Acceleration

2WD SE	4WD SE	4WD SE Off-Road	4WD LE w/nav. sys.	Class Average
6	5	5	5	5

Peppy from a stop and around town. Test 2WD SE clocked 7.8 sec 0-60 mph. Passing maneuvers require brief moment for transmission to downshift, but power ample thereafter. However, some testers feel V6 labors to deliver brisk uphill acceleration from midrange speeds. Towing capacity is 6000 lb.

Fuel Economy

2WD SE	4WD SE	4WD SE Off-Road	4WD LE w/nav. sys.	Class Average
4	3	3	3	3.8

Test 2WD SE averaged 17.0 mpg in a city/highway mix despite gas-eating performance tests. Test 4WD versions averaged 13.6-15.7 mpg. Nissan recommends premium-grade fuel.

Ride Quality

2WD SE	4WD SE	4WD SE Off-Road	4WD LE w/nav. sys.	Class Average
6	6	6	5	5.4

Less absorbent than car-type rivals, but fine for a truck. The 16-inch tires iron out broken pavement better than LE's 17s or SE Off-Road's all-terrain treads. Still, bumps and expansion joints can cause some bounce, wheel patter, even body shudder.

Steering/Handling/Braking

2WD SE	4WD SE	4WD SE Off-Road	4WD LE w/nav. sys.	Class Average
4	4	4	4	4.1

Direct, responsive steering, but even low-effort cornering induces noseplow, body lean typical of truck-type SUVs. Turning radius too wide for close-quarters maneuvering. Smooth, progressive brakes.

Quietness

2WD SE	4WD SE	4WD SE Off-Road	4WD LE w/nav. sys.	Class Average
5	5	5	5	5.2

Quiet for a truck in gentle cruising, but wind rush rises markedly with speed. V6 sounds coarse, strained at full throttle. SE Off-Road's all-terrain tires quite noisy, regular treads less so.

Controls

2WD SE	4WD SE	4WD SE Off-Road	4WD LE w/nav. sys.	Class Average
6	6	6	6	6.3

Well-placed gauges, user-friendly controls. Available navigation system takes time to learn, but doesn't absorb audio/climate controls--a plus. Cabin surfaces padded in places frequently touched; mostly hard plastic elsewhere, which imparts a low-budget ambience. LE's wood-tone trim lends a classier look.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

2WD SE	4WD SE	4WD SE Off-Road	4WD LE w/nav. sys.	Class Average
7	7	7	7	6.7

Ample leg, head room for most occupants. SE/LE seats soft, supportive, but some testers dislike seatback shape. Available adjustable pedals allow for good driving position. Driver visibility aft, over the shoulder impeded by thick roof pillars, rear windshield wiper, and rear stop-lamp. Step-in is true-SUV lofty. Well-placed grab handles assist entry/exit, but available running boards mostly get in the way.

Room/Comfort (rear)

2WD SE	4WD SE	4WD SE Off-Road	4WD LE w/nav. sys.	Class Average
6	6	6	6	6.2

Good 2nd-row head room, even beneath sunroof housing, but tight leg room for tall riders with front seat more than halfway back. Third-row seats sized for kids, tricky to access even with tumble-forward 2nd-row seats.

Cargo Room

2WD SE	4WD SE	4WD SE Off-Road	4WD LE w/nav. sys.	Class Average
9	9	9	9	8.3

All rear seats fold to form a level load deck without removing headrests. Fold-flat front-passenger seatback available for long cargo. Available DVD entertainment system eats into front console space. Cabin storage otherwise ample, includes clever in-floor compartment under 2nd-row seats.

Value within Class

2WD SE	4WD SE	4WD SE Off-Road	4WD LE w/nav. sys.	Class Average
6	6	5	5	5.7

For everyday driving ease and fuel economy, this truck-type SUV trails such car-type rivals as the Honda Pilot and Nissan's own Murano. Only the top-line LE offers the convenience of 4-wheel drive that can be left engaged on dry pavement. However, Pathfinder does possess a solid array of true-SUV attributes, including real off-road prowess and 6000-lb trailering capacity.

Total Score

2WD SE	4WD SE	4WD SE Off-Road	4WD LE w/nav. sys.	Class Average
59	57	56	55	56.7

Scores for all Midsize Sport-utility Vehicles

Low Score		43
Average Score		56
High Score		66