Nissan Pathfinder (05 on) - Review

Review by David Ross on
Last Updated: 21 May 2010
Believe it or not, not everyone buys a big 4x4 to climb kerbs at Tesco. Some people actually need a big strong 4x4. The Nissan Pathfinder is made especially for those people. Built on tough unsophisticated ‘ladderframe’ underpinnings the Pathfinder has been designed, developed and built to effortlessly shrug off mighty tow weights and cope well with the slipperiest, stickiest, harshest conditions nature can throw at it. It used to go head-to-head with the likes of Land Rover’s Discovery, but that car is now priced in a class above. Now the Nissan compete with cars like the equally strong Mitsubishi Shogun and brutish Toyota Landcruiser. In 2010 the big Nissan received a more powerful 190bhp 2.5 dCi diesel to help it compete. Despite being 11% more powerful, emissions dropped by 15%. Later on in 2010 a range–topping 231bhp 3.0-litre V6 diesel will be added to the range. Find out if this is enough to give it the Pathfinder an edge over its competition.
3 out of 5

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3 out of 5

Buying new

There are deals to be had with the Pathfinder with discounts starting at around 10% off the retail asking price. Annoyingly, the automatic is only available on the range-topping Tekna.

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3 out of 5

Buying used

There are a decent number of Pathfinders on the second-hand market, although the Navara pick-up, which is built alongside it, is more popular. Avoid the entry-level models and aim for an SE that comes well equipped for the money. The trim levels were changed in 2006 and again in 2009 so do your research to make sure you know what you're looking at. Avoid the 4.0-litre V6. Beginning to appear in greater numbers in the Nissan dealer network. Go for a low mileage seven-seat diesel.

  • Boot/Load Space Nissan Pathfinder (05 on)
  • Interior Nissan Pathfinder (05 on)

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See 103 used Nissan Pathfinders for sale, starting at £8,995

4 out of 5

Selling

The Pathfinder is practical, easy to use and decent off-road - all good selling points Seven-seat versions will sell quicker and be worth significantly more than five-seat models, while - for most buyers - a diesel and automatic gearbox are the ideal combination. The petrol V6 will be far harder work to sell and won't command a premium over the equivalent diesel.