2016 Nissan Pathfinder near Trenton

 

The Nissan Pathfinder originally started as a truck-based SUV more at home on rough-and-tumble mountain trails than the asphalt-covered roads of urban living. Fast-forward to 2013, where Nissan civilized the vehicle to its present form as a three-row, seven-seat, mid-size crossover.

The 2016 Nissan Pathfinder rolls out at dealership in S, SV, SL and Platinum trim levels. Updates for the 2016 model year are limited to an available Cold package on the SV and a standard heating wheel on the SL.

Safety is a prime concern for a people mover like the Pathfinder. Thus four-wheel antilock disc brakes, stability control, traction control, hill start assist and six airbags all come standard. More advance safety and security equipment like rear parking sensors and a rearview camera are available starting on the SV. The Pathfinder received five out of five stars in overall safety from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety also gave the crossover high marks in such crash tests as small-overlap frontal-offset, moderate-overlap frontal-offset, and roof-strength.

All Pathfinder models are motivated by a 3.5-liter V-6 which is paired to a continuously variable transmission. Horsepower and torque are 260 and 240, respectively. Fuel economy of front-wheel drive models is 20 miles per gallon in city driving, 27 mpg on the highway and 23 mpg in mixed driving.* Those equipped with all-wheel drive see a slight dip to 19 mpg city, 26 mpg highway and 22 mpg combined. Pathfinders, when properly configured, have a tow capacity up to 5,000 pounds.

Each trim level is competitively equipped. The base 2016 Pathfinder S aims to please with standard push-button stop/start, a six-speaker audio setup and a tri-zone climate control system just to name a few. Other popular features like Bluetooth connectivity, a power-adjustable driver's seat, a power liftgate and a navigation system become available as one climbs the trim tier. These include such option bundles as the SL Tech package, which comes with Nissan's famed 360-degree, bird's-eye view camera system; the above mentioned Cold Weather package; and the Family Entertainment package. This last bit, which is available on the Pathfinder Platinum, adds a DVD entertainment system with dual monitors for rear row passengers especially the younger set.

 

*All vehicle mileage based on 2016 EPA mileage estimates. Use for comparison purposes only. Do not compare to models before 2008. Your actual mileage will vary, depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle.