The long-running Nissan Pathfinder was one of the pioneers of the SUV market. Nissan has reinvented the Pathfinder for the 2013 model year. Like all but the largest SUVs, the Pathfinder is now a FWD-biased crossover with a unibody chassis. With three full-rows of seating the fourth generation Pathfinder is longer and wider than ever before. Compared to similar vehicles, the Pathfinder is smaller than the Chevrolet Traverse, larger than the Honda Pilot and very similar in size to the Ford Explorer. Nissan's 3.5l V6 and CVT transmission are standard on all models. Although the Pathfinder has less power than competitive vehicles, fuel economy is near the top of the class. Nissan offers the Pathfinder in a range of trim levels ranging from around $30,000 to just over $40,000.

What Changed:

The long-running Nissan Pathfinder switches from a RWD/4WD body-on-frame chassis to a FWD/AWD unibody chassis, losing its traditionally angular styling in the process. With three full-rows of seating the fourth generation Pathfinder is longer and wider than before. Although the new model is shorter in height, passenger volume and leg room substantially increase. Nissan's ubiquitous 3.5l V6 engine replaces the 4.0l V6 and 5.6l V8 engines in the prior model. A CVT transmission is standard on all models. With a dramatically lower curb weight and a more fuel efficient engine and transmission, fuel economy improves by 4-7 MPG depending on the model.