Is the Nissan Pathfinder a Bigger Xterra?
Everyone misses the beloved Nissan Xterra. But it was discontinued in 2015 due to declining sales, a poor fuel economy, and the work it would take to meet increasing emission standards. However, is the Nissan Pathfinder a larger version of the Xterra that can fill off-roading needs?
Is the Nissan Pathfinder a good SUV?
Yes, the Nissan Pathfinder ranks pretty well for a three-row SUV. It has a competitive price that starts around $31k, making it competitive with the Kia Telluride and Honda Pilot, which also start at about $31k.
Also, the Nissan Pathfinder has a pretty good fuel economy. It can get up to 20 mpg in the city and up to 27 mpg on the highway. So, as a larger SUV than the Nissan Xterra, at least it helped solve the fuel economy issues.
Nissan Pathfinder performance
The 2020 Nissan Pathfinder comes with one engine option, with is a 3.5-liter V6 that pumps out 284 horsepower and 259 lb-ft of torque. It can tow up to 6,000 lb, making it more capable than rivals. Also, it accelerates from 0 to 60 mph, 7.7 seconds. This isn’t the fastest or the slowest acceleration, but it’s still classified as peppy.
To go off-roading as the Nissan Xterra could, the Nissan Pathfinder does have four-wheel-drive. This is another option it has to compete against its rivals that only have all-wheel drive available.
RELATED READ: How to Choose Between the Kia Telluride and Sorento
However, the Nissan Pathfinder is longer, wider, and heavier than the Nissan Xterra was, so that could cause problems on the trail. Generally, smaller vehicles are more suited for narrow dirt trails through the woods. But the Xterra has a longer wheelbase, so the Nissan Pathfinder has an advantage for climbing over rocks.
The intelligent 4×4 system can be used in 2×2, 4×4 lock, and automatic. The automatic mode helps send the right amount of torque and braking power to each wheel to adjust to a variety of changing conditions.
Also, the Nissan Pathfinder has an independent front suspension, an independent multi-link rear suspension, dual flow path shock absorbers, and stabilizer bars in the front and rear. So, it is equipped for tackling off-road challenges pretty well.
2020 Nissan Pathfinder features
The Nissan Pathfinder is pretty modern compared to the 2015 Nissan Xterra. It’s more of a family vehicle, too, with seating for up to 7 passengers. There is up to 79.5 cubic feet of cargo space with flexible storage for all your gear too.
The digital cluster display behind the steering wheel provides crucial information during your trip, including turn by turn navigation. There is Bluetooth connectivity, and you can connect to Alexis and Google Assistant. Plus, with the six USB ports in the second row, everyone can keep their favorite devices charged.
In terms of safety, the 2020 Nissan Pathfinder has a 360 view, providing protection on all sides. It also has automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot warning, electronic brake assist, rear-cross traffic alert, Snug Kids latch safety, and more.
So, you can say that the Nissan Pathfinder is a larger Xterra. It’s like the Xterra grew up to become a family SUV. While the Nissan Pathfinder is fun to drive with off-roading power, it also has comfort, safety, and modern tech for the whole family to enjoy.
