Strengths

Well appointed, roomy interior; off-road and towing ability; V8 power.

 

Changes

For 2010, Nissan's popular Pathfinder SUV receives mostly superficial changes. A moonroof is now standard on the LE V6, while navigation is now standard on the LE V8. A new LE V8 Value Package features a DVD player, 7-inch color monitor for rear passengers and a moonroof. A new SE Premium Journey Package includes 17-inch machined aluminum-alloy wheels, a rear view Monitor, roof rack crossbars, a 10-speaker Bose stereo system, XM satellite radio capability, Bluetooth and Intelligent Key. Dark Slate has been added as a new exterior color and the SE V6 Off Road model has been dropped.

 

Value

With a sturdy, fully boxed frame and 4-wheel drive, combined with a 4-wheel independent suspension, the 2010 Nissan Pathfinder offers a good combination of serious towing, hauling and off-roading ability while providing a competent and comfortable ride on-road. And with the same big V8 as the full-size Armada, the mid-size Pathfinder becomes both quicker and more capable, with towing capacity now up to 7,000 pounds.

 

Overview

The 2010 Nissan Pathfinder is offered in S, SE and LE variants, and each are available with either rear-wheel or 4-wheel drive. SE and LE models come with either a 4.0L V6 engine rated at 266 hp and 288 ft-lb of torque, or a 5.6L V8 making 300 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque.

Both engines are mated to a 5-speed automatic transmission, but the available 4-wheel-drive systems are quite different depending on the engine. The V8 comes with a full-time All-Mode 4WD system that can send up to 50% of engine torque to the front wheels on demand, while V6 models come with a part-time 4WD system that is more off-road oriented, with a separate low range and, on LE models, an electronically controlled transfer case.

The Pathfinder has a roomy interior with three rows of seating for up to seven. The third row folds flat to easily expand the cargo floor, the second row is split 40/20/40 and also folds forward and the front passenger seat also folds forward on most models for especially long items.

The base model S comes standard with the V6 engine and 5-speed automatic transmission. Also standard on the S model are 5-spoke 16-inch alloy wheels, remote keyless entry, steering wheel-mounted cruise and audio controls and power windows and locks.

The mid-level SE adds 6-spoke 17-inch alloy wheels, 8-way power adjustable driver's seat, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, AM/FM in-dash 6-disc CD player with MP3 capability, dual zone automatic climate control with rear air conditioning and rear controls, variable intermittent speed-sensitive windshield wipers and more.

At the top of the model range is the LE, which has an available V8 engine with 5-speed automatic transmission with manual mode. Standard appointments include 12-spoke machined-finished 18-inch alloy wheels, auto on/off headlamps, body colored side moldings with chrome inserts, a power moonroof, heated outside mirrors, Nissan "intelligent key" with remote start availability, leather seats, heated front seats and steering wheel and premium Bose audio system with XM satellite radio, 6-disc in-dash CD player with MP3 capability and much more. Navigation is standard on the LE V8.

To increase equipment versatility and advance customization, the Nissan Pathfinder also offers several package options, including a new LE V8 Value Package with a DVD player, 7-inch color monitor for rear passengers and a moonroof. A new SE Premium Journey Package includes 17-inch machined aluminum-alloy wheels, a RearView Monitor, roof rack crossbars, a 10-speaker Bose stereo system, XM satellite radio capability, Bluetooth and Intelligent Key.

All Pathfinders utilize rack-and-pinion power steering with speed-sensitive power assist, plus 4-wheel anti-lock disc brakes with electronic brake-force distribution (EBD). Electronic stability control is also standard. Front passenger airbags, side airbags, and rear and side head airbags are also standard.