Why the Nissan Pathfinder makes the perfect family road-tripper

Nissan has lifted its game to bring even more value to its popular Nissan Pathfinder seven-seater SUV.

The 2019 update sees the model range focus on adding a number of active safety features as standard throughout the range, as well as also championing a selection of non-safety related upgrades for comfort and convenience.

Here are five reasons why we think road trips are made easier by the 2019 Nissan Pathfinder.

More often than not, the real luxuries are reserved for those sitting in the front seats, but not in the case of the Nissan Pathfinder. As a standard equipment feature for the Ti, the second row sees the addition of heated seats. It is not as customisable as the front (three levels of heating), but the second row (excluding the middle seat) has the option of either low or high.

And although second-row Pathfinder passengers do miss out on the option of cooled seats, they still have independent climate control thanks to the tri-zone climate control feature standard across the model range.

That said, chances are kids (and adults alike) will be fighting for shotgun on those hot summer days.

All-in-all two heated seats in the rear is a nice start, especially as it is not even an option on many popular SUVs today.

Living in Australia feels like we are living in the extremes. One day it’s blistering hot, another is wintery cold. It feels so unpredictable.

Within proximity of the Nissan Pathfinder you can activate remote engine start (press the lock button on the Nissan Intelligent Key, then hold down the remote engine start button for at least two seconds).

Thus engine will start up, either pre-heating or pre-cooling your car depending on your existing climate control settings. That is, if your last settings were having the heated seats on, and the heater cranked up; these functions will start while your car is locked and idling.

If you have young kids, this is a feature you will love, and even if you don’t, the convenience of having your car at an optimum temperature before you head off is enough for you to want to have this feature forever.

Think about this, you now no longer have to suffer the wrath of scorching hot seats on a summer day or frosty cold ones in the winter. All you need is remote engine start and a little extra time.

The Nissan Pathfinder’s entertainment system delivers options a plenty.

This is specially the case in the Ti, with the real showstopper (or shall I say, starter) being the Tri-zone entertainment system which includes two wireless headphones, a remote control, and rear HDMI and Type A USB ports for video playback.

On top of this, as standard across the Pathfinder range, you also have a total of four 12V ports (three x front; one x rear), a couple of Type A USB ports up the front, and a couple of fast charging Type C USB ports in the second row.

Tablets, phones and other portable devices? You’ll never run out charge.

And if you get sick of looking at screens you can always just look up and stargaze out of the sunroof or moonroof (included in the ST-L and Ti).

With enough options for entertainment, it doesn’t matter whether you’re a ‘big kid’ or a little kid, road trips are now even more enjoyable.

With up to 10 cupholders, there really is no excuse for not having hydration at the ready in your Nissan Pathfinder.

Indeed, even without utilising the cupholders in the middle seat of the second row, you still have a minimum of eight easy-to-access opportunities… And, if you’re not limited by the conventional drink bottle shape and style, the door storage has more than ample room to squeeze in your squishy drink bottles, and even stash in some snacks.

Additionally, the cupholders are well sized so even your larger reusable bottles have a good chance of fitting in here.

On top of this, with the motion-activated tailgate (a simple kick under the right rear side of the boot will see the tailgate magically open) if you’re hands are full dealing with the kids or holding the shopping, there’s one less thing to worry about.

Across all grades of the Nissan Pathfinder (ST, ST+, ST-L & Ti), once into the boot space, there’s 453 litres of space even with the third row is in use. With just two rows up, you then have 1354 litres to use.

Even the second-row cabin space feels quite generous with plenty of room for backpacks and space to stretch the legs out.

Long road trip ahead? Don’t worry, you’ve got the drinks and snacks covered, plus packing and unpacking the boot is a cinch.

At entry-level, the Pathfinder brings the plenty of safety technologies as standard: AEB, forward collision warning, blind spot warning, rear cross traffic alert and adaptive cruise control.

The model also features a number of child restraint and ISOFIX points with the second row offering two ISOFIX points (RH/LH ISOFIX + tether and centre tether) for the outer seats, and the third row offering a top tether anchor point for the right-hand seat.

When installing or removing child seats, the movement between the second row and third row allow you access with minimal effort thanks to the ability to push and tilt the seat forward.

The top-level Pathfinder on the other hand has rear door alert on top of the other safety inclusions. Rear door alert serves to remind the driver to check the second row before leaving the vehicle.

Last but not least, the Nissan Pathfinder has achieved the maximum 5-star ANCAP rating.