Nissan Pathfinder

Generations compared: what the extra years change

The catalogue lists 7 generations. Body type is SUV 5-doors on every one. The buying decision is not “which Pathfinder” in the abstract; it is which generation’s drivetrain and mass you will live with.

The catalogue lists 7 generations. Body type is SUV 5-doors on every one. The buying decision is not “which Pathfinder” in the abstract; it is which generation’s drivetrain and mass you will live with.

1 generation (1985-04-01 to 1995-09-30) lists 23 modifications in the count field and 12 versions in the data. Peak power in those 12 is 153 hp (3.0 AT and 3.0 MT, 6 V-shaped, Gasoline, boost No). The only measured 0–100 here is 3.0 MT 148 hp at 12.6 s; top speed 166 km/h. Ground clearance is 195 mm on most listed cars and 210 mm on the 148 hp 3.0 AT / 3.0 MT. Tank 80 L. The 85 hp 2.7 AT and 2.7 MT Diesel (boost No, RWD) are the weakest Pathfinders in the whole file.

2 generation (1995-10-01 to 2004-08-31) is the first generation where Gasoline 6 V-shaped cars reach 220–253 hp. 3.5 MT 253 hp is 103 hp above 3.3 MT 150 hp on the same 5-speed Manual AWD layout (253 − 150 = 103). 3.5 AT exists twice: 220 hp (10.3 s, 175 km/h) and 243 hp (9.2 s, 164 km/h). Clearance where measured is 210 mm. Tank still 80 L.

3 generation (2004-01-01 to 2007-01-31) adds the 5552 cc 5.6 AT 321 hp / 522 Nm (8 V-shaped, Gasoline, boost No) in RWD (2185 kg) and AWD (2285 kg). That is the highest horsepower in the catalogue (321 − 284 = 37 hp above the later 3.5 cars). Diesel stays at 2.5 MT / 2.5 AT 174 hp, 403 Nm. Clearance peaks at 240 mm on 2.5 AT 174 hp AWD and 2.5 MT 174 hp AWD, 238 mm on 4.0 AT 270 hp AWD, 230 mm on 4.0 AT 269 hp RWD.

3 generation, restyling (2007-02-01 to 2015-01-31) is the diesel-and-torque generation. 3.0 AT 231 hp / 550 Nm (6 V-shaped, Diesel, Turbo, Automatic 7) is 160 Nm above the restyle 4.0 AT 266 hp Gasoline Turbo (550 − 390 = 160). 2.5 AT and 2.5 MT appear at both 174 hp / 403 Nm and 190 hp / 450 Nm. 4.0 AT 266 hp is listed with boost Turbo (unlike 3 generation 4.0 AT 269/270 hp with boost No). Clearance is 228 mm on every restyle version. Gross weight is the catalogue’s highest where measured: 2980 kg on 3.0 AT AWD.

4 generation (2012-08-01 to 2017-10-31) drops the 80 L tank to 74 L (−6 L) and drops clearance to 165–181 mm (228 − 165 = 63 mm versus restyle diesel). Gearbox on all four versions is Variable. The only Hybrid is 2.5 CVT 234 hp. Engine layout is Front, transverse (the restyle 4th and 5th generations use Front, longitudinal).

4 generation, restyling (2016-01-01 to 2021-10-31) keeps 3.5 CVT but raises output to 284 hp / 352 Nm and clearance to 200 mm (200 − 165 = 35 mm versus the 165 mm 4 generation cars; 200 − 181 = 19 mm versus the 249 hp 3.5 CVT). First FWD Pathfinder in the 3.5 CVT line.

5 generation (from 2021-10-01; stop not measured) replaces Variable with Automatic 9, tank 70 L (74 − 70 = 4 L less than 4th generation), fuel label 92 (earlier 3.5 cars: 95), clearance 181 mm again.

Engines and specs

Same `mod_name` is split by power and drive. Boost, cylinders and layout are taken from the data labels only.

Power per litre (hp ÷ litres from the cc figure / 1000): 2.5 CVT Hybrid 234 / 2.488 = 94.1 hp/L — the densest. 3.5 V6 AT 4WD and restyle 3.5 CVT 284 / 3.498 = 81.2 hp/L. 4 generation 3.5 CVT 260 hp = 74.3 hp/L; 249 hp = 71.2 hp/L. 3.0 AT Diesel 231 / 2.991 = 77.2 hp/L. 5.6 AT 321 / 5.552 = 57.8 hp/L — most power, least density. 2.7 AT / 2.7 MT 85 / 2.663 = 31.9 hp/L.

Performance, mpg and economy

0–100 km/h and top speed are not measured on most versions; those cells are not omitted below as if the cars had no such parameter.

Measured 0–100, fastest first: 4 generation 3.5 CVT 249 hp AWD 8.5 s; 5 generation 3.5 V6 AT 4WD AWD 8.5 s; 4 generation 2.5 CVT 8.7 s; 2 generation 3.5 MT 253 hp 8.8 s; 3 generation, restyling 3.0 AT AWD 8.9 s; 3 generation 4.0 AT 269 hp, 4.0 AT 270 hp and 4.0 MT 270 hp all 8.9 s; 2 generation 3.5 AT 243 hp 9.2 s; 2 generation 3.5 AT 220 hp 10.3 s; restyle 2.5 AT 190 hp AWD 10.7 s; restyle 2.5 MT 190 hp AWD 11.0 s; 2 generation 3.3 AT 170 hp 11.4 s; 2 generation 3.3 MT 150 hp and 3.3 AT 150 hp 12.0 s; restyle 2.5 MT 174 hp AWD and 3 generation 2.5 MT 174 hp AWD 12.3 s; restyle 2.5 AT 174 hp AWD and 3 generation 2.5 AT 174 hp AWD 12.5 s; 1 generation 3.0 MT 148 hp 12.6 s. Not measured: both restyle 3.5 CVT 284 hp, 4 generation 3.5 CVT 260 hp AWD and 260 hp RWD, 5 generation 3.5 V6 AT 4WD FWD, both 5.6 AT, restyle 4.0 AT, restyle 3.0 AT RWD, and the 1 generation cars other than 3.0 MT 148 hp.

Measured top speed: restyle 3.0 AT AWD 200 km/h (highest). 4 generation 3.5 CVT 249 hp and 2.5 CVT, 5 generation 3.5 V6 AT 4WD AWD, and 3 generation 4.0 AT / 4.0 MT 190 km/h. Restyle 2.5 AT 190 hp AWD and 2.5 MT 190 hp AWD 186 km/h. 2 generation 3.5 MT 177 km/h; 3.5 AT 220 hp 175 km/h; restyle 2.5 MT 174 hp AWD 175 km/h; restyle 2.5 AT 174 hp AWD and 3 generation 2.5 AT 174 hp AWD 174 km/h; 2 generation 3.3 MT 150/170 hp 172 km/h; 3.2 MT 170 km/h; 3.3 AT 150/170 hp 166 km/h; 1 generation 3.0 MT 148 hp 166 km/h; 3.5 AT 243 hp 164 km/h; 3.0 MT Diesel 160 km/h; 2.7 MT 155 km/h. The 284 hp restyle 3.5 CVT pair: top speed not measured.

Mixed consumption, lowest measured: 4 generation 2.5 CVT Hybrid 8.7 L/100 km (city 10.9, highway 7.5). Restyle 2.5 MT 190 hp AWD also 8.7 (city 11.0, highway 7.3). Restyle 2.5 AT 190 hp AWD and 3 generation 2.5 MT 174 hp AWD 9.0. Restyle 3.0 AT AWD 9.5. 4 generation 3.5 CVT 249 hp 10.4 (city 13.7, highway 8.6) — 1.7 L/100 km more mixed than the Hybrid (10.4 − 8.7). Restyle 3.5 CVT FWD 10.2 (11.8 / 8.7); AWD 10.7 (12.4 / 9.1) — AWD costs 0.5 L/100 km mixed (10.7 − 10.2) and 63 kg (2012 − 1949). 5 generation both 3.5 V6 AT 4WD mixed 10.2; AWD city 11.2 / highway 8.7; FWD city 11.2 / highway 9.0. 3 generation 4.0 AT 269/270 hp mixed 13.5 (city 18.7). 2 generation 3.3 AT 150 hp mixed 13.4; 3.3 AT 170 hp 13.9; 3.5 AT 220 hp 14.5. 1 generation 3.0 MT 148 hp mixed 14.3. Restyle 4.0 AT 266 hp city 15.5 / highway 10.4, mixed not measured. Only 4 generation 3.5 CVT 249 hp has CO2 measured: 248 g/km. Eco class Euro 5 on 4 generation; Euro 4 on several 3rd-generation diesels; not measured on many petrol 3rd-generation and later 284 hp cars.

Dimensions, weight and ground clearance

Kerb-to-power (kg per hp), where kerb is measured: restyle 3.5 CVT FWD 1949 / 284 = 6.86 kg/hp (lightest among 284 hp). 5 generation 3.5 V6 AT 4WD FWD 1958 / 284 = 6.89. Restyle 3.5 CVT AWD 2012 / 284 = 7.08. 5 generation AWD 2027 / 284 = 7.14. 4 generation 3.5 CVT 260 hp RWD 1882 / 260 = 7.24 (lightest 3.5 in 4 generation). 260 hp AWD 1946 / 260 = 7.48. 249 hp AWD 1985 / 249 = 7.97. Hybrid 2.5 CVT 2083 / 234 = 8.90. Restyle 3.0 AT AWD 2210 / 231 = 9.57. Restyle 2.5 MT 190 hp AWD 2060 / 190 = 10.84. 3 generation 5.6 AT AWD 2285 / 321 = 7.12 — close to the late 284 hp AWD cars, with 37 hp more.

Gross weight: restyle 3.0 AT AWD 2980 kg (highest). 5.6 AT AWD 2948 kg. Many 2.5 diesels 2880 kg. 4 generation, restyling both 3.5 CVT 2717 kg. 5 generation both 2676 kg (2717 − 2676 = 41 kg less than restyle 4th). 4 generation 2.5 CVT 2260 kg. 4 generation 3.5 CVT 249/260 hp gross not measured.

Ground clearance for a buyer who wants height: 3 generation 2.5 AT / 2.5 MT 174 hp AWD 240 mm; 4.0 AT 270 hp AWD 238 mm; 4.0 AT 269 hp RWD 230 mm; restyle 3rd generation 228 mm across the board; 2 generation 210 mm where measured; 4 generation, restyling 200 mm; 1 generation 195 or 210 mm; 4 generation 3.5 CVT 249 hp 181 mm; 5 generation 181 mm; 4 generation 260 hp and Hybrid 165 mm. Choosing 4 generation 165 mm over restyle 3rd 228 mm is a 63 mm drop.

Tank: 80 L through 1–3 generations; 74 L on 4 generation and its restyling (−6 L); 70 L on 5 generation (−4 L versus 74). Wheels measured only on 4 generation 3.5 CVT 249 hp and both restyle 3.5 CVT: 235/65 R18 and 235/55 R20. Other versions: wheels not measured.

Which version to choose

If you want torque and clearance: 3 generation, restyling 3.0 AT AWD — 550 Nm, 8.9 s, 200 km/h, 9.5 L/100 km mixed, 228 mm, 2210 kg, Automatic 7, Diesel Turbo, 6 V-shaped. The same 3.0 AT as RWD has 0–100, top speed and consumption not measured; you lose the only 200 km/h figure in the file.

If you want the cheapest-running 3.5 of the late cars: 4 generation, restyling 3.5 CVT 284 hp FWD — mixed 10.2, city 11.8, 1949 kg, 200 mm, FWD, Variable. AWD on the same restyle costs 0.5 L/100 km mixed and 63 kg. 5 generation 3.5 V6 AT 4WD FWD matches 10.2 mixed but highway is 9.0 versus restyle FWD 8.7, and clearance falls from 200 mm to 181 mm; you gain Automatic 9 and a 70 L tank.

If you want 0–100 with a number on the late Variable cars: only 4 generation 3.5 CVT 249 hp AWD is measured among the 3.5 CVT family (8.5 s, 190 km/h, 10.4 mixed, 248 g/km CO2, 181 mm, Euro 5). The 260 hp 3.5 CVT AWD is 11 hp stronger (260 − 249) and 39 kg lighter (1985 − 1946) with 165 mm clearance, but 0–100, top speed and consumption are not measured. The 260 hp 3.5 CVT RWD is 64 kg lighter still (1946 − 1882) at the same 165 mm; same not-measured performance set.

If you want Hybrid: there is one — 4 generation 2.5 CVT 234 hp, 4 Inline, Compressor, 330 Nm at 3600 rpm, 8.7 s, 190 km/h, 8.7 L/100 km mixed, 2083 kg, 2260 kg gross, 165 mm, 74 L, Euro 5, AWD. Versus 249 hp 3.5 CVT: 15 hp less (249 − 234), 5 Nm more (330 − 325), 0.2 s slower (8.7 − 8.5), 1.7 L/100 km less mixed, 98 kg heavier (2083 − 1985), 16 mm less clearance (181 − 165).

If you want a 2.5 Diesel and a gearbox choice: restyle 2.5 MT 190 hp AWD is 0.3 s faster than 2.5 AT 190 hp AWD (11.0 vs 10.7 is the AT faster — AT 10.7, MT 11.0, difference 0.3 s) with the same 186 km/h, mixed 8.7 vs 9.0 (−0.3 L), kerb 2060 vs 2140 (−80 kg). 2.5 AT 174 hp AWD is 16 hp and 47 Nm below the 190 hp AT (190 − 174, 450 − 403), 12.5 s vs 10.7 s (1.8 s slower), 174 vs 186 km/h, mixed 10.1 vs 9.0. The 174 hp and 190 hp RWD diesels have 0–100, speed and consumption not measured.

If you want maximum petrol horsepower: 3 generation 5.6 AT 321 hp — RWD 2185 kg or AWD 2285 kg. 0–100, top speed, consumption, clearance: not measured. That is 37 hp above every 284 hp 3.5, and 55 hp above restyle 4.0 AT 266 hp (321 − 266).

If you want a 4.0: 3 generation 4.0 AT 270 hp AWD is measured at 8.9 s, 190 km/h, 13.5 mixed, 2165 kg, 238 mm, boost No. Restyle 4.0 AT 266 hp AWD is 4 hp down, boost Turbo, 2236 kg (+71 kg), 228 mm (−10 mm), city/highway 15.5/10.4, 0–100 and mixed not measured. Do not buy the restyle 4.0 expecting a published 0–100.

If you want a 2nd-generation 3.5: 3.5 MT 253 hp (8.8 s, 177 km/h, 1900 kg) beats 3.5 AT 243 hp on 0–100 (8.8 vs 9.2) and top speed (177 vs 164) and is 90 kg lighter (1990 − 1900). 3.5 AT 220 hp is slower (10.3 s) but has the only mixed figure in that trio (14.5). 3.3 AT 150 hp versus 3.3 AT 170 hp: +20 hp, +5 Nm, 11.4 vs 12.0 s, same 166 km/h, mixed 13.9 vs 13.4 (the 170 hp uses 0.5 L/100 km more), kerb 1950 vs 1910.

If you are looking at 1 generation: the only fully measured petrol is 3.0 MT 148 hp (12.6 s, 166 km/h, 15.4/10.6/14.3, 1835 kg, 210 mm). 3.0 AT 148 hp shares kerb and clearance; 0–100, speed and consumption not measured. 2.4 MT / 2.4 AT 103 and 140 hp and 2.7 AT / 2.7 MT 85 hp: those performance fields not measured.

Problems and reliability are not in this dataset; this comparison is arithmetic on the measured specs only. Prices are not in the data. For a single short rule: 3.0 AT AWD restyle 3rd for torque and 228 mm; 3.5 CVT 284 hp FWD restyle 4th for 10.2 L/100 km and 200 mm; 3.5 V6 AT 4WD AWD 5th generation when you need Automatic 9 and a measured 8.5 s; 2.5 CVT when 8.7 L/100 km mixed matters more than 165 mm clearance; 5.6 AT only if 321 hp is the whole point and you accept not-measured 0–100, speed and mpg.