- Doors and Seats
5 doors, 7 seats
- Engine
3.5i, 6 cyl.
- Engine Power
202kW, 340Nm
- Fuel
Petrol (91) 10.1L/100KM
- Manufacturer
4WD
- Transmission
Auto (CVT)
- Warranty
3 Yr, 100000 KMs
- Ancap Safety
NA
2018 Nissan Pathfinder Ti quick spin review
What is it?
It’s the flagship version of Nissan’s recently-updated seven-seat SUV that’s powered by a new V6 engine and features minor styling revisions as well as new safety systems.
How much does it cost and what do you get?
The Pathfinder Ti can be had with a choice of three powertrains; front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive with the new 3.5-litre V6 and a range-topping Hybrid with a 2.5-litre supercharged four-cylinder hooked-up to an electric motor.
We’re testing the regular AWD version, which costs from $66,190 (plus on-road costs) and commands a $4000 premium over the 2WD version but is $3000 cheaper than the Hybrid.
No matter which engine option you choose, the Pathfinder Ti comes generously equipped, riding on 20-inch alloy wheels and has LED headlamps, fake leather trim throughout the cabin, tri-zone air conditioning, twin sunroofs, a 13-speaker Bose audio system, heated and cooled front seats, an in-built entertainment system for rear-seat passengers and a motion-activated powered tailgate.
All Nissan models are covered by a three-year/100,000km warranty and have a capped-price servicing scheme with scheduled visits every 12 months or 10,000km. The Pathfinder Ti will cost $991 to maintain during the first three years of ownership, or 30,000km.
What's under the bonnet?
One of the key elements to the updated Pathfinder is its heavily revised 3.5-litre naturally-aspirated V6, which Nissan claims has 50 percent new parts compared to its predecessor, including the addition of direct fuel injection that required new pistons, redesigned combustion chamber design, a new intake manifold and higher compression ratio.
The end result is an increase in power and torque and a reduction in fuel consumption. The engine now produces 202kW and 340Nm – up from 190kW and 325Nm – while delivering a claimed average consumption of 10.1L/100km, a marginal 0.2L/100km improvement.
The engine drives all four wheels through a modified continuously variable transmission that features seven programmed ratios for a more natural feel under heavy acceleration.
It also has a multi-mode drive controller that allows the driver to switch between 2WD, Auto and Lock settings, the latter maintaining a 50:50 torque split across the front and rear axles at speeds below 40km/h to optimise its off-road capabilities.
What's it like to drive?
It’s a big, humble family hauler that doesn’t do much wrong.
While it isn’t the most exciting machine to drive, the engine is strong and revs cleanly with good mid-range pulling power. It’s helped by the CVT automatic that is one of the best of its kind and, with the stepped ratios, it doesn’t display the vices of others by flaring the engine speeds under acceleration.
However, it’s still on the thirsty side of the ledger and matching its claimed average fuel consumption is impossible if you stay within the stop-start confines of the suburbs.
The steering is well weighted and it’s easy to navigate around town, although it is a big car and the turning circle is quite large, so tight spaces need a bit more wheel work.
The suspension is biased more towards comfort than cornering, and in that regard it soaks up bumps respectively and cruises quietly at highway speeds.
What's it like inside?
Everyone will like the top-spec Pathfinder as the cabin is not only spacious but it’s filled with enough toys to keep the entire family engaged.
From the driver’s seat, there’s good vision, plenty of adjustment, clear instruments and heaps of headroom. The front pews are also comfortable and, having heated and cooled ventilation, makes it an easy place to sit on long journeys.
The dash isn’t the most modern in its class, and the multimedia system is fiddly, not all that intuitive to navigate and it misses out on smartphone mirroring like Apple CarPlay. But the materials are good quality and there’s a decent amount of small item storage spaces, including a generous centre console and large door bins.
Those in the middle row are treated to plenty of space, have rear air vents and their own entertainment system with HDMI and AUX inputs and a 12V power outlet, while the third row is reasonably easy to access and capable of accommodating a couple of young teens at least.
However, like most seven-seaters, boot space is limited when all three rows are in use.
Is it safe?
All Pathfinder models have six airbags with side curtains that extend to the third-row occupants, as well as featuring stability control, a reverse camera and a tyre-pressure monitor.
However, the base-level ST misses out on the active driver aids that are standard on the ST-L and Ti model grades, which add autonomous emergency braking, active cruise control, blind spot monitor and rear cross traffic alert, as well as a 360-degree camera system.
Would I buy it?
The Pathfinder has been around for a few years now, and while the recent updates have made it better they haven’t elevated it to match the best seven-seaters on the road.
That’s not to say it should be discounted altogether, as it is comfortable, spacious and drives nicely and, the Ti in particular, comes loaded with plenty of gear.
What else should I consider?
The Pathfinder is among a growing breed of seven-seat SUVs that are becoming more car-like and, subsequently, more popular than ever before for growing families.
The Mazda CX-9 is our pick of the bunch as the reigning two-time winner of Drive’s best Family SUV. It’s stylish, drives well, has a flexible and reasonably economical turbocharged four-cylinder engine, and is spacious and well equipped for the family.
The Kia Sorento is also right up there too, and comes with a more frugal yet grunty diesel engine option, while the Toyota Kluger is a great family favourite.
A new-generation Hyundai Santa Fe is due to lob in showrooms by the middle of the year and, judging from our first impressions driving it in Korea ahead of its arrival, it could be a contender too.
2018 Nissan Pathfinder Ti Sport Price and Specifications
Price: $66,190 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 3.5-litre V6 petrol
Power: 202kW at 6400rpm
Torque: 340Nm at 4800rpm
Transmission: CVT automatic, all-wheel drive
Fuel use: 10.1L/100km