Those who happen to be looking for a new sport utility vehicle (SUV) may want to check out Nissan’s new Pathfinder. With the 2013 Pathfinder just being unveiled at Nissan’s North American technical center (suburban Detroit and New York), the company is optimistic the new model will do good in terms of performance in the US Market.
Nissan ranks fifth in the large SUV division as the current leader still is Ford with its Explorer (units sold in 2011 reached 89,891 compared to the Pathfinder’s 17,865). Companies that follow Ford include Toyota (Highlander), Honda (Pilot) and General Motors (Chevrolet Traverse).
As a background, it was in 2005 that the Pathfinder line of Nissan started. This makes it one of the oldest model among the five mass market full-size SUVs that has a three row seating capacity.
The 2013 model’s difference with that of last year includes weight since the new one would be 300 to 500 pounds lighter. This depends however on the course of options consumers would consider. It will also move to a unibody chassis from a body-on-frame chassis (it is actually the last full-size SUV to do such move). Before, SUV’s were built using truck chassis. The shift to a unibody chassis is more logical as it allows better aerodynamics and lighter weight.
The 2013 Pathfinder SUV will utilize a continuous variable transmission system. Its engine on the other hand is a 3.5 liter, six cylinder that gives 260 horsepower.
The front-wheel drive variant of the Pathfinder weighs at 1,882 kgs. while the four wheel drive weighs at 1,946 kgs. Both will have a towing capacity of 2,268 kgs. In terms of fuel efficiency, the FWD offers 20 miles per gallon (mpg) on city driving conditions, 26 mpg on highway driving and 22 mpg combined. As for the 4WD, it offers 19 mpg for city, 25 mpg for highway and 21 mpg combined.
Also, the new SUV has Nissan’s Navigation System, Bluetooth Hands Free phone system, Intelligent Key and 13 speaker Bose Audio System.
Base model of the Pathfinder would retail for over $ 28,000 and is expected to go on sale in United States this fall.
