New Car Review of the 2005 Nissan Pathfinder Mid-Size Sport Utility Vehicle

Description: Mid-Size Sport Utility Vehicle
Base MSRP Range: $24,650 - $34,750
Invoice Price Range: $23,055 - $32,138
Where built: USA

Nissan's revamped Frontier truck serves as the foundation for a new treatment to Pathfinder, a sport-utility vehicle for the mid-size class constructed at Nissan's manufacturing facility in Smyrna, Tennessee.

The new design for Pathfinder expands the package, particularly for the five-door passenger compartment, which brings additional space to add a standard third-row seat that folds flat. Seatbacks on the second row also fold down, as does the front passenger-side bucket -- adding up to 64 different configurations for seats and cargo space.

Pathfinder's souped up now, thanks to a new aluminum-block 4.0-liter V6 engine producing 270-hp through a 5-speed electronically controlled automatic shifter. It comes with either rear 2WD traction or Nissan's All-Mode automatic 4WD system adding an electronically controlled transfer case for 2WD/Auto/4WD-high/4WD-low modes. A new independent double-wishbone suspension system mounts up front and back for precise wheel control and a smooth ride quality.