2017 Nissan Pathfinder
07-07-16, 06:08 PM
#1
2017 Nissan Pathfinder
Nissan revealed the refreshed 2017 Pathfinder today, showing a more rugged looking and more powerful version of the model that debuted in 2013. The 2017 model will mark the 30th anniversary of the debut of the original boxy Pathfinder, and Nissan is marking the occasion with a facelift for the new one.
This is a refresh, not an all-new model. As such, it still resembles the outgoing 2016 model in many respects. The profile remains mostly the same, but the front and rear facias have been reworked. There are new designs for the headlights, taillights, foglights, and daytime running lights. A new grill surrounds all this new lighting, butting up against a raised and slightly bulkier hood. Overall, it does give the front of the new Pathfinder a slightly more butch appearance than the outgoing model, though nothing close to the old body-on-frame vehicles of yesteryear.
Underneath the skin, the 2017 Pathfinder still closely resembles the model that debuted in 2013. There are some advanced safety features like collision mitigation available on upper trim models. The suspension has been stiffened slightly and Nissan engineers adjusted the steering, but the four-wheel-drive system continues unchanged.
The biggest change mechanically comes under the hood. Nissan admits that the 3.5-liter V6 is not a new design, but it does employ quite a few new parts. The engine now cranks out 284 horsepower and 259 pound-feet of torque (up from 260 hp and 250 lb-ft). It uses direct injection and, in combination with a decreased drag coefficient, achieves the same fuel economy numbers as the 2016 model. The increased power output raises towing capacity to an impressive 6,000 pounds.
Inside, the Pathfinder benefits from a slightly redesigned console as well as a larger eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The Pathfinder will be available with the company's divisive NissanConnect system. With a subscription, customers will have access to emergency services, remote access, and three years of Sirius XM Traffic and Travel service.
This is a refresh, not an all-new model. As such, it still resembles the outgoing 2016 model in many respects. The profile remains mostly the same, but the front and rear facias have been reworked. There are new designs for the headlights, taillights, foglights, and daytime running lights. A new grill surrounds all this new lighting, butting up against a raised and slightly bulkier hood. Overall, it does give the front of the new Pathfinder a slightly more butch appearance than the outgoing model, though nothing close to the old body-on-frame vehicles of yesteryear.
Underneath the skin, the 2017 Pathfinder still closely resembles the model that debuted in 2013. There are some advanced safety features like collision mitigation available on upper trim models. The suspension has been stiffened slightly and Nissan engineers adjusted the steering, but the four-wheel-drive system continues unchanged.
The biggest change mechanically comes under the hood. Nissan admits that the 3.5-liter V6 is not a new design, but it does employ quite a few new parts. The engine now cranks out 284 horsepower and 259 pound-feet of torque (up from 260 hp and 250 lb-ft). It uses direct injection and, in combination with a decreased drag coefficient, achieves the same fuel economy numbers as the 2016 model. The increased power output raises towing capacity to an impressive 6,000 pounds.
Inside, the Pathfinder benefits from a slightly redesigned console as well as a larger eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The Pathfinder will be available with the company's divisive NissanConnect system. With a subscription, customers will have access to emergency services, remote access, and three years of Sirius XM Traffic and Travel service.
07-07-16, 06:20 PM
#2
Nissan admits that the 3.5-liter V6 is not a new design, but it does employ quite a few new parts. The engine now cranks out 284 horsepower and 259 pound-feet of torque (up from 260 hp and 250 lb-ft). It uses direct injection and, in combination with a decreased drag coefficient, achieves the same fuel economy numbers as the 2016 model. The increased power output raises towing capacity to an impressive 6,000 pounds.
07-07-16, 09:47 PM
#3
Hope they fixed the slipping transmission that plagued the early versions(model year 2013-2014) of this truck that resulted in a class action lawsuit being filed against Nissan.
Of course the previous generation Pathfinder, the body on frame truck that used a conventional torque converter automatic was also the subject of a class action lawsuit because of a defective radiator/transmission cooler that fails and lets coolant into the transmission.
Nissan quality just isn't what it used to be. My neighbor still has his 1990 Pathfinder, 500,000 miles on it. Still looks nice as well, no rust, clean interior, passes emissions.
Of course the previous generation Pathfinder, the body on frame truck that used a conventional torque converter automatic was also the subject of a class action lawsuit because of a defective radiator/transmission cooler that fails and lets coolant into the transmission.
Nissan quality just isn't what it used to be. My neighbor still has his 1990 Pathfinder, 500,000 miles on it. Still looks nice as well, no rust, clean interior, passes emissions.
07-07-16, 10:51 PM
#4
Lead Lap
Nissan's quality has been constant since the early 2000s. And at least Nissan went through many measures to make sure the early CVT disaster doesn't happen again. They came down pretty hard on Jatco, their captive supplier.
07-08-16, 03:28 PM
#5
Lexus Test Driver
A fair update, but not enough to propel this model to higher sales status. And it certainly is not a finder of paths. Time for a name change for this mommymobile.
Nissan seems content making okay vehicles. I guess that works, but I'd strive for higher achievements if in charge.
Nissan seems content making okay vehicles. I guess that works, but I'd strive for higher achievements if in charge.
07-08-16, 04:32 PM
#6
Yeah I'd say its constantly crap since Renault took over back in the early 2000's. I'd take a GM or Ford product any day of the week over their mediocre, boring designs and questionable quality.
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07-08-16, 04:51 PM
#8
They do make a few cool things like the GTR, Maxima, and Patrol, but honestly look at how dull, indifferently built and lousy to drive some of their cars are like the Sentra, Frontier, Armada, this Pathfinder, Altima, etc.
07-08-16, 05:27 PM
#9
Lexus Fanatic
Over the years, Pathfinders went back and forth between body-on-frame and unibody design for several successive generations. Looks like they have finally decided to stick with unibody. Which, for today's SUV market, probably makes sense. Body-on-frame usually works best for off-roading, Except for owners of classic mountain goats like the Jeep Wrangler and Nissan XTerra (and the XTerra has now been discontinued in the American market), only about 5-10% of today's SUV owners actually go off-road today in a traditional sense (and a number of insurance policies won't cover off-road damage). So, the vast majority of today SUVs have basically become soccer-mom and/or suburban shopping vehicles for bad weather.
07-08-16, 05:29 PM
#10
Lexus Fanatic
You could say that for most SUVs. It is traditional for them to be given rugged off-road names, whether they are actually used for that purpose or not.....and, of course, most today are not, except for the Jeep Wrangler.
07-08-16, 05:46 PM
#11
Lexus Test Driver
I'd like to see Nissan take the Pathfinder back to it's roots. Toyota has the 4Runner and that works. The Murano already does the mommymobile duty. Don't really need two in that category even though one is slightly larger than the other. With the Xterra on it's way out, the need for something more athletic (off-road) seems appropriate.
07-08-16, 06:44 PM
#12
Lexus Fanatic
07-08-16, 06:55 PM
#13
Lexus Test Driver
Yes, that's what I was referring to. Toyota has kept the 4Runner as an off-roader, so should Nissan.
07-08-16, 07:04 PM
#14
Lexus Champion
I'd like to see Nissan take the Pathfinder back to it's roots. Toyota has the 4Runner and that works. The Murano already does the mommymobile duty. Don't really need two in that category even though one is slightly larger than the other. With the Xterra on it's way out, the need for something more athletic (off-road) seems appropriate.
With the demise of the Venza, Toyota will be missing from the 2-row lifestyle crossover slot. The Toyota is too small, IMO, to fill this mid-size 2-row slot.
07-08-16, 07:08 PM
#15
Lexus Champion