The 2015 Nissan Pathfinder is powered by a 3.5L engine making 260hp. The 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 lower in both environments. Part of this economy is attributable to Nissan's standard continuously variable (CVT) transmission which, unlike traditional automatics, 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 third-row access much easier. The third row even has a reclining feature, which is uncommon for vehicles of this size.
The 2015 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.
A hybrid powertrain is also available in 2015. Available in SV, SL and Platinum trims, it combines a supercharged 2.5L 4-cylinder engine, a 15-kW electric motor and a lithium-ion battery to make 230 combined horsepower and 243 lb-feet of torque. This drivetrain flows through the CVT as well, making for impressive fuel economy, especially for a 7-passenger sport-utility. The Pathfinder hybrid gets 25 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway in 2-wheel drive trim. 4-wheel drive Pathfinder hybrids still get 25 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway.
Safety is addressed in the 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.
Good Fuel Economy
Spacious Interior
5000-lb Towing Capacity
Third Row Seating
Competitive Pricing
Available Hybrid Drivetrain
After a full redesign just a couple of years ago, the Nissan Pathfinder enters 2015 mostly unchanged. However, Nissan have continued to make minor refinements the vehicle over the past couple of years and 2015 is no exception. New available features include a Blind Spot Warning system, Rear Cross Traffic Alert and a hill descent mode. A new option package, the Family Entertainment Package has also been introduced, featuring a DVD entertainment system. In addition, the Xtronic transmission has also been reprogrammed to feel smoother, without compromising fuel efficiency for 2015.
Between its seating capacity and fuel economy the Pathfinder makes a good value play. While previous Pathfinders competed with truck-like SUVs like the Toyota 4Runner, the 2015 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.
The hybrid is rated at 26 combined mpg, impressive fuel economy for any SUV, particularly one that can haul up to 7 passengers.
