Nissan Pathfinder Ti 2017 Review

In a busy working week, the no-nonsense practicality of the revised Nissan Pathfinder Ti came as a pleasant relief. The Pathfinder just went places and carried loads – doing it all without fuss or discomfort – meaning we had one less thing to stress about.

In other words, it performed in accordance with its design brief.

To be frank, the last time I reviewed the Pathfinder, as a long-term test vehicle it was a bit ho-hum. But Nissan has wrought some tweaks for the new model year, making the seven-seat SUV significantly more appealing – in fact far more so than the sum of those tweaks might at first indicate.

Many of the issues in that earlier report appear to have been resolved, but I'm still dubious about minor ergonomic aspects of the Pathfinder's design. On that front, there’s still good and bad to report.

For example, on the good side, adjusting the braking distance for the adaptive cruise control is dead easy, with a button on the steering wheel’s right spoke to scroll through the settings.

From the not-so-good department, while resetting the fuel consumption figures in the trip computer is similarly simple – by pressing the ‘Enter’ button on the wheel’s left spoke – actually getting to the fuel economy display in the first place proved time consuming. Apparently, if the table of trip computer display functions is already full, the user must delete a selection before the fuel consumption readout can be displayed.

Other than that, the Pathfinder is definitely much improved. There's none of the chugging from the V6/CVT combo and no problem with accidentally locking the doors with the key after climbing inside. As the flagship model, the Pathfinder Ti on test, does stream music via Bluetooth.

While we're stuck with the two-stage locking - to deter car-jacking - at least now the kids can let themselves out of the car while the engine is running and it's in gear (as long as the vehicle is stationary and the driver is holding down the brake pedal).

The Pathfinder remains a fairly decent touring wagon for families. It was quiet on the journey up-country and, over approximately 600km of open-road driving, fuel consumption was 9.3L/100km. On a 60km test loop, the fuel consumption rose to 12.2L/100km, which is likely to be an indicative real-world figure for most owners.

Nissan’s muscular V6 engine offers plenty of performance. Although revs leap immediately to 3000rpm from launch, it's a powerplant delivering abundant mid-range verve, and performance is linear right up to the redline at 6500rpm.

Nissan's Xtronic continuously variable transmission doesn't operate entirely like a conventional CVT as it allows the engine to build revs like a stepped transmission would do.

Unlike many CVTs, there is an 'L’ (‘Low') mode for optimal torque multiplication and performance, rather than a series of programmed steps. It's not a set ratio, rather it slides up and down according to road speed, keeping the engine revs at or near maximum torque. This is manifested in the engine's reluctance to rev beyond 4000rpm. However simply slip back to ‘D’ (‘Drive) and the engine will rev out normally.

The Pathfinder has a part-time (on-demand) four-wheel drive system. It can be left in two-wheel drive (front wheels driven) for better fuel economy, or slipped into 'Auto' (all-wheel drive) when required. Overall, the system works pretty well, but the two-wheel drive mode will naturally prompt some wheel spin and tyre squeal off the mark – understandable with so much engine output available in a relatively heavy vehicle. All the same, accelerating in two-wheel drive could be faster on high friction surfaces. And, despite the engine's performance, the Pathfinder does feel like it bogs down more in ‘Auto’ mode.

In two-wheel drive, perhaps reflecting the extra power and torque, the Pathfinder serves up torque steer in some circumstances. Front-end grip is acceptably good for a vehicle of this type, although should you jump on the anchors or turn into corners at speeds beyond family SUVs, the tyres are quick to protest.

When pushed, the Pathfinder will push back, but, after preliminary 'warning' understeer, it digs deeper and tracks around corners. There's some steering feel present too, and not as much body roll as before, but under brakes the Pathfinder does pitch fore and aft.

Ride is initially firm – thanks in part to the larger wheels and stronger springs – and feels busy over smaller bumps, but provides nice comfort at touring speeds.

Behind the wheel, the Pathfinder provides Japanese-standard ergonomics – instruments which are sensibly located and easy to read. I found the driver's seat to be a little flat in the cushion, but during the week did drive hours on end in the Pathfinder without feeling sorry for myself at the end of each journey.

The large, two-piece sunroof doesn't infringe on front row headroom too much, although taller adults in the second row might find the sunroof and headlining a little close.

Comfort in row two is commendable, with adjustable vents and a third zone for the climate control. Below the HVAC controls are a USB port, HDMI port and separate volume controls and headphone jacks. These accept a feed from multimedia sources and two video screens are located in the rear of the front headrests (excellent for entertaining the kids).

Climbing into the third-row seating is made easier by the ability to slide forward the seat in front with just one hand. And there's a proper seat return memory. Unfortunately, the smaller (40 per cent) section of the seat is located on the driver's side, rather than the nearside of the car, which would be the safer alternative for youngsters embarking.

There are vents servicing the third-row occupants and plenty of headroom back there too. But unless the second row seats are slid forward, knee-room is a test for anyone older than young teens. On that point, the second-row seat does offer more than enough legroom, so sliding it forward a tad isn’t asking too much.

With the third-row seating folded flat in the floor, the Nissan Pathfinder’s luggage capacity is generous. Cargo capacity is aided by the space-saver spare-wheel being located below the boot floor (accessible from underneath, without the need to remove the contents of the boot).

Ultimately, it's that 453-litre boot which gives the Pathfinder Ti an edge over the motoring.com.au car of the year, the Mazda CX-9. And the Pathfinder produces more power too.

For SUV buyers who prefer a naturally-aspirated V6 over a turbocharged four-cylinder, the Pathfinder remains a very viable option.

2017 Nissan Pathfinder Ti pricing and specifications:
Price: $66,190 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 3.5-litre V6 petrol
Output: 202kW/340Nm
Transmission: Continuously variable
Fuel: 10.1L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 234g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP (2013)

Related reading:
>> 2017 Nissan Pathfinder bobs up
>> Nissan Pathfinder 2014 Review
>> Nissan Pathfinder Long Term Test: Video Review