2013 Nissan Pathfinder

The 2013 Nissan Pathfinder comes with a 3.5-liter V6 engine under the hood mated to a CVT. For 2013, the Pathfinder is offered in four trim options. Pricing starts at $28,650 for the base model while the top-of-the-line model is offered at $41,150. The 2013 Nissan Pathfinder competes with the Mazda CX-9, Toyota Highlander, and the Honda Pilot.

The 2013 Nissa Pathfinder is offered in four trim options namely S, SV, Sl, and the topmost trim Platinum. All models are offered in a standard FWD drivetrain while 4WD is optional and comes with the same powertrain consisting of a 3.5 L V6 engine mated to a CVT. The available packages offered with the Pathfinder include the Trailer Tow Package and the Premium Package. The Premium Package would be a nice addition as it comes with some significant luxury and technology upgrades. The following table shows the detailed feature list of each trim along with their prices-

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The SL trim equipped with the Premium Package would be the best option to choose. It comes with an upgraded and more luxurious feature set over the lower trims while being significantly less expensive than the highest-end Platinum trim. And the Premium Package further adds to it a dual panorama moonroof, a tow hitch receiver with a 7-pin wiring harness, and the upgraded Bose audio system with 13 Speakers.

The 2013 Nissan Pathfinder is powered by a 3.5 L V6 engine mated to a CVT transmission. All models have the same powertrain under the hoods and this combo outputs a maximum power and torque of 260 hp and 240 lb-ft. Front-wheel drive is the standard configuration in the Pathfinder while 4WD is an available option for all trims and it costs around $1,500 extra. The Pathfinder doesn’t have the best-in-class power figures, but it surely is a strong and responsive machine. 

The Pathfinder, even though it has a CVT, accelerates pretty well. It reaches a speed of 60mph in 7.5 seconds and crosses the quarter-mile mark in 15.8 seconds. These figures are impressive considering the size and segment of the crossover. The Pathfinder, however, doesn’t handle as impressively as it performs. There is also a noticeable amount of body roll felt while tackling corners.

The Mazda CX-9 is the most powerful option among all of these crossovers, and it also happens to be the most road-focused one. While all other models come with an available 4WD option the Mazda provides a choice to opt for an AWD drivetrain. The Nissan, Toyota, and Mazda cars are similarly fast while Honda is a bit slower. However, the Mazda is the most agile and fun-to-drive machine among them.

The 2013 Nissan Pathfinder has been tuned to deliver better fuel economy and Nissan has succeeded in doing so. The Pathfinder provides a fuel efficiency of 20mpg in the city, 26 on the highway, and a combined efficiency of 22mpg. This Nissan crossover has a 19.5-gallon fuel tank that enables it to travel up to around 429 miles without a fuel stop in combined road and driving conditions. 

The Nissan is the most efficient among these crossovers and the redesign and revised tuning have made it happen. The Honda Pilot follows the Pathfinder while the Mazda is the least efficient, but by a slight margin. The Pilot, however, delivers the most range as it has a higher fuel capacity of 21.0 gallons. The Pathfinder excels in the fuel efficiency department while also being a solid performer. 

The 2013 Nissan Pathfinder has a great cabin made up of high-quality materials. But, it doesn’t look as updated as it should, and it doesn’t seem like the interior of a fully redesigned, updated vehicle. However, it does look better and refreshed than many of the models in the segment with outdated interiors. Overall the interior of the redesigned Pathfinder is nice to the eyes while also is of great quality. 

The cabin of the Pathfinder is extremely spacious except for the third row. The first and second rows are super spacious and offer very comfortable seating. The interior features a wood-tone trim and the seats are covered with cloth in the lower trims while they are leather-wrapped in the higher ones. The Pathfinder also offers a good cargo capacity which is actually usable and practical. 

The Honda Pilot and the Mazda CX-9 are the more spacious options considering the space offered in all three rows as well as the cargo capacity. The Pathfinder follows with a slightly cramped third row and a lower capacity boot while the Highlander is the least spacious. The Mazda also has the best-looking, luxurious, and premium interior. The following are some of the most important interior features of the 2013 Nissan Pathfinder-

• 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with power lumbar support
• Driver’s seat and outside mirrors position memory
• Steering-wheel position memory
• 4-way power-adjustable front passenger’s seat
• Leather-appointed seats and door trim
• Heated seats and steering wheel
• Climate-controlled front seats (heated and cooled)
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob

How intuitive is the 2013 Nissan Pathfinder’s infotainment unit?

The 2013 Pathfinder comes with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment unit. The touchscreen is intuitive and easy to use. The base variants come with a 6-speaker audio system while the top-end model comes with a 13-speaker system from Bose with the Acoustic Waveguide technology. The following are the main infotainment features of the 2013 Pathfinder-

• Nissan Hard Drive Navigation System with 8-inch VGA touch-screen monitor and voice recognition
• NavTraffic and NavWeather provided by SiriusXM
• Around View Monitor
• Bose audio system with AM/FM/CD and 13 speakers

The pathfinder looks like a typical Nissan SUV, but not as bold as them. It has become sleeker and more stylish compared to the older model. The Pathfinder is a machine with character and while it may not be flashy or seem luxurious. While the older generation model looked outright rugged and serious, this one has been tamed and would be more appealing. Overall the redesigned Pathfinder doesn’t disappoint in terms of exterior beauty. 

The wheels of the Pathfinder are 18-inches in size in the lower trims while the higher-end trim gets larger 20-inch aluminum-alloy wheels. The Platinum trim also gets a tow hitch receiver with a 7-pin trailer tow wiring harness which is a nice addition and could be equipped in the lower trims by opting for a package. The Pathfinder has also become significantly lighter than the previous model, but it also gets a lower ground clearance of 6.5 inches compared to its predecessor. 

The Pathfinder lost its rugged and dirt-friendly looks in this redesign and while looking at sleeker-looking crossovers in the segment, the Mazda is the best. The CX-9 is a treat to look at and it looks as luxurious from the outside as it is on the inside. The Highlander and the Pilot, however, look more old-school and like boxy traditional SUVs. However, all of the competition offers more legroom than the Pathfinder. The following are some of the most important exterior features- 

• 20" aluminum-alloy wheels
• Smart Auto Headlights
• Fog lights
• Tow hitch receiver with 7-pin wiring harness
• Dual power heated outside mirrors with reverse tilt-down feature 
• Chrome bodyside moldings
• Dual Panorama Moonroof 
• Front UV-reducing solar glass and rear privacy glass

The 2013 Nissan Pathfinder gets impressive crash test scores for both NHTSA as well as IIHS. NHTSA has given Pathfinder an overall safety rating of 4-stars which is impressive and it also gets all 5-star ratings for all the side crash tests. IIHS has also provided it with a rating ‘Good’ under different parameters. The Pathfinder is built based on Zone Body construction with front and rear crumple zones, hood-buckling creases, energy-absorbing steering column, and pipe-style steel side-door guard beams. The following are its important safety features-

• Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) with Traction Control System (TCS)
• Active Brake Limited Slip (ABLS)
• LATCH system (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children)
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) with individual tire pressure display and Easy-Fill Tire Alert
• Nissan Vehicle Immobilizer System
• Vehicle Security System

The 2013 Nissan Pathfinder is a good option in the segment and is offered at a lower price compared to the rivals. It comes with a great powertrain combo that is powerful and fuel-efficient and has enough space and luxury on the inside. All of this makes the Pathfinder a superb choice in the segment. But if you have some more money to spend, then choose the Mazda CX-9 as it offers more space and looks more premium inside out.