Nissan Pathfinder: An SUV for all reasons

2009 Nissan Pathfinder LE

The halcyon days of rugged, never-say-stuck sport-utility vehicles may be over, replaced by the softer-riding crossover vehicles that duplicate their utility on road, but not off.

But you adventurous types need not worry. There still are plenty of SUVs around for those who seek the road less – or never – traveled.

I recently spent a week with Nissan's aptly named 2009 Pathfinder LE and it was a great reminder of just how useful an SUV can be.

Properly equipped, the Pathfinder is a versatile rock-hopping, stream-fording truck that can climb the mountain after the blacktop gives way to slippery dirt trails, force its way through the sands of a windswept desert or make it to the ski lodge after the snowstorm hits with unexpected ferocity.

All of this athleticism is made possible by its nearly unbendable, body-on-frame construction; its all-wheel-drive system; its strong brakes; and its generous 8½ inches of ground clearance. Add to that a versatile cabin that can accommodate up to seven passengers or 141 cubic feet of cargo, and you’re talking about a truck with a lot of uses.

Concerned about safety? Nissan’s got you covered there, too. All Pathfinder models come standard with front and side-mounted airbags for front-seat passengers, side-curtain airbags that cover all three rows of seats front and rear crumple zones that dissipate crash forces and active head restraints that protect against neck injuries in rear-end collisions.

And let’s not forget the rugged and powerful engines. An optional, 5.6-liter, 310-horsepower V-8 is available on the all-wheel-drive LE Pathfinder, but the 4-liter, 266-horsepower V-6, standard on all models, will perform virtually every chore as well except one. Both engines are teamed with a five-speed automatic transmission, but the V-8 Pathfinder has a 7,000-pound towing capacity, while the V-6 model is good for only 6,000.

Wipe the Pathfinder LE clean after a day of off-road exploration and you’ve got yourself a luxury cruiser ready for country-club duty or the annual family vacation. You can enjoy the leather upholstery, the premium sound system, the climate control, the rear-seat entertainment system and find your way almost anywhere with the easy-to-operate navigation system.

Of course, there are a couple of necessary compromises that must be accepted when opting for an SUV because, after all, this is a truck at heart.

Fuel mileage will not be good. The EPA estimates you can get 15 mpg in the city/21 highway but my 15-mpg average over 300 miles was mostly on smooth, level roads with light loads. Ride quality is, well, truck-like to support the off-road mission.

Fuel mileage and ride comfort will deteriorate further on the pockmarked, traffic-clogged roads of north Jersey.

Finally, equipped pretty much like a limo, the Pathfinder LE is certainly not cheap. Base price is $38,510. Fully equipped, as the test vehicle was, the total ran to $42,960, but that included navigation ($1,850); DVD entertainment system ($1,600); and a sunroof ($1,000).

If you think that price is over the top, but you really need an SUV for family-travel versatility and outdoor adventure, well, there are ways around your predicament.

Ask yourself: Do I really want a rugged truck that masquerades as a limo? Will I really be comfortable sitting on expensive leather when I’m axle deep in brackish muck? Do I really want to find half-eaten lollipops, cookie crumbs and smashed pretzel pieces stuck between the seats?

If not, head back down the price ladder. You can find an equally competent, less fancy Pathfinder with sturdy interior accommodations and save yourself more than $10,000. Gas costs won’t seem so important then, and you won’t be scared to confront the dirt and muck you’ll encounter when you are out looking for a path in your Pathfinder.

www.nissan.com