Never the shy one, the Nissan Pathfinder bounds into 2008 with freshened styling, a subtly but substantially revised cabin, and technology upgrades such as a backup camera and hard-drive music storage.
Built like a truck and unstoppable by most reasonable endeavors (Baja, anyone?) the Pathfinder is a capable mid-size SUV for those who require a genuine truck, compete rather than watch, yet still want some degree of style and comfort during the week.
Thanks to independent rear suspension and large tires, the Pathfinder rides well and the rack-and-pinion steering works precisely and turns tighter than many mid-size sedans. Also, the Pathfinder doesn't require a climb to get into and will fit easily in garages and standard parking spaces.
The cleaner nose job sweeping into the front arches reminds of a Dodge Nitro, but Pathfinder's minimal overhangs, angular edges, semi-concealed rear door handles and vertical hatch maintain its roots as a genuine off-road worthy four-wheel drive.
Despite a V8 underhood there is still sufficient space for do-it-yourself maintenance or quick belt replacement. The Toyota 4Runner is among the few vehicles that can compete with the Pathfinder off road. Others include the Jeep Grand Cherokee and the Land Rover LR3.
Since it's based on a truck and not a minivan, the mid-size Pathfinder won't have the room of the minivan. But inch-by-inch it's an efficient layout.
Stolen right from the Titan and Armada, the 5.6-liter V8 purrs quietly in the background until the reins are let go and all 310 hp and 388 pound-feet of torque come on line. These numbers obliterate most in the mid-size frame-and-body SUV class and any with IRS, and with the five-speed automatic ideally matched the Pathfinder goes quickly, right now. Of course there is a penalty with EPA numbers of 12/18 mpg City/Highway for a 4WD V8, but those use the new-for-2008 methodology and our example bettered 17 mpg in mixed use. For a 5,000-pound four-wheel-drive, that's quite competitive.
The 2008 Nissan Pathfinder builds on a good thing, bringing more amenities, cleaner style inside and out, and offers a testosterone-laden V8 for power freaks and routine trailer pullers.