Nissan Pathfinder revised in a new format for sport-utility
Bob Plunkett
Date Posted: 5/10/2005
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On an expanse of dirt overlooking the King Dome in Seattle, I took Nissan's off-road challenge.
Strapping torso firmly behind the wheel of a new Pathfinder -- Nissan's 4-wheel-drive sport-utility vehicle in a dramatically revised generational edition -- I maneuvered the wagon over a rugged quarter-mile course consisting of boulders, mud, sand, gravel and rain water standing as so many barriers to my forward progress.
Professionals had defined this ragged route and managed driving tests sponsored by the automaker to let Nissan's dealers evaluate the new wagon's off-road prowess in the convenience of an urban setting.
How did new Pathfinder handle all of those rocks and bumps and sticky pits of oozy goo?
It plowed past all barriers, topped the pile of boulders and surged across a finish line in scant time -- but with streamlined new body panels slapped in mud.
So it goes on an outback route, even one constructed on an urban parking lot.
What I learned from this test, and a number of others conducted during a rainy Seattle morning, was that Pathfinder in new format presents a can-do attitude when challenged by daunting off-road barriers.
Even so, it delivers a smooth and comfortable ride quality for those enveloped within a cushy passenger compartment, and in more mundane venues like city streets and freeway fast lanes can maneuver like an agile sedan.
Credit Nissan as the initial Japanese automaker to recognize the importance of designing products tailored to the American market's unique taste. Pathfinder's original model, a savvy 3-door sport-utility vehicle built atop the chassis of Nissan's pickup truck, became one of the first concepts to flow from the company's North American design facility in La Jolla, Calif.
Despite sales success for Pathfinder, our market's preference in 4x4 wagons eventually gravitated toward 5-door versions where you may more easily pack kids aboard or carry an extra adult or two. To that end Nissan produced a 5-door Pathfinder which hid rear door handles amid trim of the roof pillar so it still looked like a sporty 3-door wagon.
Now, in a major overhaul of the 5-door wagon, Pathfinder emerges in sleek new sheetmetal with a track expanded by three inches and wheelbase stretched by two inches to make a larger package and stabilize the ride quality.
Pathfinder in 1996 edition also provides far more room for riders, more comfort and safety features, and a new engine which delivers more horsepower and usable torque.
Pathfinder's new exterior package, aided by computer modeling, looks bold and aggressive, but also windswept.
The front hood slopes upward to meet a canted windshield defined by new rear-raked A pillars. Contours on side panels form strong horizontal lines near the ground, while the forward-canted C pillar conceals rear door handles the way former Pathfinder did so it retains sporty hints of a 3-door wagon.
To create this new package, the former Pathfinder's rear wheels were moved back two inches in a wheelbase stretch as all wheels were pushed toward outward edges of the platform to forge that wider track.
Overall length of the wagon increased by 6.7 inches.
Elongating the wheelbase also shoves rear wheelwells out of the way of rear doors, so backseat riders will find it easier to climb aboard.
Designers switched to a monoframe uni-body for new Pathfinder to form a stiffer body that resists the typical 4-wheeler's tendency to bend torsionally. Not only does the monoframe reduce pesky rattles and squeaks, particularly when maneuvering in rough off-road terrain, but it sets up a far more stable platform to mount suspension components.
Its suspension consists of heavy-duty independent strut design up front and 5-link rigid rear axle, with stabilizer bars mounted fore and aft.
Anti-lock brakes hitched to all wheels rank as a new safety asset on all Pathfinder models, which apply big disc brakes in front with rear self-adjusting drums. All also tote a power-assisted rack and pinion steering system.
For action, Pathfinder's former engine was enlarged by ten percent by increasing bore. The 3.3-liter V6, rigged with single cam on top and sequential multi-point electronic fuel injection, now generates 168 hp at 4800 rpm.
This sole plant ties to either the standard 5-speed manual shifter or optional 4-speed electronic automatic.
For Seattle off-pavement tests, I used a Pathfinder automatic and was able to forget shifts to concentrate on all of those obstacles in my path. Later pavement trials revealed the manual stick easy -- even fun -- to operate.
An optional 4-wheel-drive system has a sophisticated transfer case which can switch from rear-drive to 4x4 traction while underway at speeds up to 50 mph. You must stop before shifting from 4-Hi to 4-Lo, which is designed for conquering off-pavement obstacles at slow speed.
Despite its compact bulk at a curb weight pared to 3,675 lbs. for rear 4x2 edition (or 3,920 lbs. with 4x4), Pathfinder leaps to action when asked.
That muscle became particularly apparent in sticky off-road conditions, such as the deep mud pit I pushed it through, or on pavement at higher speeds, like my maneuvers zipping through congested lanes of freeway traffic on the pontoon bridge spanning Lake Washington in Seattle.
But Pathfinder will also impress with its new interior arrangement, which fits like a glove.
The interior design, originating at Nissan's California studio, applies twin form-fitting front bucket seats and a rear bench for three with seatback split in 60-40 ratio to expand the rear cargo area.
A long list of standard appointments includes analog instruments, three concealed storage bins, a pair of DC-power electrical outlets, four cupholders and an impressive 160-watt audio system with six speakers and CD deck.
Safety elements range from dual airbags to structural crumple zones and body reinforcements, an energy-absorbing steering column and child-proof rear door locks.
Pathfinder appears in three trim levels, beginning with a high-value XE 4x2 or 4x4. The ultimate LE luxury model also brings a 4x4 variation, while a sport-trimmed SE with optional off-road package retains 4x4 equipment exclusively.
1996 NISSAN PATHFINDER
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| 1996 NISSAN PATHFINDER VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS |
| Description: |
5-door compact SUV wagon |
| Model Options: |
5-door compact SUV wagon |
| Wheelbase: |
106.3 inches |
| Overall Length: |
178.3 inches
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| Engine Size: |
SOHC 3.3-L V6
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| Transmission: |
Manual/5, Auto/4 |
| Drive: |
XE/LE: Rear 4x2
XE/SE/LE: AWD 4x4 |
| Braking: |
Power disc/drum/ABS |
| Airbags: |
2 |
| Gas Mileage: |
4x2: 17/20 mpg
4x4: 16/18 mpg |
| MSRP Price: |
$ 22,000 to $ 33,000 |
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