Nissan Pathfinder 2017 Review

We love:

• Quiet inside
• Great for touring
• V6 engine

Pain points:

• Replacing the tyres
• No phone mirroring

Nissan Pathfinder 2017 review

This seven seater SUV is refined and quiet, it's not a true off-roader but it is suitable for touring on-road. It hasn't been hugely popular in Australia, so let's see what Nissan is doing to capture the attention of large SUV buyers with the 2017 model.

The exterior of the Nissan Pathfinder 2017

The front of the Nissan Pathfinder has been updated in 2017 to give a more confident, distinctive look. Chrome around the new black front grille and low placed fog lights create some much-needed shape.

It's available in the CVT or can be optioned with a 4WD system, or 2WD or 4WD hybrid drivetrain. The hybrid has a 2.5 litre four-cylinder engine paired with a 15 kilowatt electric motor to produce 188 kilowatts and 330 Newton metres of torque. Emissions are lower than the V6 options at 200 grams per kilometre.

Nissan Pathfinder can take you anywhere - image courtesy of Car Advice.

Both engines have a timing chain rather than a timing belt, reducing ownership costs in the future, and fuel tank capacity of 73 litres.

The top spec Nissan Pathfinder Ti has an automatic tailgate, which paired with the standard keyless entry, allows for easier loading of the boot when your hands are full.

With ground clearance of just 181 millimetres, you won't be doing too much off-road driving.

Inside the Nissan Pathfinder 2017

The driver's seat is eight-way power adjustable with manual lumbar support, and first two rows of seats are large and comfortable.

There's a DVD screen in the rear seats for kids to stay occupied on long road trips, with wireless headsets pairing to the two colour screens. A large two-piece sunroof fills the cabin with natural light, and there are air vents for all three rows.

Seat configurations to match your needs - image courtesy of Car Advice.

The rear seats are accessible using one hand to slide the second row of seats forward, with proper seat memory returning the seat to its original position. The third row of seats is a tighter fit, as you'd expect, and can be folded flat to the floor. The temperature in the second row can be controlled separately, ensuring the comfort of passengers.

You can access the space-saver spare located below the boot floor without needing to empty the boot, which holds 453 litres of luggage.

Connectivity

The 8.0-inch touchscreen is paired with a six-speaker sound system in the base model, with bluetooth pairing, radio, and a CD player. There's also USB and AUX connectivity, and the unit is controlled by voice recognition, but no DAB+ radio or smartphone mirroring.

The infotainment system does come with Nissan Connect, which comes with Facebook, Pandora and Google search. It's free to use for the first three years.

Connectivity and dash - image courtesy of Car Advice.

There's the option to upgrade to a 13-speaker Bose sound system in the Nissan Pathfinder ST-L or Ti models.

What's it like to drive a Nissan Pathfinder 2017?

The stiffer suspension gives the Nissan Pathfinder sure handling through sweeping corners and twisting back roads, especially for an SUV this size. It's around 2 tonnes, so you have to drive it with some care even with the improved steering response on the 2017 model.

The new gearbox X-tronic stepped CVT means that instead of moving straight to the top of the rev band, gears are stepped gradually.

Better safety equipment includes rear parking sensors, a reversing camera, cruise control and six airbags. The higher spec models also have forward collision warning and AEB, as well as rear cross-traffic alert. The warranty also includes three years of 24-hour roadside assistance.

Who's the Nissan Pathfinder 2017 for?

The Nissan Pathfinder is a large SUV with families in mind, perfect for any family driving long distances with young children. Towing up to 2,700 kilograms braked, and with exceptional luggage capacity, especially once the third row of seats is folded, it makes a great car for long hauls when you need to take stuff with you.

It's not designed for extensive off-road driving, but the lockable central-diff helps with unsealed roads and makes this an ideal car for family road trips and general touring.

Feature Summary

Price: from $41,990 - $69,190

Engine: 3.5L naturally aspirated petrol V6 (202kW/340Nm)

Transmission: Continuous variable automatic, front-wheel drive or AWD

Wheels: 18-inch or 20-inch alloy

Safety: 5 star ANCAP

Fuel: 10.1L/100km

Emissions: 234g/km

AV and tech: 8.0-inch touchscreen, six-speaker sound system.

Seats: 7

Doors: 4

You can finance a Nissan Pathfinder 2017 from $200/week*, get a quick quote to find out exactly what it will cost to own this made-for-touring large SUV.

No time to shop around for your car? Just tell us exactly what you want, including the features and colour. We will find the vehicle to match and negotiate the best price for you.

*Over a 5-year loan term.