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SUV/Truck Reviews

2023 Nissan Pathfinder Platinum 4WD

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Pathfinder a calm, quiet, smooth performer …

The Bath County Courthouse (Va.) provides Pathfinder’s backdrop.

Somewhere along the Skyline Drive overlooking Shenandoah National Park in Virginia the calm, quiet, and smooth performance of Nissan’s 3-row Pathfinder settled in.

We had driven through unplanted flat Midwestern farm fields and mountainous West Virginia only to settle for a week in Harrisonburg, Virginia. We were on a mission to donate a family heirloom quilt to the beautifully curated Virginia Quilt Museum located in that Shenandoah Valley city. Ironically, it’s also where the quilt was assembled by my wife’s 1840-era ancestors.

Pathfinder is a premium standard size SUV that smartly starts at family-affordable prices. This being the Platinum model, it slots in atop the lineup, which helps explain our traveling trio’s comfort.

First, the tester substituted captain’s chairs ($550 extra) for the second-row bench, making this capable of hauling seven instead of eight. That’s a tradeoff we could afford as we only needed three seats and oodles of luggage room. Pathfinder delivered.

If you need to haul folks in row three the Nissan touts EZ Flex seats, which means you press a button on the lower side or upper back of either row two seat and they fold and slide forward for easy row three access. A bar below the seat cushions allows a row two rider to scooch forward some to grant their siblings in back decent foot and knee room, better than many three-row SUVs, although Toyota’s upcoming Grand Highlander promises room for row three adults.

The Platinum Pathfinder also touts quilted semi-aniline leather seats for long-haul comfort. These were a soft gunmetal gray with chocolate trim that looked as luxurious as they felt. Seats are relatively flat too, which is particularly nice for a long drive. Everyone praised Pathfinder’s comfort level, and its quiet interior, except when the giant twin dual-pane sunroofs were uncovered, not opened. Retract the sunshade and a fair amount of additional wind noise enters the cabin.

That may have been due to the roof rails with crossbars on the roof. That adds $390 and would be needed if the third-row seats were occupied on a multi-state drive that required copious amounts of luggage to tag along.

Watch our video: (160) 2023 Nissan Pathfinder Platinum Edition Review by Mark Savage – YouTube

The Platinum model includes heated and cooled front seats and a heated steering wheel, much needed when we departed chilly Milwaukee. But the cooled seats aided comfort in 80-degree Virginia. The captain’s chair package included heat for the second row seats, plus they had armrests and a big removable console between the seats. Take that out and third row folks have more freedom to roam about the cabin.

Praise too that Nissan loves flat-bottom steering wheels that not only look sportier than round wheels, but free up a bit more legroom for entering and exiting. That said, a 5-5 driver such as myself found the power tilt/telescope steering wheel an advantage too when exiting. With power seat memory functions here I could zip that wheel up and away as I climbed out, but the memory function put it right back where I liked it to drive, once the ignition was engaged.

Standard too are an easy-to-use 9-inch infotainment screen (up from 8 in the lower trims), a WiFi hotspot, 360-degree camera, Nissan Connect Services via Sirius XM, and wireless Apple Car Play, but not wireless Android Auto. That’s a bit odd. There’s also an impressive Bose premium stereo with dual subwoofers.

The Platinum model also adds a 12.3-inch digital driver instrument cluster, wireless phone charger, the driver seat memory and power tilt/telescope steering wheel, plus a large HUD that is handy when traveling through rural areas where small towns strategically and suddenly drop the speed limit by 20 mph. Could help prevent a ticket. Sorry rural po-po!

As for drivability, well, Pathfinder is solid and steady and offers plenty of power with its stout 3.5-liter V6 that delivers 284 horsepower. Even climbing the steep Appalachians there was plenty of oomph, although the silky smooth 9-speed automatic did downshift to make better use of the engine’s torque. Note too that there’s a bit of a lag when pressing the accelerator, so it helps to anticipate the need for speed.

While we didn’t need any off-roading or snow-related drive modes, Nissan offers seven. Automatic did it for us, but there is Snow, Eco, Sand, Mud/Rut, Gravel, and Sport, which emphasizes power and firms steering effort some.

That’s the New River Bridge (W. Va) behind Pathfinder, an excellent family vehicle.

But I found the moderately responsive steering to be dead-on when highway driving, or maneuvering through mountain switchbacks. Pathfinder is easy to keep within its lanes, but in case you want help with that there’s smart cruise control that engages Nissan’s semi-autonomous driving system that buzzes and vibrates the wheel as the car approaches a lane marker. It was a bit oversensitive, but worked well.

I do wish the system could be switched off at times and just cruise control engaged, but the two are permanently linked.

Second and third row seats fold flat for extra cargo hauling.

This model includes AWD in case you do head off-road or live in a sloppy climate. And the Nissan Safety Shield suite includes every detector, assist, and warning system you’d expect today. All good!

Ride was mostly pleasant and controlled, but I noted as we hit Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin roads that it could be pretty firm. That was something I noted in my last Pathfinder review too. The ride isn’t’ harsh, but a little more cushion on sharp pavement bumps and pot holes would maximize Midwestern drivers’ comfort.

With three passengers and a load of luggage the ride seemed much more compliant than with just one or two aboard and no luggage in the big cargo area (45 cubic feet with row three down). An aside here, the thick rubber cargo cover mat ($345 extra) and seat-back protection system would be super for keeping the trunk clean when hauling gardening supplies, etc. However, they are hard to slide heavy suitcases on, especially the transition over the third-row seat folds.

Cargo mats are nice, normally, but hard to slide suitcases over.

One other niggling issue, the fuel filler door doesn’t pop open once pushed, as most do. It is unlatched once you press it, but one must pry it open with your fingers at that point. Could just be an issue on this one test vehicle after a bevy of journalists have slapped that door shut.

Pathfinder will tow 6,000 pounds too, so trailering is simple, but of course will cut gas mileage, which I found impressive for this size SUV. I managed 22 to 26.2 mpg, the better coming in the flatlands, while the lesser was during heavy-duty mountain driving. The EPA rates Pathfinder at 20 mpg city and 25 highway. One hopes a hybrid will be offered soon to further improve those numbers.

Pricing is pretty standard for this segment, so similar to that of Toyota’s Highlander, the Kia Telluride, Hyundai Palisade, Ford Explorer, Mazda CX-9 and Subaru Ascent.

The base Pathfinder goes for $36,295 in front-drive mode. Add $1,900 for AWD, and there is a new Rock Creek version that includes AWD and is aimed more at the off-road market. It starts at $44,355.

There are several other useful trims before the tested Platinum model that lists at $51,405 with delivery. With its added extras this one hit $54,785, right in the mid-section of the standard SUV market transaction price range.

Note this one added $790 for its Baja Storm (metallic tan) paint scheme. Some liked it, others not so much. I did notice though that the two-tone paint (roof is black) was $440 higher than on a similar Pathfinder I’d driven just a year before. That’s a pretty big bump.

If you can find a mid-level trim that suits your needs Pathfinder is a handsome, quiet road master the family can cruise cross-country in.

FAST STATS: 2023 Nissan Pathfinder Platinum 4WD

Hits: Roomy 3-row interior, stout power, 7 drive modes, AWD, flat-bottom steering wheel, complete standard safety equipment plus heated/cooled front seats, heated steering wheel, heated second row seats, dual-pane sunroof. Big instrument display, HUD, and easy-to-use info screen, EZ Flex second row seats, storage under cargo floor, power tilt/telescope wheel, along with quiet, stylish interior.

Misses: Firm ride, some accelerator hesitation, smart cruise engages semi-autonomous driving feature which can’t be disengaged while in cruise mode, fuel door doesn’t pop open easily.

Made in: Smyrna, Tenn.

Engine: 3.5-liter V6, 284 hp / 259 torque

Transmission: 9-speed automatic

Weight: 4,672 lbs.

Wheelbase: 114.2 in.

Length: 197.7 in.

Cargo: 16.6/45/80.5 cu.ft.

Tow: 6,000 lbs.

MPG: 20/25

MPG: 22-26.2 (tested)

Base Price: $51,405 (includes delivery)

Invoice: $50,022

Major Options:

Captain chair pkg. (heated 2nd row captain’s chairs w/removable console), $550

Cross bars, $390

Carpeted floor mats, captain’s chairs, $255

Cargo pkg. (cargo protector mat, net, cargo dividers, console net, first aid kit), $345

Lighting pkg. (illuminated kick plates, welcome lighting), $945

2-tone paint, $790

LED fog lamps, $345

Test vehicle: $54,785

Sources: Nissan, www.kbb.com

Photos: Mark Savage

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SUV/Truck Reviews

2022 Nissan Pathfinder Platinum 4WD

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Pathfinder adds third row seat, 20-inch tires, 2-tone paint …

Can mid-size SUVs get any bigger? Well, sure as buyers move away from minivans they find 5-passenger SUVs are too tiny for many of them. Marketing and design folks listen, so here’s another, the 2022 Nissan Pathfinder with a third row.

Pathfinder started out like Ford’s Explorer and Toyota’s 4Runner, to name a few mid-size utes that now, like full-size pickups, have grown large enough for a family of seven, or even eight, if several are wee ones to fill that third row.

Now Nissan would want me to tell you Pathfinder is actually a touch shorter than in 2020, the last previous model year, but it’s miniscule. They also would like me to tell you the third row has more legroom than many, and it does, but still, if second row folks are 6-foot or beyond the third row seats will be fairly snug.

That’s not a complaint, just a warning because I suspect many folks buy that third row as protection, an insurance policy if you will, for the rare occasion they need seating for more than four or five. Think transporting kids to a sports match or movie. Kids 12 and under will fit easily.

Like other SUVs that fancy themselves minivans the Pathfinder has beefed up its fender flares, flattened its hood, widened its stance and pumped it up with bigger tires (20-inchers on the tester). The effect, a muscular SUV look that fits the market and reflects Nissan’s truck, SUV and crossover styles.

But to give Pathfinder some distinction, Nissan now offers two-tone paint jobs, such as the tested top-level Platinum model with 4-wheel-drive. It was a brilliant Scarlet Ember (metallic red) with a Super Black Metallic roof. Sharp!

From a performance standpoint there’s a trusty 3.5-liter V6 under its flattened hood juicing it to the tune of 284 horsepower along with a torque rating of 259. That’s close to the top of the mid-size SUV heap, Kia’s newish Telluride packing 291 horses.

That’s pretty close and means the Pathfinder, with its easy-shifting 9-speed automatic, will do 0-60 mph in 6.7 seconds, darn fine for a ute weighing roughly 4,500 lbs. according to Car and Driver. Gas mileage with the new tranny is respectable too at 21 mpg city and 26 highway according to the EPA. I got 21.5 mpg in a mix.

The Nissan also will tow up to 6,000 pounds too and now includes Trailer Sway Control as standard, a big plus for haulers.

Sadly the pre-production model I tested felt sort of numb on the road as far as handling, but that’s not unusual for mid- and large-utes. There are seven traction modes dialed in atop the console. They range from snow to mud/rut for off-roaders. Sport firmed up the steering some, but didn’t really make it seem any faster off the line or create sporty handling.

Ride is big truck jiggly, especially on raised bumps. Dips were less of a problem, but the bumps and lumps seemed to jar the interior more than I’d expected in a truck with a 114.2-inch wheelbase. An air suspension or more damping for the rear shocks might help.

Two-tone gray leather interior looks sharp and feels high-end too.

The good news is that inside the two-tone gray leather interior looks and feels luxurious and the cabin is darned quiet thanks to thicker acoustic glass. There’s just a bit of tire noise on certain pavements.

I liked Pathfinder’s interior styling with the two-tone gray seats, dash, and doors. The dash’s center stack is surrounded by black gloss trim as is half the console, the rest a satin chrome to avoid reflection by the shifter. Dash side air vents features a brushed metal look as do the door release handles and lower door trim. Door armrests are gloss black on top.

Doors and seats look stylish with quilted semi-aniline leather (Platinum trim) to soften their feel, but I felt the butt pocket itself was still a bit firm. Possible that will be improved on production models.

There are all the usual safety bits as Nissan wisely makes Safety Shield 360 standard on all models. That includes lane departure warning (vibrates the steering wheel and buzzes a bit), blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert and front and rear emergency braking plus high-beam headlight assist.

Moving up to the SV trim adds ProPilot the adaptive cruise control and semi-autonomous driving aids, and by the Platinum trim there’s a 10.8-inch head-up display that some feel aids driver safety. It all works and was easy to understand and use.

Standard too are a 9-inch infotainment screen (up from 8 in the two lower levels), a WiFi hotspot, 360-degree camera, a flat-bottom steering wheel, Nissan Connect Services via Sirius XM, wireless Apple Car Play, but not wireless Android Auto.

Goodies that are added in the Platinum model include heated and cooled front seats and steering wheel, plus heated rear seats, a big dual-pane sunroof and shade, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, wireless phone charger, driver seat memory, power tilt/telescope steering wheel and memory, that head-up display and a rockin’ Bose sound system.

As mentioned at the outset, the Pathfinder is roomy and now is available with second row captain’s chairs, which the tester had. That limits seating to seven, 2-2-3. But if you go with a bench second row you could squeeze eight folks in. It’s also worth a mention that the second row captain’s chairs slide and tilt at the touch of a side button, or one on the seat back for third row folks to use. Because they slide and tilt in one motion it’s easy to crawl in back using the second row seat to steady yourself climbing aboard.

With the third row in place there’s 16.6 cubic feet of cargo room. That sounds like a lot, but it’s mostly vertical. A cooler will fit as will several bags of groceries. Fold the row three seats down the cargo area is 79.8 cubic feet, on par with most mid-size SUVs. Nissan also provides reasonable under floor storage space to hide valuables.

Pricing runs from $33,410 for a base S model to $36,200 for the SV, and $39,590 for the SL, probably the best buy. Adding 4WD adds $1,900 to each model.

The tested Platinum started at $49,240, including delivery, and with just a couple minor options hit $50,290. That’s also in the ballpark for top-level mid-size SUVs. The good news is that this is so near luxury that most of us would consider it full-on luxury.

Aspiring to a “luxury” brand means adding another $10,000 to $20,000 to the price tag.

FAST STATS: 2022 Nissan Pathfinder Platinum 4WD

Hits: Muscular styling, good power, 4WD, and a third row seat. Roomy vehicle that will tow, luxury look interior, big dual sunroof, heated/cooled seats and heated wheel up front, heated second row seats, power tilt/telescope wheel, Bose stereo, flat-bottom wheel, smart cruise, full load of safety equipment and seven traction modes.

Misses: Jiggly truck ride, vague steering and fairly tight third row seat.

Made in: Smyrna, Tenn.

Engine: 3.5-liter V6, 284 hp / 259 torque

Transmission: 9-speed automatic

Weight: 4,481 lbs.

Wheelbase: 114.2 in.

Length: 197.7 in.

Cargo: 16.6-79.8 cu.ft.

Tow: 6,000 lbs.

MPG: 21/26

MPG: 21.5 (tested)

Base Price: $49,240 (includes delivery)

Invoice: $47,944*

Major Options:

Illuminated kick plates/welcome lighting, $750

Captain’s chair floor mats, $255

Test vehicle: $50,290

Sources: Nissan, www.kbb.com, Car and Driver

*= Kelley Blue Book Fair Market price

Photos: Mark Savage