Over the years, I've come to realize I'm not an SUV-loving kind of girl; in fact, I'd rather try and cram a weekend's worth of camping gear into a convertible than load up a roomy SUV for the journey. I have nothing against them, they just aren't my cup of tea. Although I do feel a certain unnatural affection for a particular British brand that's oh-so regal...
But that's not what we're here to talk about today. My latest tester was a brand-new 2011 Nissan Pathfinder LE. First impressions? A very masculine SUV. Neighbours and family members commented on the Nissan's modern look and most were shocked to find out it was actually a Nissan when they asked what it could possibly be.
Looking at last year's model, not much has changed as far as exterior bits and pieces. The front grille is a bit more refined and concise, while the large wheel fenders give the Pathfinder a brutish stance. With a boxy backend, the Nissan Pathfinder is different in a sense that it's not following the masses looking to emulate spaceships and almonds. It's a boxy SUV, and proud of it.
Step inside the Pathfinder and the masculine cues and design elements continue. Everything in this SUV is big and spaced out. From the seats to the knobs on the middle console (which are annoyingly far away from the driver for track changes and channel seeking), it's all very truckish. And that's fine for what the Pathfinder is. It's not meant to be a dainty vehicle.
My particular tester was outfitted with a $2,800 Navigation package as well as a $2,000 DVD Entertainment system that added a screen up front and a 7” fold-down colour monitor complete with wireless headphones for the kiddies (or obnoxious friends you wish to keep quiet and distracted for the ride) in the back.
Without said packages, the Nissan Pathfinder is pretty bare-minimum inside. Standard features include leather seating, heated front seats, heated steering wheel and standard third-row seating. And again, I like to think that's just fine for what this vehicle is meant to be. It's a 7-seater people carrier that's manlier than a minivan and roomier than a wagon. I get that.
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| Looking at last year's model, not much has changed as far as exterior bits and pieces. (Photo: Matthieu Lambert/Auto123.com) |
But that's not what we're here to talk about today. My latest tester was a brand-new 2011 Nissan Pathfinder LE. First impressions? A very masculine SUV. Neighbours and family members commented on the Nissan's modern look and most were shocked to find out it was actually a Nissan when they asked what it could possibly be.
Looking at last year's model, not much has changed as far as exterior bits and pieces. The front grille is a bit more refined and concise, while the large wheel fenders give the Pathfinder a brutish stance. With a boxy backend, the Nissan Pathfinder is different in a sense that it's not following the masses looking to emulate spaceships and almonds. It's a boxy SUV, and proud of it.
Step inside the Pathfinder and the masculine cues and design elements continue. Everything in this SUV is big and spaced out. From the seats to the knobs on the middle console (which are annoyingly far away from the driver for track changes and channel seeking), it's all very truckish. And that's fine for what the Pathfinder is. It's not meant to be a dainty vehicle.
My particular tester was outfitted with a $2,800 Navigation package as well as a $2,000 DVD Entertainment system that added a screen up front and a 7” fold-down colour monitor complete with wireless headphones for the kiddies (or obnoxious friends you wish to keep quiet and distracted for the ride) in the back.
Without said packages, the Nissan Pathfinder is pretty bare-minimum inside. Standard features include leather seating, heated front seats, heated steering wheel and standard third-row seating. And again, I like to think that's just fine for what this vehicle is meant to be. It's a 7-seater people carrier that's manlier than a minivan and roomier than a wagon. I get that.
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| From the seats to the knobs on the middle console, it's all very truckish. (Photo: Matthieu Lambert/Auto123.com) |