2014 Nissan Pathfinder Expert Review
Reviewed by Austin Lott
New for 2014
After being redesigned for the 2013 model year, Nissan introduces the first-ever Pathfinder Hybrid, which pairs a supercharged I-4 with an electric motor for an EPA-estimated 25/28 mpg city/highway. In addition to the new hybrid model, a new SL tech package includes a Bose sound system, navigation, voice recognition, and an 8-inch color display.
Vehicle Overview
The Pathfinder is Nissan's seven-passenger crossover, which sits above the five-passenger Rogue and below the seven-passenger Quest minivan. The Pathfinder provides a stylish alternative for buyers who need to move people but don't want to drive a minivan, and it's available in a hybrid trim.
Summary
The 2014 Nissan Pathfinder is powered by a 3.5-liter V-6 that makes 260 hp and 240 lb-ft of torque that connects a CVT to power just the front or all four wheels. FWD models get an EPA-estimated 20/26 mpg city/highway, with a one-mpg penalty for AWD models. The hybrid Pathfinder combines a supercharged 2.5-liter I-4 with an electric motor for a net 250 hp, for an EPA-estimated 25/28 mpg, with a one-mpg penalty on the highway for AWD. The Pathfinder has a sliding second row, making entry and exit easier as well as making it possible to adjust legroom for both rows. The Pathfinder also boasts a 5,000-pound towing capacity on the regular model and up to 3,500 pounds on the hybrid.
During crash testing the 2014 Nissan Pathfinder earned a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA (out of a possible five stars), and in IIHS testing it received two ratings of good (the highest possible rating is good). Nissan also includes their Around View system, which displays a panoramic view around the entire vehicle, thanks to cameras on the front, rear, and sides of the Pathfinder.
What We Think
We had a 2013 Nissan Pathfinder Platinum as a long-term tester, which we lived with for a year. Some thoughts:
