The Pathfinder is assembled at Nissan’s manufacturing facility in Smyrna, Tenn. A hidden storage area is located under the second seat. The backside of the third row is finished in hard plastic so it makes a usable cargo floor. Legroom in the third seat is tight and best left to kids. Headrests do not need to be removed to fold either the second- or third-row seats. The front passenger seat also folds for hauling something long.Įach side of the split third row can be folded separately. The 40/20/40 second-row seat has a one-touch release lever for access to the third row. The second- and third-row seats can be folded down into numerous configurations. Two power outlets are located near the console. The center console has handy storage trays for sunglasses and cell phones. The triple-zone automatic climate system has controls for both front seats as well as the rear seat.Ĭup holders are plentiful, and the doors have wide storage bins. The cruise control is operated by fingertip controls on the steering wheel. The test car’s cloth seats were attractive and should be easy to clean. The Pathfinder SE’s cabin is functional but far from plain.
#2006 nissan pathfinder driver#
Hill Start Assist allows the driver to stop on a slope, release the brake pedal and not roll back for up to two seconds. Hill Descent Control slows the vehicle on descents without constant application of the brake pedal.
A Vehicle Dynamic Control, or VDC, system is standard.Īn off-road traction system is standard on the SE Off-Road model. It has an electronically controlled transfer case. Pathfinder’s available advanced All-Mode four-wheel-drive system includes two-wheel, auto and four-wheel modes. Estimated fuel economy is 15 miles per gallon in the city and 21 on the highway. It is tuned for good midrange torque and power. It uses variable valve timing, Teflon-coated pistons, aluminum block and a timing chain, rather than a timing belt, for durability. The engine is derived from the 3.5-liter unit used in the Maxima, Altima, Murano and 350Z. One of the third-generation Pathfinder’s strengths is its 4.0-liter V-6 that has 270 horsepower and 291 pound-feet of torque.
The Off-Road model also has dual-zone automatic temperature control, rear air conditioning and adjustable pedals. The Off-Road model has aluminum-alloy wheels, painted front springs, Rancho performance shocks, unique blue seat fabric, Hill Descent Control and Hill Start Assist, and skid plates to protect the chassis from off-road damage. The test vehicle was an SE Off-Road model, and its base price was $31,300. Base prices start at $25,400 for a two-wheel-drive S and top out at $35,700 for a four-wheel-drive LE. Standard equipment includes three-row seating and an automatic transmission. It can have a solid rear axle for trucks or independent suspension for SUVs.
The fully boxed, all-steel ladder frame comes from Nissan’s F-Alpha truck platform, and it can underpin a variety of vehicle sizes. The Pathfinder, all new last year, is built on the same platform as the Frontier pickup. The Nissan Pathfinder has always had a rugged character, and while the 2006 is quite civilized, it reflects a decision by Nissan to give the Pathfinder enhanced off-road capabilities and a 4.0-liter V-6.