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Nissan Pathfinder 2020 review: N-Trek

The Pathfinder N-Trek special edition toughens up the look of a family favourite.
EXPERT RATING
7.3
The Pathfinder N-Trek is a special edition version of a family favourite, but what makes it so special?

Do you like Nissan's Pathfinder yet find it lacking a certain something? Masculinity perhaps, musculature, or just a sense of menace, rather than middle-of-the-road nice-ness?  If you've always hankered after a seven-seat family hauler with a mean streak, or at least a mean look, then you’re going to love the Pathfinder N-Trek special edition.

So, what makes this Pathfinder an N-Trek and how much does it cost to look this tough?

We tested the new Pathfinder N-Trek to find out.

Nissan Pathfinder 2020: ST+ (4WD)
Safety rating
Engine Type3.5L
Fuel TypePremium Unleaded Petrol
Fuel Efficiency10.1L/100km
Seating7 seats
Price from$38,940

Does it represent good value for the price? What features does it come with?   7/10

Available on the ST + and ST-L grades, the N-Trek editions come with a $1500 price increase over the grades they’re based on.

The front-wheel-drive Pathfinder ST+ N-Trek lists for $46,840, while the front-wheel-drive ST-L N-Trek is $57,140. As for the four-wheel-drive versions: the ST+ N-Trek is $50,340 and the ST-L N-Trek is $60,640.

The N-Trek edition brings a body kit with black elements for a stealthy look. There’s the black grille, black roof rails, black door handles, black mirror caps, plus front and rear lower bumper trim in… you guessed it – black.

The N-Trek edition brings a body kit with black elements for a stealthy look. The N-Trek edition brings a body kit with black elements for a stealthy look.

Standard features on the ST+ N-Trek include an eight-inch touchscreen, sat nav, a reversing camera with all-round-view monitor, a six-speaker stereo, DVD player, privacy glass, rear parking sensors and three-zone climate control.

Stepping up to the ST-L N-Trek adds a 13-speaker Bose stereo, LED headlights, sunroof, leather seats, front fog lights, heated side mirrors and power adjustable driver and front passenger seats.

Is the special edition worth the extra $1500 over the regular model? That depends how you look at the extra costs – some would see it as just different coloured paint but others would see it as paying for uniqueness, and there won’t be many Pathfinders that look like yours. Yes, you could have similar enhancements done yourself, but it’ll cost you more, if done properly. Nissan has done it for you with genuine accessories.

A better question to ask is: does the Pathfinder’s price in general represents good value? Well the current Pathfinder is getting old now and it’s not loaded with the latest equipment, such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, such as you’ll find in the Holden Acadia or Mazda CX-9. In those terms it’s not great value any more, but Nissan will fix this when the new-generation Pathfinder arrives next year.

Is there anything interesting about its design?   8/10

The N-Trek pack adds a menacing look to the Pathfinder, making it look more mafia family than just family. As mentioned above, the N-Trek edition adds the black grille, black roof rails, black door handles, black mirror caps, plus front and rear lower bumper trim in black. I’m a fan of the sinister look the accessories bring and it suits the Gun Metallic grey paint my test car wore (see the photos I took) perfectly. The Pathfinder N-Trek special edition comes in four colours, so along with the grey there’s Ivory Pearl, Diamond Black and Caspian Blue.

What do you think of those wheels? They’re unique to the Pathfinder N-Trek, too, but I’m not the biggest fan of the design.

The cabin doesn’t get anything in the way of N-Trek equipment – it’s the same cabin as you’ll find in the ST+ and ST-L, which is beginning to age in terms of its design and equipment, with the small screen being the most obvious example. Still, it’s a comfortable and premium-feeling cabin, especially in the ST-L with its leather seats.

Measuring 5042mm end to end, 1963mm wide and 1793mm tall, the Pathfinder isn't petite. 

How practical is the space inside?   8/10

The Pathfinder is a seven-seater SUV and practicality is its main strength.

Space up front is excellent, with good head, shoulder and elbow room, even for somebody with my two-metre wingspan and 191cm height. I can sit behind my driving position and behind that in the third row without my knees touching any of the seat backs.

Space up front is excellent. Space up front is excellent.

Directional air vents in all three rows, plus large windows make life more comfortable for everybody. So does the raised second row, which offers a view over the top of the driver and co-pilot.

Large windows make life more comfortable for everybody. Large windows make life more comfortable for everybody.

The floor does seem overly elevated in the Pathfinder, which places the knees of second and third-row passengers higher. For a model comparison see the Pathfinder ST+ vs Holden Acadia LT video.

Featuring directional air vents in all three rows. Featuring directional air vents in all three rows.

Boot space with the third-row seats up is 453 litres, opening up to 1354 litres with them folded flat and the second row in place. You’ll find extra storage space under the boot floor.

You’ll find extra storage space under the boot floor. You’ll find extra storage space under the boot floor.

Cabin storage is excellent with 10 cupholders (yes, 10) on board (two up front, four in the second row and another four in the back row); large door pockets, a tray in front of the shifter and a deep centre-console storage bin.

For charging and media there are three 12-volt and two USB outlets up front and two USB charging points and a media USB port in the second row.

Room for improvement? Well, the Pathfinder could do with wireless charging and it’s also lacking USB ports in the third row.

What are the key stats for the engine and transmission?   6/10

The N-Trek special edition comes with the same 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine found in the regular Pathfinder, with the same 202kW and 340Nm outputs. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) is smooth, although it produces lacklustre acceleration, accompanied by a droning sound that you might find annoying.

What's it like to drive?   7/10

The Pathfinder N-Trek was tested on about 130km of winding country roads, which at times turned from bitumen into loose gravel. My test car was the ST+ grade with four-wheel drive, although there should be no difference in the way it drives over the ST-L version.

I’ve said it before in reviews of the Pathfinder – this is an easy and comfortable large SUV to drive, with light steering, good visibility and plenty of grunt.

That said, the Pathfinder felt a bit challenged when pushed on the twisty, tight roads, with plenty of body roll to remind me that it was a two-tonne, five-metre-long metal box. If anything, it’s a compliment to how insulated from the world you are in the cabin.

The loose gravel roads we took also seemed to unsettle the Pathfinder at times. I pulled over, selected four-wheel drive and watched the display screen show drive split 50-50 between the front and back axles. The problem was that our as speed was increased the system switched to Auto, which decides on the fly how to distribute the drive, but tends to choose a heavy bias towards the front.

The Pathfinder’s 180mm ground clearance rules out anything more challenging than dirt and gravel roads, but a 2700kg braked towing capacity makes this SUV a great choice for hauling trailers and caravans – although you should know it likes to drink petrol.

How much fuel does it consume?   6/10

The Pathfinder N-Trek ST+ and ST-L both have a 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine and Nissan says after a combination of open and urban roads the four-wheel-drive version should use 10.1L/100km, while the front-wheel-drive only uses a coffee mug less at 9.9L/100km. In my own testing of the four-wheel-drive Pathfinder I’ve measured the combined consumption to be 14.9L/100km.

Warranty & Safety Rating

Basic Warranty

5 years / unlimited km warranty

ANCAP Safety Rating

ANCAP logo

What safety equipment is fitted? What safety rating?   8/10

The Pathfinder was given the maximum five-star ANCAP rating when it was tested in 2013. Coming standard is advanced safety technology such as AEB, blind-spot warning, rear cross traffic alert and adaptive cruise control.

There are rear parking sensors, but not front ones, which is odd.

The Pathfinder was given the maximum five-star ANCAP rating when it was tested in 2013. The Pathfinder was given the maximum five-star ANCAP rating when it was tested in 2013.

The rear-view camera is good, and these grades come with a 360-degree moving-object-detection system – which is great for when kids are running around the car.

For child seats you’ll find two ISOFIX mounts and three top-tether points in the second row, and a third top-tether point in the right-hand-side seat in the third row.

A space-saver spare wheel is under the car.

What does it cost to own? What warranty is offered?   8/10

The Pathfinder ST+ is covered by Nissan’s five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty.

Servicing is recommended every 10,000km or 12 months. As a guide you can expect to pay $290 for the first service, $309 for the next, $458 for the third, $367 for the fourth, $314 for the fifth and $502 for the sixth.

Verdict

The Pathfinder is a comfortable, practical seven-seat SUV and the N-Trek special edition adds a tough and stylish look. Research has shown that special editions generally don’t fetch more money when it comes time to sell, so keep this in mind and enjoy the unique look of the N-Trek rather than thinking you’ve bought a collector’s car.

Pricing guides

$32,999
Based on 19 cars listed for sale in the last 6 months
Lowest Price
$28,990
Highest Price
$42,999

Range and Specs

VehicleSpecsPrice*
ST Hybrid (2WD) 2.5L, Hyb/PULP, CVT AUTO $31,570 – 38,060 2020 Nissan Pathfinder 2020 ST Hybrid (2WD) Pricing and Specs
ST (2WD) 3.5L, PULP, CVT AUTO $34,870 – 41,470 2020 Nissan Pathfinder 2020 ST (2WD) Pricing and Specs
ST+ (2WD) 3.5L, PULP, CVT AUTO $35,640 – 42,460 2020 Nissan Pathfinder 2020 ST+ (2WD) Pricing and Specs
ST (4WD) 3.5L, PULP, CVT AUTO $38,060 – 44,770 2020 Nissan Pathfinder 2020 ST (4WD) Pricing and Specs
EXPERT RATING
7.3
Price and features7
Design8
Practicality8
Under the bonnet6
Driving7
Efficiency6
Safety8
Ownership8
Richard Berry
Senior Journalist

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