The Nissan Pathfinder Ti-L is the range-topping model of the model’s new-generation massive SUV, however in contrast to each different ‘Pathie within the line-up, this one has seven seats as a substitute of eight.
Why would you wish to pay extra for much less? Properly, perhaps when you’ve got no want for all eight seats, and also you wish to deal with these within the second row to loads of plushness, then this might be a sensible choice for you.
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However with an engine that seems like it’s caught firmly within the 2000s and never the 2020s, and a price ticket that’s edging effectively into luxurious SUV territory, this massive family-focused mannequin isn’t going to be for everybody.
How a lot does the Nissan Pathfinder Ti-L 4WD price?
An excessive amount of, should you ask me.
Till lately, Nissan had a couple of extra inexpensive Pathfinder fashions to select from, but the brand has just axed probably the most interesting variations – the ST and ST-L.
Which means the place to begin for the 2023 Pathfinder vary is now the Ti grade, which has additionally had some change – it doesn’t have a 2WD mannequin out there anymore, and its value has gone up, too.
After which there’s this one, the range-topping Ti-L, which in contrast to the mannequin beneath, it has seven seats as a substitute of eight.
2023 Nissan Pathfinder pricing:
- Pathfinder Ti 4WD: $71,490
- Pathfinder Ti-L 4WD: $81,490
Costs exclude on-road prices
That checklist pricing means you’re nearer to ninety thousand {dollars} for this automobile parked in your driveway. I feel that’s too costly.
However look, massive SUVs price so much! A Hyundai Palisade in Highlander trim with a keen turbo-diesel engine and all-wheel drive is $79,900. However I feel that’s a greater automobile than this, and in my view diesel is a a lot better match for a giant household truck than petrol is.
What’s the Nissan Pathfinder Ti-L 4WD like on the within?
Does it really feel like $80,000 value of SUV contained in the Pathfinder Ti-L? Not fairly.
There’s a bunch of excellent stuff in regards to the inside, however it doesn’t essentially make you go “Wow!” while you sit inside.
Usability of the controls is superb, there are buttons and dials for all of the essential components – so that you don’t need to run by means of a touchscreen for every little thing. That’s one factor that I like, however that’s the case for all variations of this automobile.
There’s additionally a rear air-conditioning management system built-in into the controls up entrance, and an extra management unit mounted behind the entrance armrest. Nice for households, however once more – each grade has that characteristic.
For the driving force, there’s a massive digital show, which is comparatively straightforward to return to phrases with, and that’s an unique merchandise within the Ti-L. There’s lots of info there, and at instances it may be just a little bit overbearing with simply what number of information factors are introduced.
The steering wheel itself is good to carry and a good condition, and likewise a great dimension for a automobile like this – the earlier technology Pathfinder’s steering wheel was extra like that you simply’d discover in a bus.
Storage is phenomenal – should you want as a lot in-car storage as you’ll suppose that somebody who’s shopping for an SUV with seven or eight seats wants, you then received’t be dissatisfied. There are a number of storage trays and openings, and greater than a dozen choices for individuals to retailer a drink. That’s a US-built SUV trait.
The entrance zone additionally has a lined centre console bin which could be very massive, a wi-fi cellphone charger, in addition to extra USB-C and USB-A charging ports.
The 9.0-inch touchscreen is comparatively easy to get used to, however I’d need one thing much more sizeable to separate this spec from the decrease ones. That mentioned, for almost all of the time that I had it I used to be linked to wi-fi Apple CarPlay – and I had no points in any respect.
There’s additionally a head-up show, which is a pleasant contact. However I’ll say it once more – you get that within the cheaper ones, too.
The driving force has a rotary dial to pick a bunch of various drive modes (Auto, Snow, Mud/Rut, Sand, Eco, Tow, Sport).
Second-row area is superb, and the seats each individually slide and have a recline perform. Which means which you can enable third-row occupants extra room if it is advisable.
The captain’s chairs are comfy, and I like there’s a lot storage out there – two cup-holders and bottle holders in every door, plus a pair of extra cupholders between the seats.
The push-button tilt slide mechanism for the second row seats makes accessing the again row so much simpler than in another SUVs. Nissan calls it ‘EZ Flex latch and glide’, and it’s sensible – the rear of the bottom of the seat pivots upward as does the backrest, and the complete factor slides ahead to permit good ingress to the rearmost row.
Each second-row seats have ISOFIX and top-tether factors. My daughter appeared to essentially like the very fact they’re stadium-style seats, so that you sit fairly excessive within the second row, getting a great view out in direction of the entrance windscreen or on the media display screen.
She additionally thought the sunroof – which stretches to the second row – was nice. And I assumed the in-built sunshades on each rear doorways helped make for extra nice daytime journeys.
The third row area is definitely fairly good, supplied you’re lifelike about who you wish to match within the again.
There are three seats, and you could possibly match three individuals throughout should you wanted to. There’s additionally a single ISOFIX level with a top-tether within the passenger facet third-row spot.
One drawback I had with this automobile was the rear-centre seatbelt. It’s mounted within the headlining, and to make use of it you must join one half to a receiver within the seat base, then it turns into anchored in place and able to use.
Nevertheless, strive as I’d, it wouldn’t undo within the automobile that I used to be testing. In order that meant that the seatbelt was in the best way for lots of storage conditions. Additionally, that seatbelt does sit fairly annoyingly over the shoulder or whoever is within the right-most third-row seat.
There are 4 extra cupholders within the third row, and a single USB port, to not point out overhead air flow which you additionally get within the second row. And, when it’s time to get out of the third row, there are electrical set off switches for the second row seats to be pivoted again ahead.
Boot area with seven seats in place is first rate – Nissan states the determine is 205 litres however that appears small to me – however I like the very fact the third-row may be moved for just a little bit extra top and depth. The 2 sections (it’s a 60:40 cut up) are recline adjustable.
There’s a massive underfloor storage cubby – which isn’t lined with carpet, so could be nice for muddy footwear or moist, swimming wear – and some purchasing bag hooks and baggage attachment hooks as effectively. Beneath the boot ground, on the underside of the car, there’s a spare wheel – however it’s a area saver.
With the third row seats folded there’s fairly a little bit of area – simply sufficient for a household of 4 (that’s all you’ll match on this automobile) to move away for per week. Once more, Nissan states a quantity of 554L, which is smaller than it appears.
One annoying little quirk – I saved hitting the fallacious button on the electrical tailgate – there’s one which unlocks or locks the automobile, and the opposite one opens the boot, and I saved getting the fallacious one once I was making an attempt to open the boot.
What’s beneath the bonnet?
The one selection for consumers for the Pathfinder’s powerplant is a 3.5-litre V6 petrol – is that ok in 2023, and for the years to return?
I’d argue no, it isn’t. Particularly contemplating the final mannequin was out there with a supercharged hybrid system. Admittedly, it wasn’t excellent – however a minimum of individuals had the choice.
As of late the “VQ35” 3.5-litre petrol V6 is the one selection, and it has a comparatively meagre 204kW (6400rpm) and 340Nm (4800rpm), and as you may see you really want to rev this factor to get something out of it.
The change that makes a little bit of distinction is a brand new nine-speed computerized transmission, which takes the place of the actually revvable CVT auto within the final mannequin.
This model of the Pathfinder wears the 4WD badge on the boot – however it’s not a correct 4×4, as there is no such thing as a low-range gearing. However it’s everlasting on-demand four-wheel drive, that means the electronics will decide while you want front-, rear- or all 4 wheels pushed.
How does the Nissan Pathfinder Ti-L 4WD drive?
The drive expertise within the new-generation Pathfinder doesn’t essentially really feel like a “massive step ahead” second.
A whole lot of that comes all the way down to the old-school engine, which isn’t essentially as as much as the duty correctly in some conditions. Certainly, together with the brand new nine-speed computerized transmission, it could possibly really feel at instances sluggish and gradual to react.
Accelerating on the motorway, for instance, I seen that I actually needed to sink my foot all the way down to the ground with a view to rise up to freeway pace for merges. In city settings, it additionally feels such as you’re always wringing its neck to get probably the most out of it.
This all comes all the way down to the truth that this engine seemingly has fairly low torque for such a heavy car: 340Nm shouldn’t be setting any requirements, particularly in one thing that weighs in extra of two tonnes (2083kg kerb).
Simply take into consideration loading it up with seven individuals and baggage, and you could possibly draw the conclusion that this automobile will really feel underdone by way of the engine.
It could’t cover that weight in corners, both, as a result of it does have some notable physique roll as you pilot it by means of bends at tempo.
The steering additionally takes a good bit of arm-twirling at low speeds – for instance, when parking or doing a U-turn – and the turning circle could also be quoted as 11.Eight metres, which is nice for the category however it feels a bit bigger than that.
On the flipside, the steering is definitely fairly good at decrease speeds whereas driving (not parking), and I like the very fact the steering wheel is an efficient dimension for this kind of automobile – the earlier mannequin’s steering wheel felt too massive, and in flip aided within the cumbersome nature of the car.
On the roads I drove the Pathfinder, it rode fairly effectively, contemplating it’s sitting atop 20-inch wheels.
Admittedly, it’s not the final phrase in refinement or consolation, however it did preserve me and my household comfy sufficient to not name it out for any specific misbehaviour.
What do you get?
Ostensibly, you get extra while you pay extra. However the essential distinction for the Ti-L model of the Pathfinder is that you simply in actual fact rating one much less seat.
Nissan isn’t alone in advertising this as a luxurious expertise for the second-row customers, however it’s one thing to contemplate that you simply can’t get a top-spec Ti-L with all of its extra commonplace gear (listed beneath) with an eight-seat structure, so that might rule it out should you simply need probably the most you may get in a Pathfinder on all fronts.
That’s some of the interesting components for the Hyundai Palisade. You possibly can select the top-spec mannequin with both seven or eight seats, and with petrol or diesel. Anyway…
Right here’s a rundown of the usual gear within the Pathfinder vary, little by little, so you may see what you get on this spec versus the lower-spec variations – though some are at present not out there.
Pathfinder Ti highlights:
- Eight seats
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- Roof rails
- LED headlights with nightfall sensors and auto high-beam
- LED fog lights
- 9.0-inch touchscreen
- 10.8-inch head-up show
- 7.0-inch TFT instrument cluster show
- Wi-fi Apple CarPlay
- Wired Android Auto
- DAB+ digital radio
- Wi-fi cellphone charging
- 13-speaker BOSE audio system
- Satellite tv for pc navigation
- Leather-based-accented seats
- 10-way energy driver seat with lumbar management
- Heated entrance seats
- Heated second-row outboard seats
- Tri-zone local weather management
- Energy-folding exterior mirrors
- Keyless entry and begin
- Energy tailgate
- Distant begin
- Rear privateness glass
- ‘EZ Flex’ latch-and-glide seating adjustment
- Tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment
- Leather-based-accented steering wheel
- Electrical parking brake
- 2 x USB-A shops
- 2 x USB-C shops
- Third-row USB-A port
- 2 x 12V shops
- ProPILOT lane-keep help with site visitors jam pilot
- Encompass-view digital camera with moving-object sensor
Pathfinder Ti-L provides:
- 7 seats (incl. 2nd row captain’s chairs)
- 20-inch alloy wheels
- Panoramic sunroof
- Rain-sensing wipers
- Underbody safety
- Ventilated entrance seats
- Digital rear-view mirror
- ‘Wrap-around’ cabin ambient lighting
- 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
- ‘Premium’ sprint trim
- 12-way energy driver seat
- 4-way energy passenger seat
Suppose the additional gear is definitely worth the $10Okay premium? Tell us within the feedback.
Is the Nissan Pathfinder Ti-L 4WD secure?
This technology of Nissan Pathfinder was awarded a five-star ANCAP security score in 2022. So you may positively contemplate this a secure household hauler.
Commonplace security options embody:
- Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
- Blind-spot help
- Lane preserve help
- Lane departure warning
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Visitors-sign recognition with over-speed prevention
- ProPILOT (adaptive cruise + lane centring)
- Tyre strain monitoring
- 9 airbags incl. third row curtains
- Reversing digital camera
- Rear parking sensors
- Encompass-view cameras
How a lot does the Nissan Pathfinder Ti-L 4WD price to run?
Nissan covers its vary with a five-year, limitless kilometre guarantee, and there’s capped-price servicing for the vary as effectively for six years or 90,000km – whichever comes first.
In the event you favor, you may prepay your upkeep for the primary three, 4, or 5 years. For the 4WD variations, the numbers are just a little larger than 2WD fashions, however each embody brake fluid (due at 24 months/30,000km).
In the event you’re extra eager to pay as you go (which doesn’t make sense to me as a result of you may prepay and roll that price into your repayments… however you do you), then there’s an choice for such.
The kicker right here is that sixth service for the Pathfinder, which could be very costly. I think about there’ll be lots of four-and-a-half-year-old ‘Pathies in the marketplace, nonetheless with just a little little bit of guarantee however with the recognized issue of the large, expensive 90,000km service looming.
As for gasoline consumption? What stunned me was that this technology of Pathfinder is much less environment friendly than the final. Sometimes manufacturers goal to decrease the gasoline consumption common official mixed determine between generations, however that didn’t occur for the brand new Pathfinder.
For the 4WD examined right here, the official mixed cycle gasoline consumption determine is 10.5 litres per 100km, the place its predecessors had been rated at 10.1L/100km. Forgetting what the official quantity states, throughout per week of driving I noticed a real-world return of 11.8L/100km and never as soon as did I fill this car to its capability – probably the most I requested of it was my household of three doing a couple of brief drives.
In different phrases, you may anticipate the determine to be larger should you use all seven (or eight, if relevant) seats.
CarExpert’s Tackle the Nissan Pathfinder Ti-L 4WD
In my thoughts, if this spec of Pathfinder was $10,000 or $15,000 cheaper, it will really feel about proper.
The Ti-L has some plush inclusions, and it’s roomy for households, however regardless of having a bunch of high-tech inclusions it feels antiquated within the drive expertise, mainly due to that ageing V6 engine.
If that doesn’t hassle you, and the worth appears affordable, then it is perhaps a great choice. However I’d be testing a Hyundai Palisade first.
MORE: Everything Nissan Pathfinder
Execs
- Spacious in all three rows
- Higher inside than ever earlier than
- Nonetheless a decently usable boot in three-row mode
Cons
- It prices approach an excessive amount of
- Thirstier than the final mannequin
- Engine is off the tempo
Prime Line Specs
- Energy: 202kW
- Gas Kind: Premium Unleaded Petrol
- Financial system: 10.5L/100km
- CO2 Emissions: 245g/km
- ANCAP Security Ranking: 5
