2019 Nissan Pathfinder Review

　　

zzdcar' Expert Review

byKurt NiebuhrSenior Vehicle Test Editor

　　Kurt Niebuhr has worked in the automotive industry since 2005. A automotive photographer by trade, Kurt is now one of zzdcar' high-performance test drivers. He's driven and photographed hundreds, if not thousands, of vehicles all over the world, so Kurt's library of automotive experiences would certainly make for a good book. When not dreaming about getting his racing license or trying to buy out-of-date film for his cameras, Kurt can usually be found cursing at his 1966 Mustang.

　　

What's new

Rear parking sensors and USB-C ports now standard on specific trim levelsAdditional driver aids now standard on all but base trim levelNew Rock Creek Edition packagePart of the fourth Pathfinder generation introduced for 2013

　　The Pathfinder went through a substantial upgrade back in 2017, so not much has changed for the current year. The 2019 Nissan Pathfinder now offers USB-C ports for front and rear passengers, and features once reserved for the top trim levels trickle down through the range. For example, the SV trim now gets adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, while the SL adds LED headlights to its list of standard equipment.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2019 Nissan Pathfinder S 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl CVT) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.04 per gallon for regular unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$164/mo  for Pathfinder S

　　Pathfinder S

　　S 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl CVT) - $31,530 MSRPS 4dr SUV 4WD (3.5L 6cyl CVT) - $33,220 MSRPSV 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl CVT) - $34,370 MSRPSV 4dr SUV 4WD (3.5L 6cyl CVT) - $36,060 MSRPSL 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl CVT) - $38,020 MSRPSL 4dr SUV 4WD (3.5L 6cyl CVT) (Most Popular) - $39,710 MSRPPlatinum 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl CVT) - $42,870 MSRPPlatinum 4dr SUV 4WD (3.5L 6cyl CVT) - $44,560 MSRP

　　vs

　　$229/mo

　　Avg. Large SUV

　　Thankfully, there's still the smooth and torquey 3.5-liter V6 and what is arguably the best use of a CVT automatic on sale today. This combination not only provides good power, but it also helps all Pathfinders tow an impressive 6,000 pounds, no matter the trim level or drive configuration.

　　There are a few areas where the Pathfinder is a bit of a letdown. The touchscreen interface has dated graphics and lacks Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, for instance. Mediocre outward visibility, less cargo space than some top rivals, and a somewhat harsh ride quality are other drawbacks.

　　Still, the 2019 Pathfinder manages to be a solid jack-of-all-trades vehicle. It provides plenty of capability and passenger room along with an easy-driving demeanor. It's worth a look for shoppers wanting an unassuming three-row crossover SUV with good towing capacity.

　　

zzdcar' Expert Rating

6.8 / 10

　　

Trim tested

　　The ratings in this review are based on a full test of the Nissan Pathfinder Platinum (3.5-liter V6 | CVT automatic | 4WD).

　　

Scorecard

Overall	6.8 / 10
Driving	7.0
Comfort	7.0
Interior	6.5
Utility	7.5
Technology	6.5

　　

Driving

7.0

　　Competency and stability are clearly more important than raw speed and ability in this class, but that doesn't mean a crossover SUV has the right to be sloppy. The Pathfinder manages to find the middle ground quite well with a torquey engine and friendly daily driving dynamics.

　　

Acceleration

7.5

　　The readily accessible torque from this motor is deceptive since it's going to take a lot more power to make the heavy Pathfinder truly swift. Left in 2WD, there's too much wheelspin under hard acceleration, and the CVT automatic appears unsure at higher rpm. But there is good power for everyday driving.

　　

Braking

7.5

　　Under typical driving conditions, the brakes are reassuring and responsive to subtle modulation. During our panic-brake testing, the brake pedal was softer and less confident. ABS noise and brake dive were higher than expected, but the stability and 124-foot stopping distance were commendable.

　　

Steering

5.5

　　The high-level assist, combined with a small steering wheel, makes low-speed maneuvering easy. The steering has a very high self-centering effect, too. Having to resist the steering wheel as you finish going around a turn just doesn't feel natural.

　　

Handling

6.5

　　The Pathfinder leans a fair bit through moderate -and higher-speed curves, but it stays tidy and never feels sloppy. Stability control always manages to keep the Pathfinder on a short leash, but the intervention is soft and doesn't upset the vehicle.

　　

Drivability

7.5

　　This might be the best application of a CVT automatic on the market thanks to the broad torque band and smoothness of the Pathfinder's V6 engine. Moderate acceleration is effortless. Despite its size, the Nissan feels just as easy to guide down city streets as it does the open highway.

　　

Off-road

6.5

　　There's a selector knob for 2WD, 4WD Lock and 4WD Auto. But with only 7 inches of ground clearance, the 4WD system is best left for slippery surfaces instead of true off-roading.

　　

Comfort

7.0

　　Comfort is what many shoppers want most from a midsize crossover, and the front passengers certainly won't go without it. The second- and third-row seating is better tailored to children. An often choppy ride is the only real complaint.

　　

Seat comfort

7.0

　　Front passengers get nicely shaped and well-padded seats with heating and cooling. The second-row seats are accommodating and have climate control, but the high floor makes the seating position less comfortable for taller people. The third row is suitable for smaller children.

　　

Ride comfort

5.5

　　Over broken pavement, the Pathfinder feels more like the previous-generation truck-based SUV, compared to this new family-friendly iteration. Body control is fair on smooth pavement, but the shocks don't seem to be able to keep up with the heavy wheels, resulting in a choppy, busy ride that comes into the cabin.

　　

Noise & vibration

7.5

　　Engine noise and vibration are well-isolated from the cabin even under hard acceleration. Wind noise from the rearview mirrors only starts to become audible at higher speeds, but it's minor and can be drowned out with music.

　　

Climate control

8.0

　　The Pathfinder's tri-zone climate control is effective and easy to use, even if it looks a little dated. Second-row passengers get heated seats, and airflow to the third row is adequate.

　　

Interior

6.5

　　As comfortable as the Pathfinder is, the interior can't escape looking a touch dated. The huge second-row glass roof helps cut down on claustrophobia and brightens up the cabin. The driving position could be a bit more accommodating, which would surely help with visibility.

　　

Ease of use

6.5

　　Most major controls are well-labeled, and even though the layout appears cluttered, the interior makes sense. The steering wheel controls for the instrument panel display double as audio controls and can cause a bit of frustration. Buttons located by the driver's left knee seem like an afterthought.

　　

Getting in/getting out

7.0

　　The wide-opening doors and a reasonable ride height make it easy to get in and out of both the first and second rows. Access to the third row takes a bit of effort due to the sheer size of the sliding second-row seats and the Pathfinder's low roofline.

　　

Driving position

6.5

　　Drivers of medium height seem to fare best at the wheel of the Pathfinder. Taller drivers will find the interior ergonomics a bit too low, and shorter drivers will wish for better visibility over the dashboard. The sheer size of the vehicle is masked well, with a small steering wheel and a very car-like dash.

　　

Roominess

7.0

　　There's plenty of room inside for all but third-row passengers. The height of the second-row seats makes the third row feel pretty claustrophobic and limits legroom for anyone larger than a child.

　　

Visibility

6.5

　　In the Pathfinder, you feel as if you're in control of a smaller SUV, but its outward visibility mimics that of a larger SUV. It can be a struggle to see the front corners of the vehicle. The large side mirrors are helpful, and the Intelligent Around View Monitor greatly aids tight parking maneuvers.

　　

Quality

7.0

　　The Nissan looks and feels well screwed-together, and all the panels have good fit and finish. The second- and third-row door panels have a fair amount of hard plastic, and the wood trim isn't very convincing.

　　

Utility

7.5

　　A vehicle this size should be fairly versatile, and the Pathfinder offers more than enough cargo configurations and storage space to be competitive. Unfortunately, the seats don't fold completely to create a flat load floor, and cargo capacity is less than the competition. On the upside, the Pathfinder can tow 6,000 pounds.

　　

Small-item storage

7.5

　　There's more than an adequate amount of room for sunglasses, phones, parking cards and drinks. Second-row passengers get door-mounted drink holders and door storage, while third-row passengers just have the drink storage.

　　

Cargo space

7.0

　　With the third-row seats in use, there's room for a row of groceries but not much else. Folding down the third and second rows provides an adequate 78.9 cubic feet of storage. The load floor is uneven, and the liftover height is a bit high.

　　

Child safety seat accommodation

7.5

　　LATCH anchors can be found on the outboard second-row seats. The Pathfinder makes it possible to keep a child seat hooked up while allowing the second-row seat to slide forward to provide access to the third row.

　　

Towing

8.0

　　All trim levels of the Pathfinder are rated to tow 6,000 pounds when properly equipped, putting it ahead of many of its main rivals.

　　

Technology

6.5

　　Nissan tends to lag behind the competition in this area no matter which Pathfinder model you choose. Special mention goes to the powerful 13-speaker Bose audio system and the 360-degree parking camera, but everything else is due for a serious update.

　　

Audio & navigation

6.5

　　A powerful 13-speaker Bose system is standard on the Platinum trim level and with the optional Nissan Mobile Entertainment System, second-row passengers have two screens, DVD playback, an HDMI and USB for video. But the navigation graphics are dated.

　　

Smartphone integration

5.0

　　iPhone connectivity, though not through Apple CarPlay, is supported, but Android users will need to go through Bluetooth audio to play their music. Connection to Bluetooth is swift, but Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support is prevalent among the Pathfinder's competition.

　　

Driver aids

7.0

　　Nissan makes many advanced driver aids available on the Pathfinder. Forward collision warning with automatic braking is standard even on the S trim level, and the SV gets even more. The tire-pressure monitoring system has helpful readouts for individual pressures.

　　

Voice control

5.5

　　Voice recognition is good, but it's slow. There is a menu screen to help you through the myriad of menus, but that only reinforces the expediency of skipping the voice commands altogether.

　　

Which Pathfinder does zzdcar recommend?

　　Our choice of Pathfinder is the SL trim since it includes a few more desirable features than the base-level S and SV. These include a power liftgate, a 360-degree parking camera and leather upholstery. The top-of-the-line Platinum has even more features, but we dislike the harsher ride quality that comes with this trim's 20-inch wheels. Stick with the 18-inch wheels if you can.

　　

2019 Nissan Pathfinder models

　　The base S comes with a range of essential features and nice surprises, starting with a 3.5-liter V6 engine (284 horsepower, 259 lb-ft of torque) paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive comes standard, but a four-wheel-drive system is optional and includes hill descent control and a special four-wheel-drive locking function for extra traction. It should be noted that all Pathfinders are capable of towing 6,000 pounds.

　　Highlights of the S trim's standard features include 18-inch alloy wheels, roof rails, tri-zone automatic climate control, a rearview camera, keyless ignition and entry, a 60/40-split folding second-row seat (which also slides and reclines), Bluetooth, an 8-inch touchscreen interface, and a six-speaker sound system with HD and satellite radio, a CD player and dual USB ports (one Type A and one Type C) for both front and rear passengers. Automatic emergency braking and reverse parking sensors also come standard.

　　The SV adds automatic headlights, foglights, rear parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, a power-adjustable driver's seat, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. An optional All Weather package offers heated front seats, along with heated side mirrors and steering wheel. A navigation system, driver safety aids, Nissan telematics services, and a trailer hitch receiver and wiring harness are available with the optional Tech package.

　　Moving up to the SL, our recommended trim, adds the features from the SV's All Weather and Tech packages, as well as leather upholstery, LED headlights, a power liftgate, a top-down 360-degree parking camera system, a power-adjustable passenger seat, heated second-row seats and upgraded interior trim.

　　The optional SL Premium package adds 20-inch wheels, a panoramic sunroof, a 13-speaker Bose audio system and a trailer hitch receiver. You can also order the SL with the Midnight Edition package, which includes blacked-out 20-inch wheels, side mirrors, roof rails and other cosmetic elements.

　　For 2019, Nissan has come out with the Pathfinder Rock Creek Edition, which is fundamentally a styling package for either the SV or SL trim level. On the outside, the Rock Creek Edition comes with dark-painted 18-inch wheels with all-season tires and a blackout treatment for the grille, badges, roof rails, side-mirror caps, door handles and fender flares. Inside, you'll find a two-tone color scheme with Rock Creek embroidery and orange contrast stitching.

　　Finally, the Platinum bundles all the previously mentioned options with ventilated front seats, a power-adjustable steering wheel and wood interior trim. A rear-seat entertainment system with dual 8-inch headrest displays is optional for the Platinum only.

　　Jump to:Related 2019 Pathfinder articles

　　

2019 Pathfinder Highlights

Trim: SSVSLPlatinumS

　　

Base MSRP	$31,530
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	23 MPG
Cost to Drive	$164/month
Seating	7 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	16.2 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles