Dressed Out 2011 Pathfinder Beefed Up Off Road 2011 Pathfinder
The Car Connection Expert Review
Senior Editor
Jan 24, 2011
Likes
- Real off-road toughness
- Towing/hauling power
- Responsive base V-6 engine
- Tech options include Bluetooth and Music Box
Dislikes
- Potent, choppy ride
- Surprisingly pricey
- Seats experience skimpy
Ownership tip
features & specs
2WD 4-Door V6 LE
2WD iv-Door V6 S
2WD 4-Door V6 SV
The 2011 Nissan Pathfinder is a workhorse SUV that also offers decent condolement and an impressive characteristic set.
While most mid-size sport-utility vehicles have, over the past few years, become softer and machine-based, the 2011 Nissan Pathfinder continues to buck that trend. Amongst rugged poseurs, the Pathfinder sticks it out as a "real" truck, with torso-on-frame construction for those who need traditional truck ruggedness, either for off-roading or heavy towing, only who don't want to skimp too much on comfort.
There'southward nothing groundbreaking about the design of the 2011 Nissan Pathfinder, just about shoppers will observe the look reasonably handsome inside and out. Even though the Pathfinder hasn't seen a completely redesign for many years, the exterior is timeless and straightforward. The single nearly distinctive design particular on the Pathfinder is its rear door handles. And while they might give the Pathfinder the look of a two-door—and be a somewhat reto nod to previous versions of this ute—they're awkwardly out of kids' attain and harder to utilize with easily full.
The standard 266-horsepower, 4.0-liter V-vi provides adequate juice for most types of driving; information technology's quick off the line and only feels somewhat winded at high speed with a full load. It as well gets significantly better fuel economy than the larger V-8, yet all the same offers a tow chapters of up to 6,000 pounds. Opting for the 310-horsepower V-eight ramps up the torque and allows the truck to pull up to 7,000 pounds.
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If yous're willing to overlook its rabid thirst for gasoline (official city ratings come every bit low as 13 mpg), the Pathfinder is a good selection for those who do need to tow oft, or take on rutted back trails on the way to remote work sites. The tough Pathfinder features short overhangs and skilful ground clearance, and its four-wheel-drive arrangement has an electronically controlled transfer case with a dissever low range and auto mode that switches to iv-wheel mode once sideslip occurs. The only issue our editors have found is that the Pathfinder'southward break doesn't take the bicycle articulation needed for more precarious boulder-scrambling—which means your caput will exist tossed from side to side over tough terrain.
Torso-on-frame SUVs are typically not quite as expert for passenger infinite as more modern car-based crossovers or minivans; but overall, the 2011 Pathfinder is quite passenger-friendly. In that location's a flat-fold passenger seat in front, a forty/xx/40-carve up second row, and a 50/50-split tertiary row. The only existent result with the interior is that the seats themselves just aren't as comfortable as they could or should be—they're quite short in front, and skimpy padding all around ways the Pathfinder isn't such a bang-up long-distance choice. As well, the tall step up to get into the Pathfinder might exist challenging for kids, pets, or grandparents. Speaking of kids, the tertiary row is for kids only; it's just besides tight, and hard to become into. The 2011 Nissan Pathfinder is able to consume up a large amount of gear, both on top of and inside the car, thank you to a flat cargo floor, like shooting fish in a barrel-folding seats, and a 200-pound chapters roof rack.
As is the case with about truck-based SUVs, the Pathfinder'due south ride is business firm and a bit choppy, and on rough pavement or tight, twisty roads, it's less settled than modernistic crossover designs. And while the interior is quite hushed from wind and road noise, you hear the engine far too much—even under light acceleration.
New this yr is the Pathfinder SV, which replaces the Pathfinder SE and slots just above the base Pathfinder S. The Pathfinder S comes with an ample but unremarkable list of features, only the new SV adds a lot, including a multi-role display, power driver'south seat, power-adaptable pedals, upgraded seat fabric, illuminated steering-wheel audio controls, rear climate control, fog lamps, running boards, a garage-door opener, and a rear-view monitor. On uplevel models, the Pathfinder gets flashier wheels, heated seats, Bluetooth hands-free, Intelligent Key, XM Satellite Radio, and upgraded Bose audio with ten speakers—and even a heated steering wheel, leather seats, and wood trim on the top LE.
Pleasant but somewhat plain, and manlike all around, the 2011 Nissan Pathfinder follows SUV tradition and eschews any hint of the crossover trend.
At that place'due south nothing groundbreaking about the blueprint of the 2011 Nissan Pathfinder, simply most shoppers will notice the wait reasonably handsome inside and out. Fifty-fifty though the Pathfinder hasn't seen a completely redesign for many years, the exterior is timeless and straightforward.
The single most distinctive blueprint detail on the Pathfinder is its rear door handles. And while they might give the Pathfinder the look of a two-door—and be a somewhat reto nod to previous versions of this ute—they're awkwardly out of kids' achieve and harder to utilize with hands full.
Within, the Pathfinder is strictly business organization. The expect all around is straightforward and upright, and while information technology might exist appreciated for its masculine way, up shut the difficult, drab materials feel a pace backside.
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Strong, torquey engines and serious towing and off-roading ability is the priority here, and the Pathfinder excels.
The 2011 Nissan Pathfinder is bachelor with Five-6 and 5-8 engines, but despite the significant power and torque difference between the ii the driving experience isn't that much dissimilar. The base Pathfinder S comes simply with the Five-6, but sportier SE and LE models are offered with either engine. And throughout the lineup, rear- or all-cycle drive can be had with either.
The standard 266-horsepower, 4.0-liter Five-6 provides acceptable juice for about types of driving; it'due south quick off the line and only feels somewhat winded at loftier speed with a full load. It also gets significantly amend fuel economy than the larger V-eight, notwithstanding all the same offers a tow capacity of up to 6,000 pounds. Opting for the 310-horsepower V-8 ramps upward the torque and allows the truck to pull upward to vii,000 pounds.
If you're willing to overlook its rabid thirst for gasoline (official city ratings come every bit low as 13 mpg), the Pathfinder is a skillful pick for those who practice demand to tow frequently, or take on rutted back trails on the mode to remote piece of work sites. The tough Pathfinder features short overhangs and practiced footing clearance, and its 4-bike-drive organisation has an electronically controlled transfer case with a separate low range and auto mode that switches to four-wheel mode once slip occurs. The simply issue our editors have establish is that the Pathfinder's break doesn't take the wheel articulation needed for more precarious boulder-scrambling—which means your head volition be tossed from side to side over tough terrain.
With all that taken into account, the 2011 Pathfinder is surprisingly deft on the route. Amongst true trucks, the Pathfinder'southward steering is sharp and precise, and while y'all won't desire to push it hard effectually corners or examine its dynamic limits, information technology's quite conviction-inspiring.
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The 2011 Nissan Pathfinder has a roomy interior, merely don't expect soft crossover-wagon levels of smoothness and refinement.
Trunk-on-frame SUVs are typically not quite every bit practiced for passenger infinite every bit more than modern car-based crossovers or minivans; but overall, the 2011 Pathfinder is quite rider-friendly. There's a flat-fold rider seat in front, a 40/twenty/40-split 2nd row, and a 50/fifty-split up third row.
The only real issue with the interior is that the seats themselves but aren't every bit comfy as they could or should exist—they're quite short in front end, and skimpy padding all effectually ways the Pathfinder isn't such a smashing long-distance choice. Besides, the alpine step up to get into the Pathfinder might be challenging for kids, pets, or grandparents. Speaking of kids, the 3rd row is for kids only; it's only too tight, and difficult to become into.
The 2011 Nissan Pathfinder is able to swallow upwardly a large amount of gear, both on top of and inside the car. Both the second and third rows can fold downwardly to the aforementioned level, enabling a long, apartment cargo surface, and by stowing the front passenger seatback forward against the lower cushion, the Pathfinder tin can attain a cargo length of upwards to ten anxiety. At that place'southward a large storage surface area hidden abroad under the second-row seats and a handy small storage area within the backstairs, likewise equally a double glovebox. On the exterior, a 200-pound-chapters roof rack is standard on the Pathfinder and includes a handle to aid when loading.
As is the case with about truck-based SUVs, the Pathfinder's ride is firm and a bit choppy, and on rough pavement or tight, twisty roads, it's less settled than modern crossover designs. And while the interior is quite hushed from air current and road noise, you hear the engine far too much—even nether calorie-free dispatch.
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The 2011 Nissan Pathfinder has a decent fix of condom equipment, just a few of its prophylactic ratings are cause for worry.
Compared to other types of vehicles, SUVs accept long had some of the most complete rosters of safety features—which in role helps ease worry over the greater concerns about rollover.
Electronic stability control is standard in the 2011 Nissan Pathfinder, and side affect and side curtain airbags are standard.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Rubber (IIHS) awards the Nissan Pathfinder a "skillful" rating, the Institute's highest, for frontal offset and side impacts, just the Pathfinder scores a very worrisome 'marginal' in both the seat-based rear-bear on (whiplash) test and its new roof-strength (rollover) test. The Nissan Pathfinder hasn't nonetheless been crash-tested by the federal regime, but in the previous test methods it receiving 4-star ratings for frontal impact and height five-star ratings for side impact. The IIHS also awards the Pathfinder top "good" ratings for frontal and side impact, but "marginal" in rear bear on protection as well equally the new roof-forcefulness protection
In add-on to the Pathfinder's on-road prophylactic features, it includes some off-road ones also. Hill descent control and colina get-go assist help maintain control on steep slopes in the SE Off-Road model.
As is the case for many tall SUVs, visibility tin can be an upshot in the Pathfinder—especially when backing up. Only with 2011, all Pathfinders in a higher place the base Southward now come with a rearview camera organisation.
The 2011 Nissan Pathfinder has a respectable listing of features, though the focused off-road features are gone and the top LE trim can even so push past $45k.
The 2011 Nissan Pathfinder has a stiff characteristic set compared to about other truck-based SUV models. Most tech-savvy shoppers will be happy with what'south within, and Nissan allows even those who desire a focused off-road vehicle quite a level of luxury.
New this year is the Pathfinder SV, which replaces the Pathfinder SE and slots just above the base Pathfinder Due south. The Pathfinder S comes with an ample but unremarkable list of features, simply the new SV adds a lot, including a multi-function display, ability driver's seat, power-adjustable pedals, upgraded seat cloth, illuminated steering-wheel sound controls, rear climate control, fog lamps, running boards, a garage-door opener, and a rear-view monitor.
Above the SV, the Pathfinder Silvery Edition gets dressed up with machine-finished blend wheels, heated outside mirrors, and special badging, plus heated seats, Bluetooth easily-complimentary, Intelligent Fundamental, XM Satellite Radio, and upgraded Bose audio with ten speakers. The LE model is worth checking out if you lot desire a more luxurious driving experience; it offers an optional DVD entertainment system that is not available on any other models, plus leather, a heated steering bike, and wood trim.
Options for all models include a nav system with a nine.3GB Music Box entertainment, DVD amusement, and a power sunroof.
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With urban center fuel economy ratings in the 13 to xv mpg range, this truck has a thirst that might lead some to cross it off their listing.
In means green, the 2011 Nissan Pathfinder seems a lilliputian stuck in the 1990s. With city fuel economy ratings in the 13 to fifteen mpg range, information technology's anything but green. And fuel misers beware, with the V-8 and four-wheel drive, the 13/eighteen mpg ratings experience if anything a little optimistic; Nissan's 5.6-liter 5-8 is a guzzler.
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Source: https://www.thecarconnection.com/overview/nissan_pathfinder_2011
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