The Nissan Pathfinder Suffers from an Identity Crisis

Is it a car? Is it a truck? Entering the marketplace in 1986 as a midsized SUV, the Nissan Pathfinder has never really found its niche. Originally produced to compete with the Toyota 4Runner with the twenty-something, active male market in mind, this Japanese import is a jack-of-all-trades but master of none, and therein can be found its greatest flaw.

Changes have been many over the years as this reliable vehicle tried to find its place in the automobile world. Originally a two-door vehicle with a smaller engine, it now boasts four doors with a 4.0 Liter V6 standard engine with 270 horsepower. A 5.6 Liter V8 engine is optional, capable of 310 horsepower and both models have a 5-speed automatic transmission. The towing capacity is impressive, capable of pulling 6000 pounds.

Critics will tell you that the rear end seating is limited and tight, the fuel economy is poor (15/21 mpg), and that the Pathfinder has average on-road handling. Set those criticisms aside and you have a vehicle that consistently scores well in performance, driver safety, and customer satisfaction.

To put it simply, this hybrid has never really found its personality. You will find people who love their Pathfinder; you will find people who are satisfied but not excited; you will find people who dream of better things. Thus is the nature of this SUV.

The good news for owners of the Pathfinder is that it has been produced since 1986, there are quite a few on the road, and the Nissan performance parts are plentiful and easy to find. Make no mistake about it, Nissan produces quality vehicles and excellent replacement parts, so if something goes wrong you need only go to your local used auto parts store and the car part you need is easily found.

Your other option, of course, and one many people don’t think of, is to go to your local you pull it salvage yard and find the used Nissan part yourself. Pick-and-Pull junkyards are seemingly everywhere in America today and offer used parts at a fraction of the cost that you would pay at an auto parts store. Give them a call, have them check their computer inventory, go on down to the salvage yard and pull and replace the part yourself. With most of the junkyards in America the parts are guaranteed and warranties given to assure that you are receiving quality for a discounted price.

So if you own a Nissan Pathfinder or you are considering buying one, you can rest assured that you are buying a quality SUV that is reliable and consistently satisfying. It may leave you wanting for something you can’t define or put into words, but it will get you from Point A to Point B time and time again.