Redesigned Pathfinder

[Densetsu]

Having a decent amount of power and towing capacity, paired with 30 MPG fuel economy, makes this a very interesting player. I think I might have judged this too quickly. I certainly won't be buying this anytime soon -- my R50 has low miles and I'm always skeptical of the reliability in the first couple years of a new generation.

But give it 5 years or so, this just might be what I'm driving.

[Timmbo]

Lets be real, highway MPG is 26 for the FWD model, 25 highway with AWD model. But truly, this is a real vehicle that meets the needs of MOST people with a lot of storage capacity and impressive fuel economy, and awesome features.

[kerrton]

Still no one interested in the 2013 Pathy? I am surprised there aren't at least a couple people taking advantage of the pre-order incentives on until Oct. 15th, although myself I'd wait to drive one prior to commiting to purchase.

Hey Timmbo, I think we need to update the name of this forum to include the new JX, and maybe snag some new JX members!

[Timmbo]

Dude, that is the thing, there are NO pre-orders in the U.S., only in Canada, not sure WTF is up with that. My dealer e-mailed me Monday, they actually have a new Pathfinder at the dealership TODAY for training and to show to invite only customers. Obviously I am not going now since I have the JX, but even in my JX Forum it has been quiet. I think once the new Pathy is out, then there will be a lot more traffic. We should look at merging the new Pathfinder with the JX Forum. They are the same for the most part. My Nav screen modification will work the same on the new Pathy.

[kerrton]

First Drive and Detailed Review of 2013 Pathfinder. They compared it to the Ford Explorer a few times and mentioned the Pat had the advanatage in certain key areas including handling and efficiency....notably the Pat weighs 4000 lbs and the Explorer is just under 5000 lb so Nissan has done a much better job of weight reduction.

http://ca.autoblog.com/2012/10/22/2013- ... ve-review/

[Timmbo]

I have read several reviews that said the interior is much nicer on the Pathfinder than the Explorer. i know comparing my JX to the Explorer, the JX is on another planet.

Also should note, Nissan has been quiet, probably to ramp up inventory, but there are now dealers with the 2013 Pathfinder on their lots, most only have 1 (some as many as 3 or 4), probably to use as a demo.

[Timmbo]

Here is a decent review:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryDkzMqLz38

[kerrton]

Interior is definately better in the Pat than in the Explorer, I couldn't believe that the 2nd row doesn't even slide in the Explorer - both the 2nd and 3rd rows slide and recline in the Pat! The Explorer 3.5 puts out 290 hp whereas the VQ35 only puts out 240 (correction, 260), but I'd take the efficiency benefit of the Pat over the Explorer as well as the option to lock in FWD mode (turn off AWD). The 2.0 turbo in the Explorer is pretty efficient and surprisingly powerful, but I don't think they sell many of them.

The biggest thing that I'm excited about is the price of the Pathfinder, the base model in Canada is $30 grand even, whereas competitors all start around $35 grand. The SL trim Pathfinder which is basically loaded with FWD is only $35000 which is incredible value if you don't have a need for AWD. Nissan didn't quite get everything perfect but they got real close, if quality and reliablity is there this will be winner.

[Timmbo]

260 hp on the Pathfinder.

Here is the other deal, same thing on the JX. The 0-60 times are just under 8 seconds, but the quarter mile is under 16. The JX & Pathy really gain on others between the 0-60 and quarter mile times. Once you test drive a JX or a Pathfinder, you will see what I mean, these things are awesome passers on the highways. Immediate torque and fluid delivery. Now, on my JX I do have the luxury of a SPORT mode for quick off the line acceleration, but in favor of MPG I am trying not to use SPORT mode.

In my opinion, the VALUE on the Pathfinder is OUT OF THIS WORLD!!!!!

[PapaSmurf2k3]

You guys should go take a tour of the Smyrna plant and see these things get built.

[Timmbo]

Would love to!!!

[nissangirl74]

Charlie at Peoria Nissan called me on Friday. He has Pathfinders (and new Sentras) on the lot. I go test drive them both on Tuesday. I'll post up a link to the review here.

[GRNMACHINE]

Dont know much about new Path, previous model looked great but not very impressed with interior/build quality from test drive etc. New Path is visually hard to swallow from pics and commercial. Maybe it will look better in person. Alot of new FWD based SUV/crossovers are starting to blend together in looks, Path will need something to seperate itself and stand out among the crowd (like the 370z and Juke). From the little I have seen and read, not sure that will happen. I do hope they sell well.

[kerrton]

I see the Pathfinder as very distinguished from its competitors including the Honda Pilot, Toy Highlander, Ford Explorer - price and value for the money. For example, in CAD the Pilot starts at $36k, the Pat starts at $29,999 and comes quite well equipped for a base model. The 3rd trim level SL which includes everything except leather and sunroof is $35,500, the same as the base Pilot. Numbers are similar when comparing to the Toyota and Ford, Toyota is the worst for having nothing on their base models, you pretty much have to spend over $40-$44,000 to get a well equipped Explorer or Highlander. The Pat is MUCH cheaper, although in the above example I am quoting the FWD Pat, but even if you add AWD it still only tops out at $37 compared to $44,000. AND, for the much lower sticker price you get a brand new model with the newest tech, chassis and powertrain (ex. Next-GenCVT), which results in better fuel efficiency than the more expensive competitors.

I believe they will sell a ton of the new Pat in the next 1-2 years as its really a no brainer. 3-5 years out its not so clear as the Pilot and Highlander will have redesigned models, we'll have to see how much of an improvement their redesigns bring to the table. Also the Explorer will likely add new powertrain options including an 8-spd transmission. But as of today, I think the Pat is much better than the competition provided it has the reliablity and durability that we all need.

[nissangirl74]

Here's the down and dirty guys. Cliff notes: I love the vehicle. I hate the fact they put the Pathfinder badge on it.

http://www.nicoclub.com/archives/2013-n ... eview.html

[PathyProject]

I work on a lot where there is a Nissan dealership, so I can check out all the new Nissan vehicles if I want. I checked out the 2013 Pathfinder, and there are some things I like and some things I hate.

First off I love the interior, it is very comfortable and there are many amenities that will keep a buyer happy. There is plenty of space in the front and back seats, but legroom and space is very limited in the third row. Unless you have a big family you will most likely not use the third row seats. On the more expensive Pathfinders you have cool stuff like the around view monitor, a rear hatch that can close at the touch of a button and not to forget the awesome dual panoramic roof. With that roof everyone can enjoy some sunshine.

Now when it comes to the exterior I'm not a big fan. I dislike how the new Pathfinder does not have the door handles on the C-pillar, and how it lacks the rugged appearance of the older Pathfinders. I feel like the Pathfinder is a fraud in a way. Like a pretender it bares little similarities to past Pathfinders. To me looks like a large Murano and it drives similar in a way. I have no problem with the Murano and actually like it, but the Pathfinder is supposed to be a whole different beast.

Last but not least, when it comes to the way the Pathfinder drives, I don't like it. The Pathfinder comes in 2WD and 4WD the 2WD version being a FRONT WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLE! Who would have thought a Pathfinder would ever be front wheel drive? Then there is the CVT, now I have no problems with the CVT. It works well with the Altima, Murano and such. However, in my opinion it doesn't work well with the Pathfinder. The ride is way too refined for a vehicle that is supposed to be off-road worthy. I like the fact that there is the option of having the Pathfinder as a 4WD vehicle, but it doesn't feel right. It't like having a 4WD Altima. Ugh! Nissan what were you thinking?! If I were to buy a new Pathfinder I'd go with the 2012 I've driven the 2012 and the 2013, and I must say the 2012 offers what I want in a Pathfinder, now that is another story.

[Timmbo]

From a dealership standpoint, you have to be excited! This is going to sell very well, and it is exactly what Nissan needed. Whether or not they should have named it the Pathfinder is certainly up for debate, personally from Nissan's perspective it was the right choice.

You want an off roader, go buy an Xterra, that will fit the bill perfectly, and the 2nd row of seats is a much nicer place to be than the 2012 Pathfinder's 2nd row was.

[kerrton]

Yeah its a complete redesign in a world that has changed and continues to change very fast, fuel efficiency and environmental concerns are huge right now and will only become more so with time. Things are going to quite different, that doesn't mean they can't use the Pat name just because the new model is different. If you want the same old Pat then buy an old one, the days of the gas guzzler SUV selling millions are over, i.e. not profitable so the new Pat fits with the times of today, not yesterday, its the only way for Nissan to stay in business and keep people as happy customers.

[kerrton]

Lots of problems with the next-gen CVT and more specifically the torque converter causing severe "juddering" and loss of power. Other than that I don't see a lot of reported issues, if they can quickly and effectively correct the transmission issues 2014+ might be a good year to buy a Pathfinder.

[PapaSmurf2k3]

http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/29/2013 ... r-shudder/

[kerrton]

....or perhaps 2015 might be better, there's a good chance they'll provide update Infotainment with smartphone integration. This is essential to compete and keep buyers from drifting to Ford, GM and Dodge who offer much better bells and whistles, including using your smartphone to communicate with your car from anywhere, remote start the engine using your phone, check specs and diagnostics etc.. Whether these things are actually valuable isn't the issue, its a fact that people like gadgets, and its a big part of the decision making process - Nissan needs to step it up in this department if they want to remain competitive. If they can do better than the buggy MyFord system, they might be able to steal some Ford loyals over to the Nissan dark side.....!