2013-2021 Nissan Pathfinder : What You Should Know Before You Buy
In partnership with Otogo.ca
The all-new 2022 Nissan Pathfinder has been on the market for a few months, and is a big leap forward in comparison to the outgoing generation. But the latter can still be an interesting proposition for drivers seeking a spacious and affordable three-row SUV.
The Pathfinder is on your shopping list? Here’s what you know before buying a 2013-2021 Nissan Pathfinder.
Less Rugged, More Comfortable
The first thing you need to know is that, for this generation, Nissan had decided to axe the body-on-frame structure and go for unibody instead. This means that the Pathfinder lost some off-road abilities, but gained driving comfort and dynamics on the road. It ultimately got more appealing to families spending most of their time in urban areas.
Under the hood, the Pathfinder is powered by a 3.5-litre V6 that produces 260 horsepower and 240 pound-feet of torque channelled through a continuously variable transmission. That specific transmission was tweaked since it was first introduced. It does provide good fuel consumption savings, but this component still has reliability issues. A class-action lawsuit has been launched against Nissan earlier this year, and the 2013-2019 Pathfinder is among the affected vehicles.
Two- or Four-Wheel Drive
Those specific years saw both 2- and 4-wheel drive variants, on top of a hybrid Pathfinder powered by a 2.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. Nissan set it aside after a 2-year period (2014-2015) because of poor sales, so good luck finding one on the used market.
For 2017, Nissan revamped the Pathfinder by giving it a boxier shape and changing close to 20% of its parts. The V6 was bumped to 284 horsepower and its off-road capabilities were enhanced. In addition, its towing capacity was increased from 5,000 pounds to 6,000 pounds – a big plus in comparison to its competitors.
For 2017, Nissan revamped the Pathfinder by giving it a boxier shape and changing close to 20% of its parts. The V6 was bumped to 284 horsepower and its off-road capabilities were enhanced. In addition, its towing capacity was increased from 5,000 pounds to 6,000 pounds – a big plus in comparison to its competitors.
A Few Options
Intelligent emergency braking, user-friendly EZ Flex system for the third-row seats, and the video-audio system option were among the top elements that stood out in terms of equipment. The 2019 model year was also offered in a Rock Creek variant.
If you stumble upon a Platinum version, you’ll benefit from leather upholstery, a panoramic roof, and an assisted tailgate.
The 2013 to 2021 Pathfinder has multiple recalls under its belt, namely affecting the brakes and ABS system. Make sure that all the different fixes have been performed prior to purchasing your vehicle.