<\/span><\/h2>\nThe Pathfinder is a big, comfy couch of a car. It\u2019s a touch over five metres long, just under two metres wide and roughly 1.8 metres high. <\/p>\n
Based on exterior dimensions alone, the Pathfinder is bigger than the Hyundai Palisade, Kia Sorento and Mazda CX-90, but smaller than the Patrol. <\/p>\n
Boot space on the Pathfinder is also competitive in person, though figures suggest otherwise with 205 litres when all three rows are in place, 554L when the third row is folded, and up to 782L with the second and third rows folded. Nissan appears to side with a different measurement standard compared to rivals. <\/p>\n
In real-world terms that means that even with the third row in play, the Pathfinder offers a solid hatchback-sized boot with enough room for my folding pram (a BabyZen YoYo) to lie flat, alongside some fully packed shopping bags. <\/p>\n
If you fold the third row flat, there\u2019s a roomy wagon-sized boot with enough space to stow long objects in their entirety, or do a really big supermarket shop. <\/p>\n
And if you fold the second and third rows flat, you might even be able to help your mate move house. A power tailgate is standard on the ST-L grade. <\/p>\n
On paper, the Pathfinder\u2019s boot figures are actually smaller than the Toyota Kluger (241L with all the rows, up to 1150L with seats folded), Hyundai Palisade (311L\/1297L) and Mazda CX-90 (257L\/2025L), all based on manufacturer claims, which may vary.<\/p>\n
Still, I was never left wanting for boot space, and the Pathfinder deserves points for squeezing in an extra seat compared to its rivals. <\/p>\n
The Pathfinder\u2019s third row folds in a 60:40 split, is able to recline, and even has ISOFIX tether points and a top tether on one of the outboard seats, meaning the Pathfinder can theoretically accommodate up to four child seats at once, courtesy of four top-tether points and three ISOFIX-equipped seats. <\/p>\n
Getting into the third row is made easy with the Pathfinder\u2019s wide-opening doors and \u2018EZ FLEX\u2019 seating system, which allows you to hit a single button to make the outboard seat fold and glide forward in a single seamless movement. <\/p>\n
Third-row leg room is limited unless you slide the middle row forward and eat into leg room for those occupants, but it\u2019s nice to be able to have the flexibility to fiddle with the proportions.<\/p>\n
On one particularly hilarious outing in the Pathfinder, I had to fit my toddler, husband, mother-in-law and father-in-law into the car for a short trip out to dinner. <\/p>\n
My mother-in-law and I got to enjoy the front seats, which are heated, with power adjustment on the driver\u2019s seat and manual adjustment on the passenger seat, while my husband and toddler were able to fit comfortably in the middle row, and my poor father-in-law drew the short straw and got into the third row. <\/p>\n
My father-in-law had just enough head room but very little leg room, forcing him to sit side-saddle to accommodate his legs. <\/p>\n
Still, with air vents, cupholders and tall windows all the way to the third row, the Pathfinder feels like a comfortable three-row car that works for all occupants without too much compromise. <\/p>\n
Even in its most basic form, the Pathfinder offers a separate strip of climate controls for back seat occupants that allows them to control temperature and fan speed, but can be easily controlled by the driver as well. <\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the front-seat climate controls are super easy to use thanks to sizeable traditional buttons and dials, and easy-to-read displays.<\/p>\n
The middle row also features two cupholders in both doors, which were a game changer for me because my son was able to easily reach his drink bottle, which saved me from having to hand it to him while driving like I normally would. The extra lights above the doors also helped when hunting for toys and snacks stuck down the sides of child seats. <\/p>\n
One of the only giveaways that the ST-L is a base-grade car is that the seats are finished in black cloth rather than leather. I own a car with fabric seats, so this didn\u2019t bother me, but if you want leather-look seats, you\u2019ll have to opt for the Ti grade, which offers blended real and synthetic leather seats. <\/p>\n
By far my favourite feature on the Pathfinder ST-L was its proximity unlock feature. Unlike other cars that require you to touch a door handle with the keys in your pocket to unlock the car, the Pathfinder automatically unlocks itself when you\u2019re within a metre of the vehicle, provided you have the keys on your person. <\/p>\n
Similarly, if you walk away from the car with the keys in your pocket, the car will auto-lock without requiring any physical interaction.<\/p>\n
For someone like me, who so often has her hands full and typically keeps her car keys at the bottom of a fully stocked handbag, this system was a dream. The car somehow knew exactly when I needed it to unlock and lock, and meant that I wasn\u2019t standing on the side of the road or in a busy parking lot scrambling around in my bag.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n| <\/td>\n | 2024 Nissan Pathfinder ST-L<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n| Seats<\/td>\n | Eight<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | \n| Boot volume<\/td>\n | 205L to third row
554L to second row
782L to first row<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | \n| Length<\/td>\n | 5004mm<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | \n| Width<\/td>\n | 1978mm<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | \n| Height<\/td>\n | 1802mm<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | \n| Wheelbase<\/td>\n | 2900mm<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n\n \n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/media.drive.com.au\/obj\/tx_rs:auto:1920:1080:1\/driveau\/upload\/cms\/uploads\/47ada45d-0177-54c5-a53e-035a40a50000\") <\/figure>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/media.drive.com.au\/obj\/tx_rs:auto:1920:1080:1\/driveau\/upload\/cms\/uploads\/f125d001-cde6-51ea-95ef-d86c08950000\") <\/figure>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/media.drive.com.au\/obj\/tx_rs:auto:1920:1080:1\/driveau\/upload\/cms\/uploads\/cdc342a0-3bce-57d1-9299-733584350000\") <\/figure>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/media.drive.com.au\/obj\/tx_rs:auto:1920:1080:1\/driveau\/upload\/cms\/uploads\/6849ba06-bb5f-5d6f-9f88-5ccd42050000\") <\/figure>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/media.drive.com.au\/obj\/tx_rs:auto:1920:1080:1\/driveau\/upload\/cms\/uploads\/13848b49-1aef-57bd-a1de-8e24db950000\") <\/figure>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/media.drive.com.au\/obj\/tx_rs:auto:1920:1080:1\/driveau\/upload\/cms\/uploads\/13e54053-a2b4-507c-af95-3fdb82b50000\") <\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
\n<\/span>Does the Nissan Pathfinder have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto?<\/span><\/h2>\nOnce again, the Pathfinder is well appointed for an entry-level model \u2013 particularly in the infotainment stakes.<\/p>\n The 9.0-inch touchscreen isn’t huge, but in my opinion, it’s all the screen you\u2019ll need and comes standard with satellite navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, voice recognition, digital radio and a six-speaker sound system.<\/p>\n The graphics are basic but effective, and the whole system offers my favourite quality of any infotainment system: simplicity. <\/p>\n The wireless CarPlay worked flawlessly for me, which isn\u2019t always a given with similar wireless systems. It didn\u2019t drop out or lag once like I\u2019ve experienced in cars from other manufacturers. <\/p>\n For me, the only notable omission from the infotainment line-up was a wireless phone charger, which would have paired well with the wireless CarPlay. <\/p>\n Still, you can charge your phone via any one of the four available USB ports in the car \u2013 with a USB-A and USB-C port offered in both the first and second rows. <\/p>\n Meanwhile, a 7.0-inch driver’s display is almost rendered redundant by the impressively large 10.8-inch head-up display, which I relied upon for live speed limit information and a digital speedometer.<\/p>\n Unlike some of its rivals, Nissan is yet to offer app connectivity on its cars, meaning functions like vehicle tracking and remote access aren\u2019t available. <\/p>\n \n \n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/media.drive.com.au\/obj\/tx_rs:auto:1920:1080:1\/driveau\/upload\/cms\/uploads\/45fafe47-2a76-5dd0-bf55-8b7a47350000\") <\/figure>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/media.drive.com.au\/obj\/tx_rs:auto:1920:1080:1\/driveau\/upload\/cms\/uploads\/703a3d29-be83-5f5d-8ee9-bcdd80b50000\") <\/figure>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/media.drive.com.au\/obj\/tx_rs:auto:1920:1080:1\/driveau\/upload\/cms\/uploads\/d3432e23-d785-56de-8e7f-05c198450000\") <\/figure>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/media.drive.com.au\/obj\/tx_rs:auto:1920:1080:1\/driveau\/upload\/cms\/uploads\/4555946f-0485-5228-859d-2adad2f50000\") <\/figure>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/media.drive.com.au\/obj\/tx_rs:auto:1920:1080:1\/driveau\/upload\/cms\/uploads\/917c0d9e-9ffb-58ac-a53a-f447b5850000\") <\/figure>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/media.drive.com.au\/obj\/tx_rs:auto:1920:1080:1\/driveau\/upload\/cms\/uploads\/1e17673b-e6b9-589c-9289-b93c5cd50000\") <\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
\n<\/span>Is the Nissan Pathfinder a safe car?<\/span><\/h2>\nThe Nissan Pathfinder received a five-star safety rating from the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) when it was tested in 2022. This rating is valid across all Pathfinder variants until December 2028. <\/p>\n The Pathfinder received an 86 per cent score for its ability to protect adult occupants, 78 per cent for its protection of vulnerable road users like pedestrians and cyclists, and an 85 per cent score for its safety assist technology, like autonomous emergency braking, seatbelt reminders and lane-keeping support. <\/p>\n Importantly for family buyers, the Pathfinder scored highest for its ability to protect child occupants, rated at 93 per cent thanks to its inclusion of multiple child restraint systems and airbags all the way to the third row. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n| <\/td>\n | 2024 Nissan Pathfinder ST-L<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n| ANCAP rating<\/td>\n | Five stars (tested 2022)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | \n| Safety report<\/td>\n | Link to ANCAP report<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n
\n<\/span>What safety technology does the Nissan Pathfinder have?<\/span><\/h2>\nIn good news, regardless of which Pathfinder variant you buy, you\u2019ll receive the full buffet of Nissan active safety features \u2013 even the more advanced ones.<\/p>\n The list of standard safety features offered on the ST-L is extensive and includes a forward collision warning with junction assist, emergency braking, a driver attention alert, active blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning and lane-keep, rear cross-traffic alert, intelligent cruise control, and traffic sign recognition.<\/p>\n Particular highlights include the digital around-view monitor, which offers a bird\u2019s-eye view of the car in addition to a reverse camera, meaning what is a pretty large car is surprisingly easy to park.<\/p>\n Bonus points are to be awarded, too, for the very accurate front and rear parking sensors. <\/p>\n Nissan\u2019s \u2018ProPilot\u2019 semi-autonomous driving system is fantastic. Once engaged, it basically does the heavy lifting of freeway driving, from braking and accelerating, to keeping you in your lane, and maintaining a set speed \u2013 basically like advanced cruise control.<\/p>\n I also appreciated the interplay between ProPilot and the traffic sign recognition system, which will prompt you to lower the set speed on your cruise control the second it detects a change in speed limit. <\/p>\n The lane-keep system can be assertive, aggressively tugging you back into your lane the second you veer slightly to the side, but I didn\u2019t find it to be bothersome and appreciated the backup. <\/p>\n The live speed limit information is also eminently visible in the giant head-up display, leaving you no excuse for missing a school zone. <\/p>\n Nine airbags are standard on the Pathfinder range, with curtain airbag coverage all the way to the third row.<\/p>\n \n \n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/media.drive.com.au\/obj\/tx_rs:auto:1920:1080:1\/driveau\/upload\/cms\/uploads\/0d089862-0438-5d86-9e83-c0b1dab50000\") <\/figure>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/media.drive.com.au\/obj\/tx_rs:auto:1920:1080:1\/driveau\/upload\/cms\/uploads\/79fa3bf5-05e2-5884-8c16-09dd5e250000\") <\/figure>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/media.drive.com.au\/obj\/tx_rs:auto:1920:1080:1\/driveau\/upload\/cms\/uploads\/1f2c1c12-bf66-5f7f-8a1f-e3b5c9650000\") <\/figure>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/media.drive.com.au\/obj\/tx_rs:auto:1920:1080:1\/driveau\/upload\/cms\/uploads\/de989584-a9d3-5c0f-ae35-6f8b40f50000\") <\/figure>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/media.drive.com.au\/obj\/tx_rs:auto:1920:1080:1\/driveau\/upload\/cms\/uploads\/93e674ff-01f5-541a-83b8-b82e84950000\") <\/figure>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/media.drive.com.au\/obj\/tx_rs:auto:1920:1080:1\/driveau\/upload\/cms\/uploads\/7eedc977-d38c-5f56-936a-c230ac850000\") <\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n| Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB)<\/td>\n | Yes <\/td>\n | Includes cyclist, pedestrian and junction awareness<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | \n| Adaptive Cruise Control<\/td>\n | Yes <\/td>\n | Includes traffic jam assist<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | \n| Blind Spot Alert<\/td>\n | Yes<\/td>\n | Alert and assist functions<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | \n| Rear Cross-Traffic Alert<\/td>\n | Yes<\/td>\n | Alert and assist functions<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | \n| Lane Assistance<\/td>\n | Yes<\/td>\n | Lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, lane-centring assist<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | \n| Road Sign Recognition<\/td>\n | Yes<\/td>\n | Includes active speed limit assist<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | \n| Driver Attention Warning<\/td>\n | Yes<\/td>\n | Driver fatigue monitoring<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | \n| Cameras & Sensors<\/td>\n | Yes<\/td>\n | Front and rear sensors, 360-degree camera<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n<\/span>How much does the Nissan Pathfinder cost to run?<\/span><\/h2>\nServicing the all-wheel-drive Pathfinder variants can be a couple of hundred dollars more expensive than servicing front-wheel-drive versions, depending on the interval. <\/p>\n Nissan offers owners the choice of capped-price servicing for six years or prepaid servicing for five years, the latter of which offers additional savings if you\u2019re happy to pay upfront. <\/p>\n Your car will require a service every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first. Each service visit ranges in price from $352 for the most affordable initial visit, up to $1635 for the sixth visit. <\/p>\n If you opt for prepaid servicing, you\u2019ll pay $2333 over five years, while capped-price servicing will cost $2592 over five years, representing total savings of 10 per cent if you choose the prepaid plan. <\/p>\n While it can\u2019t compete with the comically affordable Toyota Kluger \u2013 which costs just $1325 to service over five years \u2013 the Pathfinder\u2019s service costs are comparable to the Kia Sorento ($2575 over five years) and Hyundai Palisade ($2445 for five years, prepaid), and cheaper than the Mazda CX-90 ($3469 over five years). <\/p>\n Nissan\u2019s warranty covers the Pathfinder for five years and an unlimited number of kilometres, with five years of 24-hour roadside assistance thrown in for good measure.<\/p>\n Comprehensive insurance for the Nissan Pathfinder ST-L AWD will cost you roughly $1933 per year, based on a comparative quote for a 35-year-old male driver living in Chatswood, NSW. Insurance estimates may vary based on your location, driving history, and personal circumstances.<\/p>\n The same coverage under the same conditions for the Hyundai Palisade will cost $2151, while the Kia Sorento will cost $1698 to insure annually. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\nAt a glance<\/strong><\/td>\n2024 Nissan Pathfinder ST-L<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n| Warranty<\/td>\n | Five years, unlimited km<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | \n| Service intervals<\/td>\n | 12 months or 15,000km<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | \n| Servicing costs<\/td>\n | $1439 (3 years)
$2592 (5 years)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n
\n<\/span>Is the Nissan Pathfinder fuel-efficient? <\/span><\/h2>\nThe Nissan Pathfinder has a whopping great 71-litre fuel tank which, mercifully, only requires 91 regular unleaded. <\/p>\n It\u2019s a good thing too, because the Pathfinder is not a frugal car when it comes to fuel.<\/p>\n Nissan quotes a combined fuel consumption figure of 10.5L\/100km for the all-wheel drive, or 14.7L\/100km for just city driving.<\/p>\n As always, my driving was mostly around town, with a couple of longer freeway drives. <\/p>\n I\u2019ll start with the good news first: on the freeway, the Pathfinder comes close to equalling \u2013 and even besting \u2013 its 10.5L\/100km claim. The lowest figure I saw was 8.2L\/100km after a trip out past the airport.<\/p>\n Now for the bad news: if you\u2019re a city dweller like me, you\u2019ll be spending a fair bit of time at the petrol station if you purchase a Pathfinder. <\/p>\n My final fuel consumption figure clocked in at a whopping 18.1L\/100km after a couple of particularly bad days of stop-start traffic, but I typically sat around 15\u201316L\/100km for the majority of my week with the car. <\/p>\n To be fair, I\u2019ve never been the most economical driver, but I\u2019d imagine a lot of other potential Pathfinder owners are going to be doing the school run at peak hour. <\/p>\n For reference, previous reviews of the Pathfinder have seen fuel readings of 10.5L\/100km, 11.5L\/100km and 9.5L\/100km \u2013 but all of these reviews featured far more freeway driving than my week with the car. <\/p>\n It\u2019s a big car with a V6 engine, so a double-digit fuel reading isn\u2019t totally out of the question, but the Pathfinder could certainly benefit from some hybrid assistance, or at the very least an idle-stop system (which isn\u2019t offered at all). <\/p>\n If Nissan decided to apply its e-Power tech to the Pathfinder, that would be a smart move, given Kia, Hyundai and Toyota are all transitioning to hybrid powertrains on large SUVs like the Sorento, Santa Fe, and Kluger. <\/p>\n It also wouldn\u2019t be unheard of, given Nissan previously offered a hybrid powertrain on the Pathfinder back in 2014. <\/p>\n Given most families are already feeling the cost-of-living crunch and are equally concerned with keeping their emissions down to protect the planet their kids will inherit, a hybrid Pathfinder seems like a no-brainer to me. <\/p>\n \n \n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/media.drive.com.au\/obj\/tx_rs:auto:1920:1080:1\/driveau\/upload\/cms\/uploads\/214b2190-4e18-5be5-9306-b8fccd650000\") <\/figure>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/media.drive.com.au\/obj\/tx_rs:auto:1920:1080:1\/driveau\/upload\/cms\/uploads\/9dfe4cf2-2726-525b-8ede-c54433b50000\") <\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n \n \n\n\n\nFuel efficiency<\/strong><\/td>\n2024 Nissan Pathfinder ST-L<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n| Fuel cons. (claimed)<\/td>\n | 10.5L\/100km<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | \n| Fuel cons. (on test)<\/td>\n | 18.1L\/100km<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | \n| Fuel type<\/td>\n | 91-octane unleaded<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | \n| Fuel tank size<\/td>\n | 71L<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n<\/span>What is the Nissan Pathfinder like to drive?<\/span><\/h2>\nThe Nissan Pathfinder is surprisingly easy to drive for such a large car.<\/p>\n All-round visibility is good, but obviously becomes a bit compromised if you\u2019ve got third-row occupants. Even with the third row empty, the sizeable headrests can eat into your view. <\/p>\n Being so high up is always a help, and the driver positioning and ground clearance on the Pathfinder meant I was confident mounting kerbs and relaxed about parking in tight spots. <\/p>\n Refinement is great, with minimal engine and tyre noise reaching the cabin and the car feels solid, impenetrable from outside aggravations like wind noise or other drivers\u2019 sound systems. <\/p>\n The 18-inch wheels offered on the Pathfinder ST-L do a good job of absorbing shocks and bumps and giving you the sense you can truly tackle anything. <\/p>\n I didn\u2019t put the all-wheel-drive system to the test on anything other than paved roads, but in some particularly unpleasant wet weather, it was a reassuring companion. <\/p>\n The steering was perfectly matched to the car \u2013 not too light, not too heavy \u2013 and it felt responsive and direct. I was particularly surprised with how well the Pathfinder handled some very narrow city streets, with its 11.8m turning circle feeling far smaller.<\/p>\n The big V6 engine feels gutsy and is particularly at home on freeways, where it cruises happily along and has the grunt required to overtake as needed. <\/p>\n On the flip side, the weight of the car can mean it feels a little sluggish when getting moving from a standstill. <\/p>\n I noticed a lag when accelerating from a standstill to city speeds, which made slipping into a busy roundabout or darting out into a break in traffic a bit more challenging. <\/p>\n Once moving, however, the nine-speed automatic transmission is smooth and compliant, with ample power and torque proving more than effective at hauling the hefty Pathfinder up hills. <\/p>\n One small gripe I had was that such a compact, low-profile gear shifter feels incongruous with a car of this size. I occasionally went to reach for it and found myself swiping the air, forgetting just how small it really was. <\/p>\n Unlike other large SUVs I\u2019ve driven, the Pathfinder doesn\u2019t have a lurching sensation under sharp braking, which contributes to an overall sense of controlled calm while on the road. <\/p>\n Ultimately, I was sad to hand the keys back, given how easily the Pathfinder slotted into my daily driving life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\nKey details<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/strong>2024 Nissan Pathfinder ST-L<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n| Engine<\/td>\n | 3.5-litre V6 petrol<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | \n| Power<\/td>\n | 202kW @ 6400rpm<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | \n| Torque<\/td>\n | 340Nm @ 4800rpm<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | \n| Drive type<\/td>\n | All-wheel drive<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | \n| Transmission<\/td>\n | 9-speed torque converter automatic<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | \n| Power-to-weight ratio<\/td>\n | 98.4kW\/t<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | \n| Weight (kerb)<\/td>\n | 2052kg<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | \n| Spare tyre type<\/td>\n | Temporary<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | \n| Tow rating<\/td>\n | 2700kg braked
750kg unbraked<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | \n| Turning circle<\/td>\n | 11.8m<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n
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