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Nissan Pathfinder 2024 review: Ti

The Pathfinder is a relaxed highway cruiser. (Image: Mark Oastler)

The Nissan Pathfinder has evolved through five generations since its launch in the mid-1980s. It commenced as a body-on-frame high-riding off-roader like the Navara ute from which it was derived, but today it’s a unitary-bodied, lower-riding crossover with seating for eight.

Even so, the fifth-gen Pathfinder is finding the path to sales leadership a challenging one. Latest VFACTS car industry figures for 2023 show that Nissan’s good-looking SUV currently represents only 1.3 per cent of its hotly contested 'Large SUV' segment, which has more than 20 models competing for buyers.

Interestingly, the top three in this market - Toyota Prado, Isuzu MU-X and Ford Everest - are all body-on-frame high-riding off-roaders, which begs the question if Nissan was correct in moving away from this traditional truck-style design?

Even so, we thought it timely to spend a week aboard the latest Pathfinder, to see if it’s worthy of a larger slice of the SUV pie.

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Price and Features – Does it represent good value for the price? What features does it come with? 8/10

Our test vehicle is the Ti 4WD, which sits one rung below the premium Ti-L 4WD on the local ladder.

Our example (like the Ti-L) is available only with a 3.5-litre petrol V6 and nine-speed automatic transmission for a list price of $71,490, plus on-road costs. Its 'Gun Metallic' premium paint costs extra.

It's generous with luxury appointments starting with unique 18-inch machined-finish alloy wheels and 255/60 tyres (but only a space-saver spare). (Image: Mark Oastler) It's generous with luxury appointments starting with unique 18-inch machined-finish alloy wheels and 255/60 tyres (but only a space-saver spare). (Image: Mark Oastler)

It's generous with luxury appointments starting with unique 18-inch machined-finish alloy wheels and 255/60 tyres (but only a space-saver spare) plus a powered tailgate, roof rails, full LED lighting, heated door mirrors and more.

Central command for the multimedia system is a 9.0-inch touchscreen display including wireless Apple and Android connectivity and digital radio. (Image: Mark Oastler) Central command for the multimedia system is a 9.0-inch touchscreen display including wireless Apple and Android connectivity and digital radio. (Image: Mark Oastler)

Inside is a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, heated front and rear seats, leather-accented trim on seats and doors, roll-up sun-shades for the rear passenger door windows, a wireless smartphone charging pad, a USB charging outlet for the third row of seats and a quality 13-speaker Bose audio system.

Full LED lighting. (Image: Mark Oastler) Full LED lighting. (Image: Mark Oastler)

There are also steering wheel paddle-shifters, a driver’s heads-up display, tri-zone air con, plus five USB ports and two 12-volt outlets to keep a full crew charged and connected.

Central command for the multimedia system is a 9.0-inch touchscreen display including wireless Apple and Android connectivity and digital radio.

Design – Is there anything interesting about its design? 8/10

The latest Pathfinder rides on a 2900mm wheelbase with an 11.8-metre turning circle. Although it's shorter in overall length with less frontal overhang than its predecessor, it has a wider stance (aka track width) for improved handling plus a height increase for more headroom. There’s also more leg and hip-room.

The sumptuous interior is a tasteful mix of leather accents, piano black and satin chrome with classy exposed stitching along numerous seams including the leather-wrapped steering wheel. It exudes a high-quality look and feel.

The 2/3/3 seating layout can theoretically cater for up to eight occupants, starting with seating for the driver and front passenger which is spacious and comfortable with ample adjustment.

The latest Pathfinder rides on a 2900mm wheelbase with an 11.8-metre turning circle. (Image: Mark Oastler) The latest Pathfinder rides on a 2900mm wheelbase with an 11.8-metre turning circle. (Image: Mark Oastler)

For those in the grandstand-style second row, it also feels spacious thanks not only to the wide-opening doors and increased head and legroom, but also the flat floor with no transmission hump to restrict foot placement for those in the middle. The recline of the 60/40-split backrests can be adjusted for added comfort.

Second-row passengers also have access to their own control panel on the rear of the centre console that allows individual adjustment of seat-heating and temperature/fan speed for vents located under the front seats and in the roof.

  • 2024 Nissan Pathfinder Ti I Seats 2024 Nissan Pathfinder Ti I Seats
  • 2024 Nissan Pathfinder Ti I Seats 2024 Nissan Pathfinder Ti I Seats
  • 2024 Nissan Pathfinder Ti I Seats 2024 Nissan Pathfinder Ti I Seats
  • 2024 Nissan Pathfinder Ti I Seats 2024 Nissan Pathfinder Ti I Seats

The second row tilts and slides forward to provide access to the third row. This is designed to carry up to three occupants, but by our measure only small kids could manage that.

For adults, it’s really a two-seater and that’s only for short trips and only with the second row slid forward at least 100mm to provide adequate knee room.

Even so, the third row offers adequate headroom (even for tall people) and with large glass areas and overhead cooling vents does its best to minimise a claustrophobic feel.

So, we see it as either a seven- or eight-seater, depending on the kid-to-adult mix.

Practicality – How practical is its space and tech inside? 8/10

The Ti 4WD’s 2044kg kerb weight (unladen and full of fuel) and 2750kg GVM (how much it can legally weigh when fully loaded) provides a load capacity of 706kg.

That limit could easily be reached or exceeded just by eight adults, before you could think about loading their luggage.

So, be mindful of combined passenger and luggage weight, particularly when planning a trip, to ensure you’re not over the GVM limit.

  • 2024 Nissan Pathfinder Ti I Practicality 2024 Nissan Pathfinder Ti I Practicality
  • 2024 Nissan Pathfinder Ti I Practicality 2024 Nissan Pathfinder Ti I Practicality
  • 2024 Nissan Pathfinder Ti I Practicality 2024 Nissan Pathfinder Ti I Practicality
  • 2024 Nissan Pathfinder Ti I Practicality 2024 Nissan Pathfinder Ti I Practicality

It’s also rated tow up to 2700kg of braked trailer, which is suitably large to cater for many recreational towing tasks.

However, as there’s no published GCM (or how much the Ti can legally carry and tow at the same time) we don’t know if it can haul its maximum payload while towing its maximum trailer weight.

Even so, it offers 205 litres of internal load volume with the second and third rows upright (ideal space for a supermarket shop), which expands to 554 litres with the third row folded flat and 782 litres with the second and third rows folded.

There are four cargo tie-down points and a surprisingly large bin hidden under the rear floor. (Image: Mark Oastler) There are four cargo tie-down points and a surprisingly large bin hidden under the rear floor. (Image: Mark Oastler)

There are four cargo tie-down points and a surprisingly large bin hidden under the rear floor.

In terms of internal storage there’s a glove box, console box, overhead glasses holder and seat pockets plus a variety of bins, bottle holders and cupholders thoughtfully placed throughout the cabin catering for all three rows.

Nissan claims a total of 16 cupholders, but by our measure there are 18. Either way, there’s more than ample storage for drinks and personal items in this well-designed cabin.

Under the bonnet – what are the key stats for its engine and transmission? 8/10

The Pathfinder is powered a lusty direct-injection 3.5-litre petrol V6. It produces 202kW at 6400rpm and 340Nm at 4800rpm.

It’s paired with a nine-speed torque converter automatic transmission which offers the choice of manual sequential-shifting using steering wheel-mounted paddles.

The Pathfinder is powered a lusty direct-injection 3.5-litre petrol V6. It produces 202kW at 6400rpm and 340Nm at 4800rpm. (Image: Mark Oastler) The Pathfinder is powered a lusty direct-injection 3.5-litre petrol V6. It produces 202kW at 6400rpm and 340Nm at 4800rpm. (Image: Mark Oastler)

The full-time 4WD transmission offers seven different drive modes via a rotary-dial on the console, which optimises performance in each selected mode. These include 'Standard', 'Sport', 'Eco', 'Snow', 'Sand', 'Mud/Rut' and 'Tow'.

Efficiency – what is its fuel consumption? What is its driving range? 6/10

Nissan claims combined cycle average consumption of 10.5L/100km and the Ti’s dash display was claiming 12.9 at the completion of our 213km test, which was mostly city and suburban driving with some limited highway running and from one to five occupants on board at different times.

Our own figure, calculated from actual fuel bowser and tripmeter readings, came in higher again at 14.5L/100km which exceeds the usual 2.0-3.0L/100km discrepancy between manufacturer figures and our own.

So, based on our ‘real world’ driving and at-pump consumption figure, you could expect a driving range of around 500km from its 71-litre tank. (Image: Mark Oastler) So, based on our ‘real world’ driving and at-pump consumption figure, you could expect a driving range of around 500km from its 71-litre tank. (Image: Mark Oastler)

In other words, it drinks more than a diesel but is about average for a powerful six-cylinder petrol engine of this size under test conditions.

So, based on our ‘real world’ driving and at-pump consumption figure, you could expect a driving range of around 500km from its 71-litre tank. And it requires premium unleaded.

Driving - What’s it like to drive? 8/10

A good example of its comfort range is that I’m 186cm tall and my wife is only 165cm, yet we both managed to find comfortable seating positions. However, she said that ideally the range of seat-height adjustment could be a tad higher given her smaller stature.

Even so, she liked the Ti and found it easy to drive, particularly in negotiating busy shopping centre car parks with its various cameras, parking sensors etc.

We encountered heavy rain at times during our test, when the superior traction of its 4WD system was most noticeable and appreciated when cornering. (Image: Mark Oastler) We encountered heavy rain at times during our test, when the superior traction of its 4WD system was most noticeable and appreciated when cornering. (Image: Mark Oastler)

She also appreciated how easy it is to fold down the trio of headrests on the third row of seats when not in use, to provide a clear view through the rear window.

We encountered heavy rain at times during our test, when the superior traction of its 4WD system was most noticeable and appreciated when cornering.

It also ensured no wheelspin from standing starts, which is reassuring given the V6 engine’s vigorous low-down response. This engine has excellent performance.

This engine has excellent performance. (Image: Mark Oastler) This engine has excellent performance. (Image: Mark Oastler)

We also liked the ride quality, steering feel and braking, along with the nine-speed automatic thanks to its near-seamless shifting and good all-round response. We did try manual-shifting using the paddle-shifters for a more ‘engaging’ driving experience at times.

It also makes a comfortable highway cruiser given its low engine, tyre and wind noise and suitably long gearing, that requires only 1500rpm from the V6 to maintain 110km/h and optimise fuel economy.

Safety – What safety equipment is fitted? What is its safety rating? 9/10

The Pathfinder boasts a maximum five-star ANCAP rating (awarded 2022) and is loaded with passive and active safety features, starting with nine airbags including side-curtain airbags covering all three rows and a front-row centre airbag.

There’s also the full 'Nissan Intelligent Mobility' safety suite packed with active safety features including AEB, plus Nissan’s semi-autonomous 'ProPILOT' system for use with the adaptive cruise control.

There’s also 360-degree and reversing cameras, front/rear parking sensors, tyre pressure monitoring and more.

In the second row there are ISOFIX anchorages on the two outer seating positions and top-tethers for all three positions, plus an additional set of ISOFIX and top-tether fixtures in the third row.

Ownership – What warranty is offered? What are its service intervals? What are its running costs? 7/10


The Wrap

It looks good, offers benchmark safety and combines strong engine performance with sure-footed traction, particularly on low-grip surfaces. There’s also a spacious, comfortable and practical cabin that can seat up to eight and it can tow up to 2.7 tonnes. Apart from its V6 thirst, based on our at-pump figures, there’s little we can criticise about the latest Pathfinder in Ti 4WD specification, which is certainly worthy of consideration for large SUV buyers.  

Likes

V6 performance
Spacious and comfortable eight-seat cabin
All-wheel drive traction

Dislikes

V6 thirst
Seat height for short drivers
Only a space-saver spare

Scores

Mark:

3.9

The Kids:

3.9

$71,490

Based on new car retail price

VIEW PRICING & SPECS

Disclaimer: The pricing information shown in the editorial content (Review Prices) is to be used as a guide only and is based on information provided to Carsguide Autotrader Media Solutions Pty Ltd (Carsguide) both by third party sources and the car manufacturer at the time of publication. The Review Prices were correct at the time of publication.  Carsguide does not warrant or represent that the information is accurate, reliable, complete, current or suitable for any particular purpose. You should not use or rely upon this information without conducting an independent assessment and valuation of the vehicle.