Nissan Pathfinder ST-L 2005 review

It's a mid-sized 4WD with a reputation for smooth road manners and a surprising amount of off road ability.

However, with the release of the new "Pathy" and the addition of the stylish Murano to the lineup, Nissan has clearly reached a fork in the road, with two very distinct models – one for the road and the other for the bush.

Although marketed as a multi-purpose, family wagon, the new Pathfinder is in fact a traditional 4WD in every sense of the word, in the vein of the popular Pajero and Prado.

Built on a proper ladder frame chassis as favoured by off road enthusiasts, it has robust, heavy duty suspension, that delivers a ride that is bumpy and unforgiving in an urban environment, with plenty of lurch and lean in corners.

The original 3.3-litre V6 has been replaced with a much larger, more powerful 4.0-litre V6 or, for the first time, the option of a diesel engine in the form a 2.5-litre four cylinder turbocharged unit.

The DOHC V6 generates 198kW of eye- popping power at 5600rpm and 385Nm of torque at 4000rpm.

In comparison, the common-rail turbocharged and intercooled diesel is good for 128kW at 4000rpm and healthy 403Nm of torque from a low 2000rpm.

We're have always been strong advocates of diesel 4WDs because the diesel engine produces better economy and is better suited to the rigors of off road work.

The diesel in the Pathfinder, subject of our test, can be mated to either a six-speed manual or five-speed sequential automatic.

Our mid range ST-L test model, priced from $48,990, was fitted with the auto.

Nissan says the adoption of a second generation common rail diesel with an electronically controlled high pressure fuel injection pump provides more power, low emissions and low levels of NVH.

In reality, we found the engine in our test car to be quite noisy with lots of the rattle that is normally associated with diesels.

It also exhibited quite a lot of throttle surge, when speeding up and slowing down.

Fuel economy figures for the engine are not stated, but the trip computer reported an average of 11.7 litres per 100km from the 80-litre thank, giving the vehicle a range of about 680km.

That's okay but nothing special considering the smallish capacity of the the engine.

Standard equipment incluces two airbags, airconditioning, ABS brakes, remote central locking, electric mirrors and windows, cruise control and CD/Tuner.

The ST-L adds taller 17-inch alloys, Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system, luxury cloth trim, leather steering wheel and gear shift, dual zone automatic airconditioning, roof rails, side steps, fog lamps and a 6-stacker CD/Tuner with steering wheel mounted audio controls.

We gave the Pathfinder a good working over including some hard off roading.

Fit and finish in the seven-seat Spanish built wagon is good inside and out.

A third row of seats has been added, but we found the seats small and particularly firm and they can become uncomfortable on long trips.

Second row passengers will find leg room tight and the two third row seats are strictly for small children.

The third row packs flat into the floor when not in use and all seats lie flat for carrying loads, including the front passenger seat for extra long items.

Off road Pathfinder has plenty of ground clearance at 211mm, but the hard plastic rear mudflaps do not compress when grounded, which can lead to rear bumper damage.

While first gear in low range generates a touch too much ground speed for difficult descents.

In keeping with its off road role, the vehicle is equipped with a full size spare which is mounted under the back.