Nissan Pathfinder ST 2014 Long-term Review - 1

From time to time we also take the opportunity to spend more time in a vehicle. These longer-term tests can be as short as a couple of weeks or up to six months.

Long-term tests give our staff writers and contributors a chance to get to know a car as an owner would. While the car is with us, we pay for fuel, pay for the servicing and generally use and live with the car as a new owner would.

Manufacturers tend to have a love-hate relationship with long-term tests. Six months is plenty long enough to fall out of love with the latest and greatest, and start to nitpick -- just like real owners do.

That said, we believe long-term tests give car buyers an added insight into the vehicle on test. Not to mention the qualities behind the brand and nameplate.

Following this line of thought, it is perhaps no surprise that the previous-generation’s Pathfinder’s diesel-only status is no longer -- instead, the R52 powered by a naturally-aspirated 3.5-litre petrol V6. It produces more power (190kW plays 140kW) but less torque (325Nm versus 450Nm) than the 2.5-litre turbocharged oiler it replaces, but promises to be far more refined.

Where it does lose out, at least on paper, is fuel consumption; a curiosity in a modern world obsessed with lowering such a figure. The previous auto ST slurped a claimed 9.0L/100km on the combined cycle, whereas its replacement sits at 10.2L/100km.

Also gone is the choice of transmission, the auto or manual option 'boxes replaced with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) fitted across the range, which includes a front-drive only model for the first time since the nameplate arrived in Australia in 1987.

The trim levels (familiar ST, ST-L and Ti)are offered for two and four-wheel drive models, our long-termer being a base ST with the cockpit-selectable, electronically-controlled ALL MODE 4x4 system. It is available from $44,290 (plus on-road costs); a $4300 premium over the front-wheel drive variant but some $7600 cheaper than the previous ST 4WD automatic.

The latest Pathfinder ST rides on 18-inch alloys with 235/65R18 tyres, though there’s no full-size spare, only a space saver and tyre repair kit.

Inside, the ST has a 7.0-inch QVGA front display, foregoing the 8.0-inch VGA LCD jobbie in the higher-spec variants. It doesn’t really matter though, as sat-nav isn’t even optional in the ST. It does get a single CD/DVD player with MP3 capability and USB/iPod connectivity, six speaker sound and a 2GB hard drive for song storage. The handsfree Bluetooth phone system is also welcome.

Tri-zone climate control with vents to second and third rows (the Pathfinder has seven seats) add a modicum of comfort. Keyless entry and start is another nice touch. The driver also benefits from a power adjustable seat, trimmed like the rest of the seats in cloth.

The second row seat offers a 60/40 split-fold while the third can split 50/50 and is capable of folding completely flat.

In the flesh, there is no doubting the Pathfinder is a whole lot of wagon. At over five metres in length and nearly two metres wide, it’s an imposing, 1985kg presence.

There are a couple of cues as to its ability once you’ve settled down inside, the rotary ALL MODE 4x4 dial offering a locked four-wheel drive function, and a button which enables tow mode, assisting the Pathfinder to 2700kg braked towing capacity (or 750kg unbraked). But similarly, there are a couple of touches missing, including any form of hill descent control.

On-road, the initial impression is that you can never avoid the Pathfinder’s sheer scale, though the controls actually do a fine job of reducing effort. The steering is finger light, almost to a fault, and the CVT is smooth under light throttle applications.

Occupants are well cossetted from bumps and isolated remarkably well from road and wind noise. It’s a comfortable, commanding place from which to drive.

Squeezing more throttle elicits a refined burble from the big V6, which is no hardship, but the slurring CVT does reveal itself when firm acceleration is required.

Off-road, where the Pathfinder has always performed well, is where the latest car falls away. Its imposing size makes it hard to accurately place the passenger side of the car along narrow bush tracks, and even front-on that massive bonnet obscures low-down forward vision when you need it most.

Locking the CVT in ‘L’ reveals another failing – a lack of engine braking. Crawling down a muddy slope requires gentle foot braking at regular intervals to keep the pace in check, lest the vehicle run away from under you. A car has never needed hill descent control more than the Pathfinder.

Beyond these two off-road shortcomings, the ALL MODE system provides reasonable traction.

While the Pathfinder’s 160mm ground clearance, 14.7 degree approach and 22.3 degree departure angles proved capable in the mild off-road conditions we encounter on our familiarisation run, there’s little doubt serious off-roading will be best left to ‘proper’ 4x4s.

Fuel consumption during a 423km mixed bag of off- and on-road driving was 10.6L/100km.

Over the coming months the Pathy will be subject to a barrage of users and conditions, so be sure to check back as we get under the skin of Nissan’s latest wagon.