Good basic truck style SUV
2009 model was(I think) last Pathfinder built on ladder (truck) frame. SE model has full 4-wheel drive which makes it heavier and less fuel efficient (19-22 mpg avg, 13 mpg pulling 3,000# trailer with a lot of windage). Micheline SUV tires are great on road and slippery boat ramps.
After 11 years and 160k miles of service, everything still works except one radio preset button, which makes for a good value in my opinion.
Interior is basic, with lots of hard plastic. Controls are generally easy to see and operate. Interior is easy to clean. Especially when covered in beach sand, wet dive gear, or farm equipment. Front and back climate controls are well lit, and locking them from up front is great to keep little fingers from their habit of annoying the driver....
Interior volume is nice, and rear and middle seats fold (relatively) flat for packing lots of camping stuff. Third row seats are very basic. Best for limber and smaller folk. Seats are cloth and firm. They've lasted this long with minimal maintenance (driver seat cushion edge wears out faster with all the entry/exit).
Chassis and suspension are very solid (again, more truck than minivan). Can be stiff on long drives. But very few squeaks or rattles, and cabin is pretty quiet at operating speed. Doors close with solid sound and don't sound like soda cans.
Paint is flaking at one or two spots but after this long in Southern US sunshine, it's common for all but the most premium finishes with multiple layers. A couple drops of touch up paint does the trick.
With regular service, this engine has performed flawlessly as expected. I use for slightly heavy use pulling boat trailers.
I don't street drag, compete in monster truck shows, drive off glaciers, climb the north face, or expect miracles as seen in movies. I have reasonable expectations of long service life, durable construction, ability to perform my own general maintenance without a computer science degree or a shop full of special tools, and general driveability. To all these aspects, the Pathfinder has and continues to perform admirably.
Recommended
Verified Owner
