Nissan Pathfinder Overland Profile

Nissan seized the opportunity in the mid-1980s by coming up with affordable and fuel-efficient pickup trucks for recreation uses. The durable double-wall and hard body SUV became known as the Pathfinder that molded itself from generations to what it is today.

Nissan Pathfinder that we see today was the buildup of four generations. The first generation was a two-door pathfinder with an aggressive front but a comfortable interior.  This off-road enthusiast car had an engine of 3.0-liter V6 rated at 140 horsepower.

Soon it was discontinued after introducing the all-new second-generation aerodynamic pathfinders, where engines went to 3.3 liters and 250 horsepower, which also had a family-friendly interior. The third-generation Pathfinder came with a seven-seater capacity using a modified F-Alpha platform developed for a full-size SUV.

The engine was a level up to a 5.6 liter V8 with a horsepower of 310. An advanced level of style, comfort, fuel efficiency, and technology introduced in the fourth generation with latch and glide; EX flex seating, V-6 engine with an MPG up to 27.

It took 30 years for the body-on-frame SUV to evolve into a uni body cross-over for your family adventures to come to life with the fifth and current generation of Pathfinder in 2022 with considerable differences in appearance.

Models

Cost

★★★☆☆

Purchasing Cost

The Nissan Pathfinder comes in different models and price ranges; Series S costs $33,000, SV costs 36,000, SL costs $40,000, and Platinum costs $45,000.

The best deal comes from the SV, a level up from the S series with added heated seats, cruise control, satellite radio, and much more.

Maintenance Costs 

Maintenance will vary upon the model, driving habits, conditions, and mileage. The Nissan Pathfinder has an annual maintenance cost that rounds up to $542, making it comparatively cheaper to maintain than other SUVs.

It needs scheduled maintenance over three years while newer cars can go on a little longer. The frequency score tells you how long a vehicle can go without supervision; hence the closer the frequency score is to 0, the more extended the time in maintenance.

It has a frequency score of 1.29 as compared to the industrial average of 1.3.

The Nissan Pathfinder’s ideal conditions are Hwy cruising commutes, warn temperatures, unsalted and smooth roads. To avoid higher costs of unscheduled maintenance, getting your car to read up the manual to gain in-depth knowledge of checkup intervals is essential.

Oil change after 7500 miles which is averaged every three months with tire rotation. General inspections of batteries, belts, air filters, hoses, and inflation pressure are supposed to be checked every three months.

Brake pads are recommended to be changed every 30 to 50k miles, and the pathfinder has a powertrain warranty of 60,000 miles every five years.

Reliability

★★★☆☆

Nissan has undergone many generations of extensive research and development to develop a comfortable, stylish, convenient, and spacious SUV that is also family-oriented.

However, as per consumers, 72 out of 100 points were given on-road testing performance and an average of 3 out of 5 predicted reliabilities. As a result, Nissan Pathfinder has been ranked 14th in midsize SUVs, 35th in crossovers, and 15th in SUVs, with three rows in the world, reports.

Nissan Pathfinder depreciates about 50% of its value in the 1st four years; for example, a car valued at 31,980 will go down to 20K in a decent condition, and another added year will drop it down to 15K.

Along with this, people have reported issues with the engine, body hardware, and car electronics which deems it unreliable as it has high repair costs.

Parts

★★★☆☆

Accessibility

Nissan Pathfinder has a fantastic aftermarket supply of components as they are readily available with various dealerships. It has been through multiple upgrades throughout the years, and the abundance is available online on multiple platforms.

Aftermarket Upgrades

You can enjoy innovation and purchase from a range of roof racks, tents, armors, and tires & wheels. While it’s not as upgradable as the Jeep Wrangler, there is still a range of upgrades available for the pathfinder.

Storage

★★★☆☆

Nissan Pathfinder has a decent storage space seen in the spacious armrest for the front seats and a center console for the second row. The third row has a cargo trunk area that is big enough to fit four to five suitcases.

Nissan Pathfinder First generation (WD21) 1992

Nissan Pathfinder Second generation (R50) 1999

 Nissan Pathfinder Third generation (R51) 2005

Nissan Pathfinder Fourth generation (R52) 2013

Nissan Pathfinder Fifth generation (R53) 2021

Comfort 

★★★☆☆

The three-row SUV gives you a cinematic feel, with each row a little higher than the last one that is an outstanding feature in your car. The seats are comfortable and spacious for all types of bodies to sit up and enjoy a great view. They have leg space of 40 inches in the second row, yet the third row proves to be great for children as it has 30 inches of leg space.

The comfort kicks in at hands-free access, where a mere kick can open your rear door. Now, with the help of a motion-activated liftgate, you a carry as many things you like.

On-screen easy to use navigation, swift knobs to tune volume, and various quick charge cables such as USB, USB-C, and DC ports give travelers a unique experience. In addition, Nissan Pathfinder has a rear door alter that gives you a visual, audible change to check the rear seat; now, you never have to forget anything in the back seat!

Pathfinder adjusts the driver seats to a preset position and auto controls the heat and cooling because of its Zone Climate Control system to create a higher degree of comfort.

The second and third seated passengers are also not neglected as they are given their own A/C, heaters, and a 120-volt outlet to charge your electronics. The Tri-Zone entertainment keeps the entire unit happy with screen mirroring technology or HDMI inputs on a touch screen display.

Finally, if you are willing to spend a little extra, you get that panoramic glass roof and a Bose surround system.

Safety

★★★★☆

Pathfinder has automatic emergency brakes that control your speed by calculating the distance between the car ahead and automatically slowing you down, which helps avoid a frontal collision.

Blind spot warning is another feature that keeps an eye out on blind areas for any incoming vehicles from the sides. Nissan has upgraded their airbag system with seat belt sensors and occupant classification sensors those move with you according to your seat position.

The back rows also have protection from the roof-mounted supplement airbags. It has an easy-fill tire alert that lets you know the exact pressure needed. It has a LATCH-compatible system that secures back seats without the use of seat belts, along with intelligent cruise control that adjusts your speed even if your attention is diverted.

All in all, Nissan Pathfinder has been recognized with five-star ratings by the NHTSA IIHS rate.

Off-Road 

★★★☆☆

Rock Creek Edition has an off-road look with extra ruggedness that does not compromise on comfort. In addition, they added a few off-road aesthetics and upgrades to this that would become useful in off-road situations.

Front grills, rails, door handles, mirror caps, and badges are all in black, along with add-on such as splash guards. The interior has its own set of innovations with two-tone comfortable seats with heated steering wheels, side mirrors, and seats.

The easily switchable 4×4-I system from 2WD to 4WD can ensure uneven and challenging terrains or any types of loose drifts.

Nitto’s Terra Grappler G2s provide the Pathfinder with extra clearance and off-pavement up to 65000 miles along with a more aggressive look. The tread pattern would allow you to escape muddy and messy situations, snow-filled tracks, or flood water crossings.

This SUV has a 3.5-liter V-6 engine at a horsepower of 289 and torque of 259 pound-feet that comes in handy in towing situations that go up to 6000 pounds.

Nissan Pathfinder Overland Build Example 

Equipment

• Roof Rack: Smittybilt Defender Roof Rack
• Tent: Yakima SkyRise Medium Green Rooftop Tent
• Fridge: AstroAI Mini Fridge 4 Liter/6 Can AC/DC Portable Thermoelectric Cooler
• Compressor: Four Seasons A/C Compressor
• Water Storage: Front Runner 42L/11 Gallon Water Tank

Drvetrain

• Tires: Nitto Trail Grappler Tires
• Wheels: RTX – BLACK WIDOW Satin Black 18-inch Wheels
• Suspension: Zone Suspension 6 Suspension System
• Rear Differential: Detroit True Trac LSD

Armor

• Front Bumper: Sherman – Front Bumpers
• Rear Bumper: Replace NI1100315C – Rear Bumper
• Rock Slider: Fatboy Rocksliders

Recovery

• Recovery Boards: DeeZee Nerf Bars
• Winch: Warn ZEON 10 Platinum Winch
• Jack: Hi-Lift Jack HL484
• Shovel: DMOS Delta Folding Shovel
• Recovery Kit: Gear America – recovery kit
• Tire Deflator: Currie EZ Tyre Deflator
• Tire Repair: Red Hound Auto Tire Replacement Kit

Lighting

• Light Bar: Vanguard Off Road Series 6 Bottom mount Dual row Combo Spot (25”,31”,36”,39)
• Rock Lights: SUNPIE White LED Rock Light Kit
• Reverse Lights: Delta Power Pipes LED Backup Lights
• Camp Lights: 4WDKING LED Light Scene Beam
• Interior Lights: Niking Auto Universal LED Dome Light

Electrical

• Power: Honda EB2200i
• Solar: Go Power Solar Kit
• Battery: Antigravity Lithium Battery At12bs-rs

Conclusion

The seven-seater crossover is an excellent choice for families offering luxury at an economical price point. You get premium components and good fuel efficiency; however, just like any other SUV, the pathfinder has its own set of pros and cons.

It has a remarkable space and cargo room and special safety measures, and unique and impressive technological and entertainment features.

Overall, it is a pragmatic machine for equitable money, which means it gives value to your buck if used wisely for adventure seekers and families.

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Brent

Hey y’all, my name is Brent and I have been an outdoor enthusiast since I was born…at least as far back as I can recall. I never wanted to be inside, which was pretty difficult for my parents as a kid. I got hooked on Overlanding in my early 20’s after I rolled the first Jeep I owned into a shallow ditch, and I never looked back.

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