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Nissan Pathfinder

Nissan

Nissan Pathfinder: From rugged body-on-frame SUV to modern three-row family hauler.
Photo: DestinationFearFan / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0

From rugged body-on-frame SUV to modern three-row family hauler.

The Nissan Pathfinder is a mid-size SUV that has evolved from a rugged, body-on-frame off-roader into a comfortable three-row family crossover. Early Pathfinders were genuine trucks with serious off-road capability, while later generations moved to unibody construction for better on-road comfort and space. The current Pathfinder returned to a more rugged look and a conventional automatic (after a CVT era), offering V6 power and seven-seat practicality. It competes with the Toyota Highlander and Honda Pilot. On WhipJury, Pathfinder submissions span classic body-on-frame trucks and modern family haulers.

Pathfinder highlights

Early generations. Body-on-frame, genuinely capable off-road SUVs.

Modern. Unibody three-row crossover, V6 power, seven seats.

Pathfinder on WhipJury

Classic body-on-frame trucks and modern family haulers both appear.

Frequently asked questions about Nissan Pathfinder

Is the Pathfinder body-on-frame?
Early Pathfinders were body-on-frame and genuinely capable off-road. Modern Pathfinders are unibody crossovers focused on family comfort and space.
How many seats does the Pathfinder have?
The modern Pathfinder seats up to seven across three rows, making it a family SUV.
Is the Pathfinder reliable?
It varies. Classic body-on-frame V6 trucks are durable; the CVT-era models had transmission concerns, and the current car returned to a conventional automatic.
Is the Pathfinder related to the QX60?
Yes, the Infiniti QX60 shares its platform and much of its hardware with the Pathfinder in a more luxurious package.
What does the Pathfinder compete with?
The Toyota Highlander, Honda Pilot, and similar three-row mid-size family SUVs.

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