Loosing its path
I have a friend who drives around in a 1994 Pathfinder. Although the truck is getting on in age and rust is slowly taking over the fenders, she still swears by this tank that she purchased used when the truck was only a few months old. In any circle of friends, there will always be someone interested in something that I am testing any given week. This past week, well the 2007 Pathfinder and I had to swing by her home.
Her reaction at seeing the truck was very interesting; she had previously never really paid attention to the new design. At first glance, she recognized the Pathfinder for what it was however she immediately added that it looked buttoned-down or "way more civilised" than her own. As we looked at them almost side by side, she added that hers looked pudgy and adolescent by comparison. She continued by saying that the grown-up 2007 had lost some of its initial original Tonka truck appeal.
As luck would have, there was no time for a test drive. The experience was refreshing though as it is always fascinating to hear someone else's opinion. Had she gone for a drive, she would have immediately noticed that the 3rd generation (hers is a first (1987-1995) and the 2nd spanned from 1996 to 2004) has wings when stacked against the old 3.0L V6.
What she missed
The first few times I tested the Pathfinder and Frontier equipped with the 4.0L V6, I was enamoured with its power as well as with its aural symphony. Oddly, this time around I was still impressed by the 4.0L's performance but I quickly got annoyed with its constant grumbling. After a day or so, I found myself wishing for more sound deadening materials as the engine sounded like it was always working hard. What did not impress me was its constant need for fuel.
Through 700 km of driving mixed with an average outside temperature of about -10 Celsius, the Pathfinder consumed a not inconsiderable 18.5L per 100 km. I can only image these numbers dropping to 15-16 litres in more clement conditions. As a side note, if the Pathfinder's 266 hp are not sufficient, Nissan will be dropping the Armada's 5.6L V8 under the hood when the improved 2008 arrives. It will be good for 315 hp and a few more litres of petrol per 100 km...
I have a friend who drives around in a 1994 Pathfinder. Although the truck is getting on in age and rust is slowly taking over the fenders, she still swears by this tank that she purchased used when the truck was only a few months old. In any circle of friends, there will always be someone interested in something that I am testing any given week. This past week, well the 2007 Pathfinder and I had to swing by her home.
 |
| The Pathfinder has grown dramatically since its introduction as a 1987 model. |
Her reaction at seeing the truck was very interesting; she had previously never really paid attention to the new design. At first glance, she recognized the Pathfinder for what it was however she immediately added that it looked buttoned-down or "way more civilised" than her own. As we looked at them almost side by side, she added that hers looked pudgy and adolescent by comparison. She continued by saying that the grown-up 2007 had lost some of its initial original Tonka truck appeal.
As luck would have, there was no time for a test drive. The experience was refreshing though as it is always fascinating to hear someone else's opinion. Had she gone for a drive, she would have immediately noticed that the 3rd generation (hers is a first (1987-1995) and the 2nd spanned from 1996 to 2004) has wings when stacked against the old 3.0L V6.
What she missed
The first few times I tested the Pathfinder and Frontier equipped with the 4.0L V6, I was enamoured with its power as well as with its aural symphony. Oddly, this time around I was still impressed by the 4.0L's performance but I quickly got annoyed with its constant grumbling. After a day or so, I found myself wishing for more sound deadening materials as the engine sounded like it was always working hard. What did not impress me was its constant need for fuel.
 |
| The 4.0L V6 is everything but frugal. |
Through 700 km of driving mixed with an average outside temperature of about -10 Celsius, the Pathfinder consumed a not inconsiderable 18.5L per 100 km. I can only image these numbers dropping to 15-16 litres in more clement conditions. As a side note, if the Pathfinder's 266 hp are not sufficient, Nissan will be dropping the Armada's 5.6L V8 under the hood when the improved 2008 arrives. It will be good for 315 hp and a few more litres of petrol per 100 km...