2011 Nissan Pathfinder Ti550 Review and Road Test

Nissan has claimed the mid-size SUV high ground in the ‘grunt’ department with its V6 turbo-diesel Pathfinder Ti550. With 550Nm on tap, Nissan says the Nissan Pathfinder Ti550 has 109Nm of extra torque over its nearest rival and up to 200Nm over some other big names.

Priced at $75,990, the V6 turbo-diesel Pathfinder is only sold in the range-topping Ti grade which means it’s fully loaded with a nice leather interior, rear seat DVD entertainment and high-tech goodies like satellite navigation and a reversing camera.

With seven seats and a 3,500kgs towing capacity, the Nissan Pathfinder Ti550 is equipped to take on the best in this complex and growing market segment.

Nissan Pathfinder Overview

Nissan is credited with launching the mid-size SUV craze when the first Pathfinder emerged from Nissan Design International (La Jolla, California) in the 1980s. Originally designed with North America as the prime target, Pathfinder has become a standout model for Nissan worldwide and especially in Australia.
 

In its latest guise, the seven-seat Nissan Pathfinder is one of the larger mid-size SUVs, popular with families, recreational enthusiasts and ‘grey nomads’ who appreciate its handy size (smaller than Nissan Patrol and Toyota LandCruiser), go-anywhere off-road ability and excellent towing credentials.

Car Showroom has just spent a week behind the wheel of the latest addition to the Pathfinder range – the Nissan Pathfinder Ti550 which boasts Nissan’s all-new V6 turbo-diesel engine and a sumptuous leather-clad interior loaded with inclusions like rear seat DVD and standard reversing camera.

Nissan has certainly ticked all the boxes for Nissan Pathfinder Ti550’s target buyers.

Nissan Pathfinder Engine

Nissan’s thumping 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel is exclusive to the Pathfinder Ti550 and Navara ST-X550 ute.

The direct-injection turbocharged V6 is Euro5-compliant for emissions and combined cycle fuel consumption is impressive at 9.5l/100kms.

Maximum power is 170kW at 3750rpm and the massive peak torque of 550Nm is available from as low as 1750rpm. That makes the Nissan Pathfinder Ti550 admirably set-up for towing (capacity 3,500kgs).
 

Developed by the Renault-Nissan alliance, the V6 turbo-diesel in Nissan Pathfinder Ti550 is code-named V9X and it is an unusual 65-degree vee with the single intercooled turbocharged housed between the two cylinder banks.

The block is made from Compact Graphite Iron (CGI) which, while lighter than conventional cast iron, is slightly heavier than aluminium, but doesn’t require stiffening ribs or extra sound deadening material (normally required with alloy blocks).

Bosch common-rail high-pressure direct injection is used with piezo injectors running the mixture at 1800 bar.

Drive is via a seven-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel-drive comes from Nissan’s ALL-MODE system, operated electronically via a console-mounted dial.

Nissan Pathfinder The Interior

Nissan only offers the V6 turbo-diesel Pathfinder in range-topping Ti specification and that means it’s comprehensively equipped inside. Amongst the inclusions are a BOSE nine-speaker audio system with a 9.3GB hard-drive, rear-seat DVD entertainment with individual headphones and an eight-inch screen, reversing camera, satellite navigation with a seven-inch touch screen, sunroof and leather seats.
 

Those leather seats are nicely supportive and electronically adjustable, however the leather-wrapped steering wheel only adjusts for rake. Instrumentation is conventional gauges and the drive computer includes ‘distance to empty’ in the 80-litre fuel tank (we wish all cars had that function).

The second row seats have recline adjustment for extra comfort and tumble-fold for access to the two third row seats. Like all mid-size SUVs, lanky adults wouldn’t appreciate an extended journey in the third row seats however the Car Showroom juniors and their buddies were comfortable in a birthday party trip to the bowling alley (engrossed in a DVD movie at the time).
 

As usual in the Nissan Pathfinder there is an abundance of internal storage boxes including side storage boxes for all three seating rows (a feature appreciated by families).

Nissan Pathfinder Exterior & Styling
Nissan Pathfinder was one of the first designs of Nissan Design International in La Jolla, California back in the 1980s and Jerry Hirshberg (who created the facility just outside San Diego) is a good friend.

And we know the current model is an evolution of previous Nissan Pathfinders and that ultimately styling is a personal taste, but…
 

In our eyes the Nissan Pathfinder is just a bit too boxy and utilitarian. It needs some curves.

We still like the packaging and proportions, however some softness and less straight lines would be nice and much more in keeping with its ‘tweener’ status (smaller than the Nissan Patrol yet larger than the X-TRAIL).

Nissan Pathfinder On The Road

Wow! It’s hard to believe the Nissan Pathfinder Ti550 is a descendent of the original, these-days-underpowered, four-cylinder models which launched the mid-size SUV phenomenon back in the 1980s.

This thing just has so much grunt – and in a market segment where trailer towing is a vital purchase consideration that counts for a lot.

Equally, as vehicles like the Nissan Pathfinder Ti550 are family commuters, refinement is a must and with the quiet operation of the V6, combined with the sumptuously appointed interior, again the Nissan Pathfinder Ti550 scores big points.
 

Sure, around town it’s no shrinking violet (although not as intimidating for female or first-time SUV buyers as Nissan Patrol or Toyota LandCruiser) but Nissan Pathfinder Ti550’s 11.9-metre turning circle and reversing camera with predictive path lines certainly helped negotiate our CBD car park (height is 1,784mm).

Out on the open road, the Nissan Pathfinder Ti550 lopes along with ridiculous ease and quiet as the V6 in seventh gear is almost idling.

Around the twisty stuff, the Nissan Pathfinder Ti550 does remind you of its 2,880kgs weight when asked to turn rapidly (not quite as sharp as Ford’s latest Territory) but it’s no different to Prado or Pajero in that context – a bit of body roll, but nicely weighted and responsive steering. And of course the prodigious torque and response of the V6 is an ally for mid-corner balance and acceleration.

Nissan Pathfinder Challenges

“Big isn’t it?” was the comment we frequently heard during our week with the Nissan Pathfinder Ti550. Fact is the Pathfinder isn’t as dimensionally overpowering as Nissan Patrol and Toyota LandCruiser, but its utilitarian design can be deceiving.
 

We’re not sure when the all-new Pathfinder is due, but when it appears we suspect a major softening/more aerodynamic look will be a feature.

Nissan Pathfinder Verdict

As an all-round package the Nissan Pathfinder Ti550 is very impressive. Of course the 3.0-litre V6 turbo diesel overshadows everything and its performance, plus Pathfinder’s 3,500kgs towing capacity, are music to the ears of those with caravans, horse floats or large boats.

And whether you tow or not, Nissan Pathfinder Ti550’s great looking, leather-trimmed interior, loaded with Bose audio and rear seat DVD system, makes for imposing value-for-money comparisons with rival vehicles.

So if you’re not keen on a full-size SUV like Nissan Patrol or Toyota LandCruiser, the Nissan Pathfinder Ti550 simply must be included in your shopping list.

Nissan Pathfinder The Competition

Toyota’s VX or Kakadu model Prado loom as the most obvious competitors for the Nissan Pathfinder Ti550. You need to carefully compare detailed specifications to determine the relative dollars, but there’s no denying Nissan’s thumping V6 turbo-diesel outguns Toyota’s 3.0-litre, four-cylinder (170kW/550Nm to 127kW/410Nm).
 

Same for Mitsubishi’s Pajero Exceed (3.2-litre, four cylinder turbo-diesel with 147kW/441Nm).

Ford’s Territory Titanium AWD TDCi runs a 2.7-litre V6 turbo diesel with 140kW/445Nm and undercuts the Nissan Pathfinder Ti550 in price, but is a tad smaller in size.

Volkswagen’s Touareg (new models due soon) starts around the same dollars, but the Nissan Pathfinder Ti550’s delivers more luxo kit.