2005 Nissan Pathfinder Road Test

Bigger, Bolder and Better than Ever

When Nissan introduced its full-size Pathfinder Armada last year, a general concern spread over those faithful to the venerable midsize Pathfinder. Would this Chevy Tahoe, Ford Expedition competitor replace their favorite SUV?

While it was initially confusing for Nissan to attach the Pathfinder name to their new full-size sport utility, which was recently simply renamed the Armada, its hard to blame the Japanese brands marketers for trying to associate something all-new with an SUV as legendary as the Pathfinder. After all, the first Pathfinder entered the scene in 1986, garnering accolades and devout 4x4 loyalists ever since. It was among the forerunners in the SUV game.

Speaking of forerunners, Nissans number one Pathfinder competitor since day one, the Toyota

The first Pathfinder entered the scene in 1986, garnering accolades and devout 4x4 loyalists ever since. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

4Runner, was completely updated last year, making the outgoing Nissan look and feel more than a bit dated. But out with the old and in with the new, Nissan has given its midsize SUV a complete makeover including all the right equipment to take on its Asian, European and domestic challengers.

When I first saw the 2005 Pathfinder in photos I knew I was going to like it even more in person, and happily wasnt let down when I first arrived in the beautiful mountainous

Nissan has given its midsize SUV a complete makeover including all the right equipment to take on its Asian, European and domestic challengers. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

regious Nissan had chosen to debut it, complete with a bevy of multicolored SUVs lined up in the hotel parking lot. Personally I find the new Pathfinder the best looking of all new midsize sport utes. Its bold, in-your-face chrome grille mirroring its larger Armada sibling, works for me, while its muscular fender flares add to its take-no-prisoners persona.

From the back I couldnt help notice that the Pathfinder pays some tribute to Nissans car-based Murano,

Nissan has given its midsize SUV a complete makeover including all the right equipment to take on its Asian, European and domestic challengers. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

not a bad choice of models to emulate considering the success the Japanese brand has had with this particular model. While it features a much more vertical tailgate, necessary for the versatile cargo area and third row of seats, a similar trapezoidal rear window is highlighted by unique sheetmetal creases. Outside of the Nissan family, theres nothing that remotely looks like the Pathfinder, which is an impressive feat consider the shear number of SUVs on the market. No doubt, Nissan will win over many converts just on styling alone, but the new sport

As soon as you open the door, its easy to see that Nissan has been working on improving materials quality. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

utility offers a great deal more for new vehicle buyers than merely appearances.

Step inside and its easy to see the automaker has been working on improving materials quality. I really like the dash design, which runs a horizontal tubular shaped segment from door to door, intersected at the middle by a protruding center stack. The textured soft-touch plastic used on this horizontal piece is particularly nice to the touch, while surrounding plastics are an upgrade over the outgoing Pathfinder if not class leading.

The instrument cluster nestles beneath a semicircle shroud, shading four

The steering wheel sports a thick, leather-clad grip and thumb actuated buttons for audio and cruise control. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

simple white on black dials and a myriad of trouble lights. The steering wheel that frames these is another coup for Nissan, sporting a thick, leather-clad grip and thumb actuated buttons for audio and cruise control. I found them easy to reach despite my smaller than average hands, and noted that the controls themselves clicked with high-quality tactility. The same can be said of the column-mounted wiper, headlight, and turn-signal stalks, easy for my fingers to find without the need to remove my hands from the steering wheel, while made of premium materials.

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