Buying a used Nissan Pathfinder R52 (2013-2018)

The R52 Series Nissan Pathfinder delivered a modernised design that was born and built in the USA, a design that was biased towards urban rather than rough-road use and clearly intended to attract a broader range of buyers.

Gone was the old-style separate body/chassis with its attendant creaks, groans and paved road roughness. Comfort and space in abundance became definitive and, not that any further salt needed rubbing into the wounds of bush-bashing Pathfinder owners, the R52 series offered two-wheel drive versions.

The diesel engine was gone and prices reduced but there was no shortage of standard equipment, even in the entry-level ST.

The new petrol engine was a 3.5-litre V6 with compulsory Constantly Variable (CVT) Transmission. This technology had been a Nissan speciality for around 20 years; using a metal belt running over pulleys to provide an infinite selection of ratios. The system is broadly similar to the derailleur gears used on bicycles for over 120 years.

Early versions of the V6 delivered 190kW, increasing by 12kW when a Mark 2 version of the R52 appeared in 2016.

All R52 Pathfinders came with seven seats, and passengers including those right up the back were protected by a raft of air-bags. The Pathfinder scored an impressive 35.73 out of a possible 37 points during ANCAP crash testing and received a maximum five-star rating.

The cheapest model in the local R52 range was the 2WD ST variant; it cost just $39,990 but even at that level was able to offer multi-zone air conditioning, 18 inch alloy wheels, a reversing camera and big multi-function screen.

Leap over the well-appointed ST-L and at the top of the range you find the 4WD Ti. These when new cost a tad over $68,000 and came with all the ST-L gear plus sensors and cameras galore, 20-inch alloy wheels, multi-adjustable memory seats, rear passenger entertainment screens, a 13-speaker sound system, an electric tail-gate lift and roof spoiler.

The R52 structure was longer and wider than the preceding Pathfinder and sat on a longer wheelbase. Benefits included extra leg and shoulder room in the main part of the cabin and more space for those in the 'boot'.

Appearing in 2014 was an engine that must have caused eyes to roll on the floors of Nissan dealerships the world over. The R52 Pathfinder Hybrid served to marry a big, heavy but relatively efficient SUV with an engine more suited to something two thirds of its weight and with half the number of doors and seats.

The four-cylinder Hybrid engine was supercharged and developed a healthy 184kW. Its 330Nm of torque just pipped the V6's 325Nm but was developed higher in the rev range. Initial acceleration was a little casual, but in the 80-120km/h overtaking range it would match the times set by the Pathfinder V6 and Toyota's 201kW Kluger.

Hybrids cost $3000 more across the range than the equivalent petrol-only model but were said to deliver at least a 15 per cent boost to fuel economy.

By 2016, when the more powerful Mark 2 version of the Pathfinder arrived, the main range included nine versions starting from $42,000 and reaching almost $70,000. Changes included a minor grille tweak, altered interior trim plus an improved touchscreen plus the engine upgrade.

Reasons that many people buy an R52 series of Nissan Pathfinder can be summarised by quoting a slogan used by Jaguar for many years – Grace, Space and Pace.

For its bulk the R52 Pathfinder is a good-looking vehicle with plenty of interior room and very easy access to the rearmost row of seats. Even with the third-row seats deployed there remains sufficient space behind for a pram or the shopping. In V6 or Hybrid form they accelerate strongly and cruise quietly. Sadly however, not many people buy a Pathfinder because it might be fun to drive.

The V6 engine certainly is held in high esteem by people who know motors but even the later version with 202kW has a mighty task to perform.

In 4WD format the Ti weighs more than two tonnes and can legally tow a 2700kg braked load. Add the full complement of seven passengers plus a few knick-knacks (including filling every one of the 13 cup and/or bottle holders) and you will be asking the engine to shift well in excess of five tonnes.

Don't even attempt that feat with a Hybrid though, because despite also topping two-tonnes empty it is only allowed to haul 1650kg. Be aware too that if you shred one of those costly 20-inch ribbons of rubber with the boat or van attached, all you have to get you home is a temporary spare.

Car reviews of R52s early in their model life expressed disappointment at the lack of feel delivered via the electric power steering. Straight-line it was said to be good but turn-in and making mid-bend adjustments found the system's response below par.

Whether tyres that differ from the factory originals make any difference we can't say, however, Pathfinders with a bit of age to them and on at least their second set of rubber seem to point with quite reasonable precision.

Certainly there is no escaping the fact that the R52 Pathfinder is a heavy, somewhat ponderous vehicle that will get untidy when being pushed harder than their designers envisaged.

One area where the Pathfinder does miss the mark is driver visibility. If you are of a certain height and sit closeish to the wheel there will be a hefty and annoying A pillar thwarting your attempts to accurately position the car for right-hand turns.

Unless you intend venturing often on unpaved roads, a 2WD V6 will cost less in the used market than an All-Wheel Drive and save you a bit at the petrol pump too. With traction control deployed, grip levels on dry roads are excellent.
All-Wheel Drive versions will be useful if you intend towing, especially hauling a boat up slippery ramps. Be wary if venturing off paved roads that this generation of Pathfinder doesn't have the ground clearance of previous versions and at all costs avoid soft sand.

>> Australian-spec R52s have been the subjects of several recalls during their time in the market. Most serious was a need to fix faulty bonnet catches on some vehicles and an oil seal fault in the braking system that could cause a fire. Any Nissan dealer can check if a vehicle has unrectified issues.

>> Rust should not be evident at all, and with all of those sensors, the chances of a Pathfinder hitting an unseen object are minimal. That just leaves underbody damage caused by owners who confuse these family-friendly All Wheel Drives with genuine 4WDs. Check the lower panels, especially the sills, the exhaust and drive-shafts for damage.

>> Continuously-variable transmission failures are regrettably common, and of late have been the subject of threatened legal action. Any shuddering under acceleration, jerkiness when slowing or noise are signs that all in CVT-land is not well and to leave the car alone.

>> If considering an R52 Nissan Pathfinder Hybrid, remember when negotiating a purchase price the extra cost of replacing the 144 volt storage battery. This including installation will go close to $4000 and batteries are said to last around 150,000 kilometres, depending on how the vehicle is used.

Used vehicle grading for Nissan Pathfinder R52 series
Design & Function: 15/20
Safety: 15/20
Practicality: 15/20
Value for Money: 12/20
Wow Factor: 10/20
Score: 67/100