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The 2024 Nissan Pathfinder Platinum has an off-road swagger and a cavernous inside — good causes to contemplate placing it in your driveway if it is advisable haul folks, baggage, and issues with 4 legs and a tail. The '21 refresh introduced the Pathfinder into the fashionable period. It's strong, however not the most effective in its class. right here's why.
It's a great SUV – however others are just a little higher
I just like the Ford Explorer, Kia Telluride, Honda Pilot, Mazda CX-90 and plenty of different automobiles on this extremely aggressive section. autoblog Editors rated the Pathfinder a 7 out of 10, which is an effective rating, although we declined to provide it Editors' Selection standing, as there are a number of SUVs we expect are higher general (talked about right here Right here's the way it stacks up in opposition to the pilot).
This isn't essentially a knock on Pathfinder. This new technology is an enormous step up from the dinosaur Nissan has been promoting for years. Though it launched in 2021, it nonetheless feels contemporary. I examined the Platinum mannequin with all-wheel drive, and I appreciated the styling and spacious inside.
its presence is
In the event you like a big SUV with character then the Pathfinder often is the proper SUV for you. You may get different issues with three rows which have extra of a crossover really feel. Nissan is just not going to do this right here. The design has a blocky vibe, with a distinguished grille framed by giant wheels and LED headlights. It virtually feels extra pure to scale in opposition to one thing just like the truck-based Chevy Tahoe. That's what Nissan goes for right here, consistent with the Pathfinder's historical past and off-road pedigree. The model has gone to the extent of selling it as “four-wheel drive”, when it’s really all-wheel drive. Then again, you might not need this mobility. For instance, the Hyundai Palisade is huge but drives small. Or in case you actually need that off-road angle, you possibly can all the time purchase a Jeep.
rock creek model is the most effective
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Talking of characters, the Pathfinder I discovered most fascinating was the Rock Creek model (see above), which I performed first. Though this Platinum mannequin is effectively geared up, the Rock Creek has extra enchantment with 18-inch beadlock aluminum alloy wheels, a roof rack, an off-road suspension, and inside badging. It jogged my memory of the previous Nissan Xterra.
i like the inside
I imply, it's the platinum trim, so it's cool. Nevertheless it's not all leather-based and heat. Pathfinder has an intuitive format. It has a great mixture of knobs and buttons. The 12-inch digital dashboard and 9-inch touchscreen are straightforward to learn and entry. The moon roof allows loads of gentle, which I appreciated on a depressing winter day. This Pathfinder seats seven and has second-row captain's chairs, which my household loves, and the console is detachable, much like the Honda Pilot's console, which we appreciated throughout our 2023 Expertise of the Yr testing. Captain's chairs and detachable console are a $550 choice on the Platinum.
This Pathfinder had a charcoal and grey coloration scheme, which is extra refined than your different picks, being principally gentle grey. Nissan did a great job utilizing the bigger sizes for type and performance. The middle stack extends sufficient to make it straightforward to entry, and the armrests are broad sufficient to create a cushty driving place. Naturally, the Pathfinder presents an incredible view of the street. And value noting, the 13-speaker Bose sound system is strong. That is the second Nissan in a row I've pushed with Bose audio system (I drove an Altima per week in the past) that produce nice sound.
it's good within the snow
This shouldn't be shocking, contemplating it is a heavy SUV with all-wheel drive. Nonetheless, when a winter storm dumped 4 inches of snow, the Pathfinder discovered me a approach out. There's a snow mode, which seems to assist by calibrating the facility supply. That stated, it generally overcompensates, making the Pathfinder really feel sandbagged once I trudge by way of mud. My resolution: Change to regular mode and luxuriate in just a little slip and slide by way of corners.