Nissan equipped me with a Chilkoot special edition for my test, a model that was reintroduced last year to replace the previous year's Klondike. It offers the top-rated 150-watt Bose audio system with 6CD in-dash player and steering wheel controls, upgraded suede-look interior trim, 8-way adjustable driver's seat and SE style titanium-colored tubular steel step rails. Additional standard equipment includes air conditioning, power windows and door locks with remote keyless entry, cruise control and 16-inch alloy wheels.
You wouldn't think it lacks many creature comforts until you step into an SE, that comes equipped with automatic climate control, a garage-door opener, halogen fog lamps, a power glass sunroof, sport seats and fender flares. The top-line LE adds power heated front seats with memory features, leather seating surfaces throughout, wood-tone trim, a tire monitor system, 17-inch alloy wheels, and replaces the SE's titanium-colored tubular step rails with full-fledged running board, also dark titanium in color.
On the road the Pathfinder hardly feels as dated as its traditional SUV architecture should. Its 250-hp 3.5-litre V6 with 240 lb-ft of torque, standard with the 5-speed manual transmission, is more than adequate. If you opt for the 4-speed automatic, standard on the LE, power is reduced to 240 but all important torque is up to 265 lb-ft.
Its ride is smooth, without much bounce or chop, and it performs emergency lane changes with relative ease. Once I got onto a winding ancillary road its handling shortcomings became a little more apparent. Pronounced body roll during tight 'S' curves and an overabundance of tail lift under heavy braking unsettled its rear wheel traction, producing a fair bit of slip when executing curves. This would most definitely be improved in the LE, due to standard Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC). Still, if driven sensibly it will handle the curves with ease.