There I was doing a stint of push-mower Pilates (grass cutting) in the back yard when it struck me how clever the people at Nissan had been coming up with a cut-price large wagon at this time.
With large SUV prices pushing through six figures the new ST-L Pathfinder has lopped more than $12,000 off the previous entry-level model – this trip down the road less travelled all the more prescient at a time when tariff tyrant Donald Trump is upping the ante on the cost of motoring around the world.
In close to 40 years Down Under, the Pathfinder has never gone away but has taken a back seat to the smaller X-Trail and bigger Patrol. Now, with room for eight occupants, the ST-L has squeezed in between the pair available in two- or four-wheel drive. It is joined by another returnee, the Ti 2WD.
Although creating a new entry-level, ST-L is far from wanting, with seating for up to eight in three rows, generous equipment and safety systems, plus powerful and efficient V6 petrol engine.
And so, back to pricing. The two ST-L models kick off at $59,670 for the two-wheel drive version and rise to $64,170 for the 4WD. The Ti then comes in at $67,990 for the 2WD, the range topping Ti-L tips the scales at $82,490. All prices are before government and dealer delivery charges are added.
All are covered by Nissan’s five-year unlimited kilometre warranty and roadside assist for the same period.
STYLING
At a tad more than five metres in length, just under two metres wide and 1.8 metres high, the Pathfinder has every right to flex its muscle, but it doesn’t, While the latest generation Pathfinder boasts a bold, truck-like grille with a squared-off profile like the original model, there’s nothing old school about it.
Take 18-inch alloy wheels, dusk-sensing LED headlights with High Beam Assist and daytime running lights, LED front fog lights, a powered tailgate and roof rails for the latest thinking.
INTERIOR
Heated front seats and tri-zone air-conditioning ensure comfort in every seat of which there is an eight-way power driver’s seat and six-way manual passenger’s position.
The electric park brake works well, and an intelligent key has an inbuilt vehicle alarm system.
Getting into the third row is made easy with wide-opening rear doors and a system that allows a single button to fold the outboard seat and slide forward in a single movement.
Once in, leg room is limited without sliding the middle row forward, encroaching on leg room there.
With room out back for only a temporary spare, cargo space is limited to 205 litres when all three row seatbacks are in place, 554 litres when the third row is folded, and up to 782 litres with the second and third rows folded.
INFOTAINMENT
The Pathfinder ST-L is equipped with a 7-inch TFT Advanced Drive-Assist Display, 10.8-inch head-up display and 9-inch touchscreen with navigation, inbuilt Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay, together with four USB ports.
The sound is limited to a six-speaker audio, a Bose eight-speaker jobby is reserved for Ti toffs. A crisp rear-view camera and parking assistants are exemplary, as is intelligent cruise control.
ENGINES/TRANSMISSIONS
Like the rest of the Pathfinder range, the ST-L is equipped with Nissan’s powerful direct-injection 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine, putting out 202kW at 6400rpm and 340Nm at 4800rpm, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission.
SAFETY
The Pathfinder gained a five-star ANCAP rating on 2022 testing. With nine airbags, including new far-side position, plus extensive safety upgrades from Nissan Intelligent Mobility Safety Suite there’s little to reason this will have changed.
The latter includes predictive forward collision warning with junction assist and emergency braking, including for pedestrians and cyclists, driver attention alert, blind spot warning and intervention, lane departure warning plus prevention.
Also on offer are lane departure warning and prevention, rear cross traffic alert and back-up collision intervention, intelligent cruise control with speed limiter, traffic sign recognition with overspeed prevention and rear seat alert.
DRIVING
With almost two tonnes to cart around, the 3.5 litre V6 engine and nine speed automatic transmission have their work cut out and the Pathfinder is no twinkle toes. Steady as she goes. Nissan puts the combined urban/highway fuel consumption at 14.7 litres per 100 kilometres. The test vehicle topped 16 litres per 100 kilometres at one stage.
All Pathfinder grades can tow up to 750kg unbraked, or up to 2700kg braked, the latter more than some key rivals, with most large SUVs capped at 2500kg. With a close to 12 metre turning circle, parking can take some care.
Driving capability in almost all conditions is assured with ground clearance of 317mm, Drive and Terrain Mode Selector shifting between Standard, Sport, Eco, Snow and Tow modes in 2WD models, while 4WD models add Mud and Sand modes.
SUMMARY
Born almost a half century ago as a small SUV, the well-equipped Nissan Pathfinder has continued to grow to fit in between siblings, the neat Nissan X-Trail and big brother Patrol. The bargain-basement ST-L only adds to the appeal.
RATINGS
Looks – 8
Performance – 4
Safety – 6
Thirst – 7
Practicality – 7
Comfort – 5
Tech – 7
Value – 8
