{"id":2043,"date":"2019-05-04T20:30:20","date_gmt":"2019-05-05T03:30:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogv2prod.wpenginepowered.com\/blog\/?p=2043"},"modified":"2022-05-10T22:50:19","modified_gmt":"2022-05-11T05:50:19","slug":"2005-nissan-pathfinder-road-test","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/2005-nissan-pathfinder-road-test\/","title":{"rendered":"2005 Nissan Pathfinder Road Test"},"content":{"rendered":"\nReading Time: <\/span> 5<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>\n\n\n

Somewhere in the private recesses of a research lab, the engineers at Nissan<\/a> have apparently developed a highly industrialized growth hormone. How else can one explain the mighty Nissan Armada sport-utility vehicle? Huge and powerful, this brute let it be known at birth that it was ready to take on all comers in its class.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the 2005 model year, Nissan has diluted the dosage a bit, but has applied the same basic formula to its mid-size Pathfinder SUV. Park a Pathfinder next to its 2004 counterpart, as I recently did, and the last generation model seems, well, small.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And, no wonder. The new model is longer by 4.9 inches, taller and wider by about an inch, heavier by about 560 pounds and more powerful by 30 horsepower and 26 pound-feet of torque.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Add all those changes together, mix in some important technological advances, and the result is a vehicle that is more useful and more capable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Source: CarGurus<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Category:<\/td>$25,000 – $35,000 Mid-Size SUV<\/td><\/tr>
Who
\nshould buy
\nthis car:<\/td>		Someone looking for a rugged mid-sized SUV with good off-road capabilities
as well as a comfortable on-road ride.<\/td><\/tr>
Comparable
\ncars in
\nthis class:<\/td>		Buick Rendezvous, Chevrolet TrailBlazer, Ford Explorer, GMC Envoy, Honda Pilot,
Hummer H3, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Mitsubishi Endeavor, Toyota 4Runner<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\n\"CarParts.com\"\n<\/div>\n
\n \n<\/form>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

But what struck me most is how much more civilized the Pathfinder has become, how on-road comfort and control have improved markedly without a compromise in off-road capability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That Nissan growth hormone is officially known as the F-Alpha Platform, a body-on-frame assembly that has been shrunk to fit the mid-size Pathfinder requirements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That solid structure, combined with an independent suspension, power rack-and-pinion steering and anti-lock power brakes<\/a>, provides a car-like ride and responsive handling on paved roads and improved control in off-road situations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Like most SUV drivers, I spent almost all my time on-road in the Pathfinder SE test vehicle. But a brief side trip over a rutted, muddy path and a few miles up and down hilly, snow-covered rural roads were enough to show that the new Pathfinder, with its 9.1 inches of ground clearance, is ready for bigger challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For that mildly adventurous part of my time in the Pathfinder, I selected the high-range of all-wheel drive. The rest of the time the SUV cruised happily in two-wheel drive. Had the situation warranted, I could have chosen the auto setting and allowed the vehicle to decide when I needed the extra traction of all four wheels. And, if I had the opportunity for a significant test of the vehicles traction, I could have slipped the control into four-wheel-drive low range.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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For those who venture really far off the beaten path, Nissan offers the Pathfinder SE Off-Road. With this model a buyer will get 16 alloy wheels with off-road tires, hill descent control, hill start assist, special shock absorbers<\/a> and skid plates to protect the underside of the vehicle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pathfinder power is supplied by a 4-liter V-6 engine<\/a> specially tuned for SUV and truck use. It generates 270 horsepower and 291 pound-feet of torque, and is capable of towing up to 6,000 pounds. The only available transmission is a five-speed automatic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the EPA, the 4,700-pound Pathfinder SE will average 15 miles per gallon of regular fuel around town and 21 mpg on the highway. According to me, it averaged 15 mpg in a week of light-duty use over urban and suburban roads.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Its hard to imagine anyone drag racing in a Pathfinder, but if anybody out there actually wants to, heres a piece of advice. Dont challenge any vehicle that can get from a stop to 60 mph in less than 8 seconds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nissan has made a lot of the fact that the Pathfinder now has third-row seating, an addition which means the new SUV can transport up to seven people from one place to another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thats true, at least theoretically, but families with growing children may want to investigate further. The third row may work for a 6-year-old on his way to a T-ball game and his 7-year-old sister en route to hip-hop and ballet class.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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But, adults will never want to sit there even if they can master the contortions required to gain entrance. And, the effort required to install a baby seat and a baby in the third row pretty much rules out that option, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The real value of the new Pathfinders increased size is in its cargo-carrying ability. With all seats up, mom can still fit a fair amount of groceries into the 16.5 cubic feet of space available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 50\/50 split third-row seat can be folded flat into the floor without removing the head restraints. That increases available space to 49.2 cubic feet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And, when Dad turns into Mr. Fix It, he can also fold down the 60\/40\/60 second-row seat to make room for 79.2 cubic feet of stuff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition, all Pathfinders have small storage compartments beneath the cargo floor and under the second-row seats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Standard safety features include anti-skid control; side-impact beams; energy-absorbing steering column; tire-pressure warning system; seatbelts<\/a> with pretensioners and active head restraints for front-row passengers; standard seat belts for the rest; and anchors and tethers for child seats. Front-seat-mounted side airbags and side curtain airbags, which many believe should be mandatory in all vehicles, are a $700 option.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Base prices of the 2005 Pathfinder range from $24,650 for a two-wheel-drive XE, to $34,750 for a top-of-the-line, all-wheel-drive LE.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Base price of the SE I drove is $27,850 plus $560 destination charge, and that includes front air conditioning, a six-speaker cd sound system, cruise control, trip computer and power drivers seat, windows and door locks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The comfort package, featuring dual-zone automatic climate control with rear seat air-conditioning controls, power adjustable pedals and an automatic day-night mirror with compass, costs $1,350<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The premium package, which features a power sunroof, automatic on-off headlights and a premium sound system with MP3 capability, is $1,700.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Add a DVD entertainment system for $1,600, the air bag package and a couple of minor accessories, and the total comes to $33,940.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It may not be a satisfactory seven-seater, but Nissan has created a Pathfinder<\/a> that is a better truck and a better car. For many SUV lovers, that should be enough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Specifications<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Engine Type<\/td>4.0 liter Double Overhead Cam 24 valveV6 Engine with variable valve timing<\/td><\/tr>
Horsepower<\/td>270 @ 5,600 RPM<\/td><\/tr>
Torque<\/td>291 @ 4,000 RPM<\/td><\/tr>
Fuel Recommended<\/td>Regular Unleaded.<\/td><\/tr>
Transmission<\/td>5-speed automatic<\/span><\/td><\/tr>
Drive Type (std.)
\nDrive Type (opt.)<\/td>		Rear Wheel Drive
\nOn demand 4WD with hi-lo gear selection<\/td><\/tr>
Tires<\/td>P265\/70R16 <\/span>All Season<\/td><\/tr>
Overall Length<\/td>187.6″<\/td><\/tr>
Wheelbase<\/td>112.2″<\/td><\/tr>
Width<\/td>72.8″<\/td><\/tr>
Turning Diameter<\/td>39.5 ft Curb to Curb<\/td><\/tr>
Curb Weight<\/td>4,483 lbs.<\/td><\/tr>
Fuel Tank<\/td>21.1 Gals<\/td><\/tr>
Miles Per Gallon<\/td>16 mpg city, 23 mpg highway<\/td><\/tr>
Base Sticker
\nPrice (XE Rwd)<\/td>		$24,900 + $560<\/span> <\/span><\/b>destination charge<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Standard Equipment
\nNissan Pathfinder (Partial List)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n