage of ride, comfort, and lower operating costs. What is your price cap?

[initial_D]

Dodge Durango?? 

[mdxtasy]

KTM, do you “need” the real SUV functionally?..... or could you go with a car based platform to take advantage of ride, comfort, and lower operating costs. What is your price cap?

I think ktm has mentioned his treks through rugged roads in AB.  Perhaps that's why he needs the more 'truckish' vehicle?

[Benhaze]

You can forget pretty much all cross-overs. KTM mentioned 400 lbs of tongue weight; all the car based one have a max tongue weight of of 350 lbs or less. I think he can forget the MDX and XC90 for that reason.

If you consider the Pathfinder, give a change to the Durango. The last generation Durango drives amazingly well with the Hemi engine. The fit and finish is just as good as the Pathfinder, surprisingly. The 3rd seat is actually comfortable, unfortunately more than the second row but young kids won't complain... The 2006 has MDS feature that reduced the fuel consumption by 1.5L/100Km. If you can handle its size, it is a good choice.

Another possibility is the Trailblazer/Envoy EXT, the longer wheelbase with 3rd row. I personally think the Durango is a much better choice.

[Snowman]

400lbs of tongue weight for some bikes. Where is the rear axle on the trailer? If KTM is trekking though the wilds he will like a more “truck” like SUV as MD mentions.

[ktm525]

400lbs of tongue weight for some bikes. Where is the rear axle on the trailer? If KTM is trekking though the wilds he will like a more “truck” like SUV as MD mentions.

No the carrier rides sideways across the back of the SUV.  The "ramp" is attached to the vehicle through the hitch. Now my big dirt bike weighs about 265 lbs and the ramp itself another 75 lbs. Total weight supported by the hitch is 340 lbs, similar to a tongue weight. Unfortunately this weight is not close to the hitch but is leveraged out a little. In a soft sprung SUV this will sink the rear and raise the headlights...Not fun if you are driving in the dark. Anyways an SUV that can tow 4000lbs should be able to handle a tongue weight of 400lbs, so this is what I am looking for.

In the near future I may buy an enclosed trailer that (aprox 2500 lbs) with three bikes and stuff will be close to 4000 lbs. I may also have to trailer my Volvo P1800 once in a blue moon.


As for car based platforms I have identified the Volvo X/C 90 and MDX. I am not really too worried about fuel economy as I use my Passat to commute and run around the city. This SUV is replacing my Quad Cab Dakota AWD so almost anything I buy will have better fuel economy.

Lastly I will never look at a Durango, I am done with Dodge.


Price cap? A very good question. It depends on how I make out selling my company.  I like value and that is why the Pathfinder at $48k appeals to me while the Volvo X/C 90 is nearly another $20k. The Volvo is a little more refined but that $20k could buy a new dirtbike, some new skis, exhaust for the Passat etc. I guess I want it all for cheap.

[X-Traction]

Anyone interested in the latest Pathfinder should have a look at the ongoing discussion at www.nissanforums.com.  Although such discussion groups may create a concentration of criticism, there seems to be more problems with the latest, US-built Pathfinder than previous versions.

[Trainman]

400lbs of tongue weight for some bikes. Where is the rear axle on the trailer? If KTM is trekking though the wilds he will like a more “truck” like SUV as MD mentions.

No the carrier rides sideways across the back of the SUV.  The "ramp" is attached to the vehicle through the hitch. Now my big dirt bike weighs about 265 lbs and the ramp itself another 75 lbs. Total weight supported by the hitch is 340 lbs, similar to a tongue weight. Unfortunately this weight is not close to the hitch but is leveraged out a little. In a soft sprung SUV this will sink the rear and raise the headlights...Not fun if you are driving in the dark. Anyways an SUV that can tow 4000lbs should be able to handle a tongue weight of 400lbs, so this is what I am looking for.

Like this?

[smainville]

You can forget pretty much all cross-overs. KTM mentioned 400 lbs of tongue weight; all the car based one have a max tongue weight of of 350 lbs or less. I think he can forget the MDX and XC90 for that reason.

If you consider the Pathfinder, give a change to the Durango. The last generation Durango drives amazingly well with the Hemi engine. The fit and finish is just as good as the Pathfinder, surprisingly. The 3rd seat is actually comfortable, unfortunately more than the second row but young kids won't complain... The 2006 has MDS feature that reduced the fuel consumption by 1.5L/100Km. If you can handle its size, it is a good choice.

Another possibility is the Trailblazer/Envoy EXT, the longer wheelbase with 3rd row. I personally think the Durango is a much better choice.

I would not touch the MDS Hemi in a vehicle like this, IMO the Pathfinder looks better.  This Dodge look is really getting long in the tooth.  MDS technology has only been here a short time, will bugs surface up in the next couple of years when these engines have some mileage?  On the other hand the Pathfinder has the VQ V6 under the hood, best V6 12 years running.

[Benhaze]

Nissan's VQ engine does have an excellent reputation and record. Unfortunately, the story is different for the rest of the vehicle. Nissan still produce good products, just don't expect them to be as reliable as Honda's or Toyota's. The new Pathfinder has been critized for being very noisy at highway speeds (another sign of cost reduction actions as NVH insulation is expensive).

IMO, Pathfinder has 3 major shortcomings: questionable reliability, part time 4WD (yes, the All Mode is a part time system) and poor interior quality.

[smainville]

[Trainman]

IMO, Pathfinder has 3 major shortcomings: questionable reliability, part time 4WD (yes, the All Mode is a part time system) and poor interior quality.

The AllMode system, when in AUTO, is not part time 4WD.  If it meets the definition of AWD is open to debate as there does seem to be a good definition of AWD.  However what the AllMode system does is automatically proportion power/torque front/rear as required to a maximum of 50/50.  It can be used on dry pavement with out problems.  It is better than any "part time" system (like on the XTerra), how it compares to the really sophisticated AWD systems is up to the potential buyer to decide.

[ktm525]

Nissan's VQ engine does have an excellent reputation and record. Unfortunately, the story is different for the rest of the vehicle. Nissan still produce good products, just don't expect them to be as reliable as Honda's or Toyota's. The new Pathfinder has been critized for being very noisy at highway speeds (another sign of cost reduction actions as NVH insulation is expensive).

IMO, Pathfinder has 3 major shortcomings: questionable reliability, part time 4WD (yes, the All Mode is a part time system) and poor interior quality.

That is the good thing about coming out of a Dodge. The Pathfinder is better in all regards.

1. Questionable reliabilty: Who knows? Can't be wrose than the LR3 I am considering.
2. The 4WD system is not a part time system, it is a variable torque split with a center lock mode.
3. Poor interior quality. It didn't look to bad to me. Not a Lexus, but not slumming it either. I prefer plastic in my trucks as it makes wiping mud/grime/dirt/grease  easier. Hard to get oil out of cashmere.

I did notice a fair amount of wind noise around the windshield and A pillars. Perhaps a little more than my Dakota. The engine noise was also quite loud, on acceleration you can't help but notice it. When cruising it was fine. I like some engine noise and don't care for Lexus style "isolation".


The picture a few posts ago is the type of carrier I am using. The bike is pretty close too.

[Trainman]

The picture a few posts ago is the type of carrier I am using. The bike is pretty close too.

And its on an older 2 door Pathy, so you should not have any problems with the 06 version!

I just love my AllMode on my Pathfinder.  Can put it into 2wd to save on fuel but at this time of year, put into auto and forget it.  One of Nissan's best ideas in trucks.  Just wish they would put it in the XTerra