By Asian Journal Auto Editor
The immensely popular 2019 seven-passenger Nissan Pathfinder SUV has undergone a number of changes since its introduction, consistently becoming more luxurious, feature laden, and more powerful in size with each generation. The 2019 Pathfinder continues with a refashioned exterior, revised suspension, new safety and technology systems. The Pathfinder is powered by a new 3.5 litre V6 with direct injection, with a twenty percent horsepower increase to 284 horsepower, while the transmission is an updated Xtronic CVT (Continuously variable transmission.) unit. The 2019 Pathfinder is offered in 2-wheel drive and 4-wheel drive configurations and a choice of four well-equipped grade levels: S, SV Tech, SL Premium and Platinum.
The Pathfinder lineup starts at $32,998 for the S version. There are six models in the Pathfinder. We tested the new 2019 Pathfinder Rock Creek Edition, offering unique exterior and interior treatments. With a starting MSRP of $41,598 for the Pathfinder SV Rock Creek Edition, All-wheel drive is standard and a choice of four exterior colours is available, including the all-new Midnight Pine – unique to Rock Creek Edition. The Pathfinder SL Rock Creek Edition has an MSRP of $47,333. With features such as: Intelligent Cruise Control, Blind Spot Warning, remote engine starter, navigation and much more. The 2019 Rock Creek Edition offers unique dark 18-inch wheels with 255/60R18 all-season tires, black mesh grille, black roof rails and crossbars, black door handles and outside rearview mirrors, unique lower front fascia, with black front and rear bumper accents, black rear license plate finisher, black molded overfenders and 4WD badges and unique badging on the front doors.
Interior – wise the Pathfinder offers a roomy, well-appointed cabin with third row seating and a premium look and feel. Interior features on the Rock Creek Edition include unique two-tone seating surfaces and badging, high contrast stitching on seats, door, console lid and steering wheel, all-season rubber floor mats and premium metallic interior trim. There is a new higher resolution eight-inch colour touch screen with swipe, pinch and zoom controls and a new more user friendly GUI. The Pathfinder includes comfortable seating for seven and features Nissan’s innovative EZ Flex Seating System with Latch and Glide, a 2nd row tilt and glide seat that allows easy 3rd row access with a child safety seat still installed4. Also available is Intelligent Around View Monitor (I-AVM), Bose 3, 13 speaker premium audio system, Dual Panorama Moonroof, Motion-Activated liftgate with liftgate position memory and NissanConnect with Navigation and Services.
On the safety front all 2019 Pathfinder models also include standard Intelligent Emergency Braking (IEB) and Nissan’s innovative Rear Door Alert5 (RDA) system, which debuted on the 2018 Pathfinder and help remind owners of items that may be forgotten in the rear seat. The Rock Creek Edition also features a trailer tow hitch and harness allowing a best-in-class standard 6,000-pound towing capability2 – allowing for the towing of two-axle recreational trailers, for boat trailers, flatbeds or campers. Good news. The Pathfinder is now rated to haul an impressive 6,000 pounds – when properly equipped. The highest tow rating in this sector.
On the road, the Pathfinder’s increase in horsepower is well felt with more off the line acceleration and passing power when fully laden overall, the new Pathfinder offers a firmer, more stable ride with improved steering. Nissan’s third generation Xtronic continuously variable transmission, includes D-Step Logic Control technology that provides a smoother acceleration. The Pathfinders ride is composed and comfortable, with decent enough feel, although it errs a bit on the soft side for what would be considered sporty. It is super easy to park thanks to the clever around view monitor. New advanced driver assistance technology includes forward emergency braking, “intelligent” cruise control and Around View monitor with moving object detection. The 4×4 system also has an auto mode splits torque between the front and rear wheels as needed. Traction proved to be excellent in some slippery rain sodden roads we encountered during our test drive. Fuel economy for the Pathfinder is rated at 11.6/8.5 City/Hwy L/100 km. Also new is the advanced driver assistance technology that Nissan does so well. There is: forward emergency braking, “intelligent” cruise control and an Around View monitor with moving object detection. Not a lot to complain about with the Pathfinder. It does its job as a supremely comfortable, high quality family SUV extremely well. The new upgraded Rock Creek edition only makes the Pathfinder an even better buy. Highly recommended.
2019 Nissan Pathfinder SL Priced from: $45,395 plus options. Pathfinder Rock Creek Edition version as tested: Priced at $49,128 including freight and PDE.
