With today’s market flooded with SUVs, it’s no surprise that SUVs are some of the most popular vehicles and it’s the segment with some of the most competition. It has become so popular that even supercar makers such as Lamborghini, and ultra premium brands like Bentley have launched SUV models. This trend, however, began way back in the 80s and one of the most important pioneers of this new trend was the Nissan Pathfinder – first launched in 1985. This is a vehicle that comes with a lot of heritage and history, and the 2018 Nissan Pathfinder builds upon this and also adds enough modern day technology and features to make it a worthy contender among mid-sized SUVs, even in today’s crowded market.
INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR
The new 2018 Nissan Pathfinder carries over a few design elements from the Pathfinders of the 80s, evoking a sense of nostalgia. This also means that the Pathfinder has plenty of road presence and doesn’t show any weakness. The 2018 Pathfinder takes a design approach where overall, the exterior comes together with a beefy front end and a sharper profile, where every part of the exterior is perfectly complemented by the others and nothing seems out of place.
A similar design theme is found inside the 2018 Pathfinder as well. While there aren’t really any particular features that will grab your attention, instead the interior offers an understated elegance that’s both a pleasing design and functional. Most of the effort has gone into making everything comfortable rather than attention grabbing. After the initial novelty of a new car wears off, you will be thanking the simplicity of the comfortable interior over long drives as the plush seats and adequate leg room mean that the journey becomes all about having fun rather than trying to conceal pain and discomfort.
The interior of the 2018 Pathfinder is both versatile and spacious. There’s plenty of room for 7 adults across all three rows as well as room for cargo in the rear. The EX Flex system provides a ton of versatility allowing the second row to slide, fold and latch into various positions providing ideal layouts for many different passenger and cargo combinations.
The 2018 Nissan Pathfinder offers five different trim levels: S, SV, SL, Midnight Edition and Platinum. If you’re just looking for a dependable daily driver or even a workhorse, the 2017 Pathfinder S or SV models make a lot of sense as they are more bare bones and priced accordingly. They’re affordable and actually come with more features and equipment than what most of the competition offer on their higher-end models.
While the 2018 Nissan Pathfinder is one of the more affordable SUVs in its segment, it doesn’t come across as cheap or plasticky. Instead, the overall look can be summed up as understated or timeless.
ENGINE AND DRIVE
Nissan has equipped all 2018 Pathfinders with a 3.5L V6 engine outputting 284hp through a continuously variable transmission (CVT). I like that there’s no engine option as Nissan has chosen the most ideal candidate for the Pathfinder, keeping things simple and efficient.
The engine doesn’t feel panicky or jumpy, which means the drive is a lot more forgiving and relaxed. But don’t mistake the engine to being a slouch, because if you suddenly find the need for some extra power, all you have to do is rev the engine to its higher limits and the power really shines through. Getting used to CVT driving takes a bit of time but once you get the hang of it you will love the relaxed and comfortable ride.
As an SUV designed to be as comfortable as possible, the 2018 Pathfinder’s handling is also aligned in that direction, by sacrificing a bit of precision for driveability. While you might not be able to push the limits around a corner, instead the soft suspension will absorb pretty much every bump on the road and keep passengers riding smooth and comfortably.
The 2018 Nissan Pathfinder offers some pretty impressive fuel economy considering the size of the vehicle. Posted rates of 12.4 L/100km in the city and 9.2 L/100km on the highway for the Platinum version we tested were right on the mark, as our 200km test drive yielded a combined fuel economy of 12.1 L/100km. These rates put the 2018 Nissan Pathfinder towards the top of its very competitive class.
The 2018 Nissan Pathfinder is at the top of its class with a towing capacity of 6,000 pounds, a figure that beats the Acura MDX, Honda Pilot, 2018 Buick Enclave, 2018 Chevy Traverse and pretty much every other comparable!
Overall the 2018 Pathfinder is a pleasure to drive with smooth and effortless power, confident and precise handling and effortless cruising. The tight turning radius and around view monitor make for easy manoeuvrability despite the size of this three row SUV.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Offering genuine off-road capabilities, a huge towing capacity and a smooth ride, the 2018 Nissan Pathfinder is an all-round great choice in the 3 row SUV segment. Starting at only $32,998 and having a package that’s right for everyone, the 2018 Pathfinder is one of the best options at an economical price. Take one for a test drive to check out the interior versatility and the comfortable drive. You’ll definitely be impressed!
