Awards & Reviews

Pathfinder's VQ Engine Receives 2007 Ward's 10 Best Engines Award
In the words of the writers and editors of Ward's, the "sublime 3.5L 'VQ' V-6 needs no introduction, being that it's won a 10 Best Engines award each and every year since the competition's inception in 1995. That the VQ has cemented itself as the dominant V-6 benchmark is without question…."

2008 Pathfinder Received Highest Side Impact Safety Rating
The Pathfinder has received the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA's) rating - 5 stars - for side-impact crash safety.

Nissan Pathfinder - What the Auto Press Says

The Pathfinder delivers spacious seating for seven, a versatile interior, and above-average off-roading capabilities, but can't match the on-pavement handling and interior refinement of others in its class. Consequently, it ranks near the middle of its segment.

First introduced in 1986, the Nissan Pathfinder was last redesigned in 2005. The 2008 model adds an optional V8 engine and features a mildly restyled interior and exterior. Auto reviewers see the SUV as a spacious seven-seat family mover and a functional off-roader. "Overall, it's a durable, rugged vehicle, and if you're prepared to deal with something a little more rough and tumble, the Pathfinder is excellent at being a classic SUV," says Automobile.com.

The 2008 Nissan Pathfinder is available in six trims: the base S, the SE V6, the SE V8, the SE Off Road, the LE V6 and the LE V8.

• "All the elements are there: A robust powertrain, with the proper choices of 4X4 mechanicals. Fresh and eye-pleasing styling. Accommodating interior. And some nice-to-have amenities." -- New Car Test Drive

• "The 2008 Nissan Pathfinder plays the role of a tough, rugged cowboy ready for the range. Yet, when negotiating city streets, the Pathfinder is a tame tiger offering many amenities to please the in-town crowd." -- DogCars.com

Pros

With a sturdy fully boxed frame and four-wheel drive, combined with a four-wheel independent suspension, the 2008 Nissan Pathfinder's offers a good combination of serious towing, hauling, and off-roading ability with a good ride on-road. And now that it gets the same big V8 as the larger Armada, the mid-size Pathfinder becomes both quicker and more able, with towing capacity now up to 7,000 pounds.

Model Highlights

The 2008 Nissan Pathfinder is offered in S, SE, and LE variants, and each are available with either rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive. SE and LE models come with a choice of a 4.0L V6 engine rated at 266 horsepower and 288 pound-feet of torque, or a 5.6L V8 making 300 horsepower and 380 lb-ft of torque. The so-called Endurance V8 is new to the Pathfinder for 2008 and has an aluminum block with cast-iron liners, molybdenum-coated pistons, a forged steel crankshaft, and heavy-duty cooling system for durability. Both engines are mated to a five-speed automatic transmission, but the available 4WD systems are quite different depending on the engine. The V8 comes with a full-time All-Mode four-wheel drive system that can send up to 50 percent 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. On the special SE-V6 4WD model, there are several additional off-road-focused features, including a limited-slip system, hill descent control for descending steep, slippery slopes, and hill start assist, which allows a smoother launch on steep inclines when off-roading. The model also includes Bilstein performance shocks, plus additional skid plates. 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. Standout optional features include dual-zone automatic climate control, rear air conditioning, power-adjustable pedals, woodgrain trim, a DVD entertainment system, Bluetooth hands-free system, and a navigation system with Music Box, which has a 9.3-gigabyte hard drive for storing MP3s. All Pathfinders include rack-and-pinion power steering with speed-sensitive power assist, plus four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD). Electronic stability control is also standard, while side-impact air bags for front-seat occupants and side-curtain air bags for outboard occupants in all three rows are optional.

Model News

A V8 engine is available in the Nissan Pathfinder for the first time for 2008; the existing V6 is still available, too, and both engines can be equipped with rear- or four-wheel drive. The Pathfinder also gets a new look in front and in back, and new wheel designs and two new exterior colors-White Frost and Mocha-join the lineup along with one new interior color, Russet. Inside, there's a redesigned center-console area, a restyled instrument panel, a new reclining second-row seat, and illuminated switchgear. The Intelligent Key entry system, a navigation system with Music Box hard-drive system, and a heated steering wheel are among the new options.

Value Writeup

Roomy interior; off-road and towing ability; new V8 power