The 2013 Nissan Pathfinder is powered by a 3.5L engine making 260hp. Though the new engine is smaller than the one it replaces, it makes nearly the same horsepower and gets significantly better fuel economy. The 2013 Pathfinder is rated at 26 mpg on the highway and 20 mpg in the city for 2-wheel-drive models, while 4-wheel-drive vehicles are rated only 1-mpg worse in both environments. Part of this economy is attributable to Nissan's standard continuously variable (CVT) transmission which, unlike traditional units has an infinite number of gear ratios and is consequently always able find the best compromise between economy and power.
With a third row for seating and passenger capacity up to seven, Nissan boasts that the new Pathfinder has best in class front headroom, front foot room and overall interior passenger volume. While the new Pathfinder has an additional 8.4 cubic feet of interior room over the outgoing model, it also makes better use of its interior space, with a flat load floor and second row seats that slides a full five and a half inches to make 3rd row access much easier. The third row even has a reclining feature, which is uncommon for vehicles of this size.
The 2013 Pathfinder comes in six different trims allowing for lots of flexibility in pricing and features. Base 'S' models come with lots of nice features including attractive 18-inch wheels, tri-zone automatic climate control, a 6-speaker stereo with auxiliary input, keyless entry and a dashboard mounted monitor. 'SV' Pathfinder models add roof rails, automatic headlights, Bluetooth connectivity, a rear view monitor and Nissan's Intelligent Key system. The SL Pathfinder begins to add some serious luxury, featuring leather seating, a remote engine start and a power rear liftgate. It also features additional exterior amenities like fog lamps, heated mirrors and chrome side moldings. 'SL' Premium Pathfinders are equipped with a dual panorama moonroof, a tow hitch and a Bose sound system. The Platinum Pathfinder is the next step up and features 20-inch wheels, a navigation system and climate controlled front seats. The top of the line model is dubbed Platinum Premium and includes pretty much every feature listed above plus a tri-zone entertainment system.
Safety is addressed in the new Pathfinder with dual stage front airbags, side impact airbags, side curtain airbags and a rollover sensor. Preventative safety systems include anti-lock brakes, stability control, traction control and a tire pressure monitoring system.' SV' level and better Pathfinders also include a rear view monitor to make backing out of parking spaces easier and safer.
The Pathfinder is all new for 2013, featuring an attractive and modern redesign, seating for seven and a CVT gearbox. 2013's sheetmetal is all new and the aerodynamic shape helps the Pathfinder achieve good mileage numbers for such a large vehicle. With a bigger interior than last year's model, the new Pathfinder becomes less like a truck and more like a comfortable crossover.
The Pathfinder remains a very good value for the money. Between its seating capacity and fuel economy the Pathfinder makes a good argument for its value. However Nissan have even managed to bring the price down from last year. While previous Pathfinders competed with truck like SUVs like the Toyota 4Runner, the 2013 Pathfinder aims instead to compete more closely with crossover vehicles such as the Toyota Highlander, bringing more space and refinement to the market at a slight cost to seldom used off-road capabilities.
