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2008 Nissan Pathfinder Review

STYLING | 7 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

Progressive design that is both stylish and rugged
Kelley Blue Book

Resembles the Armada and Xterra more than its previous years
The Auto Channel

Dash and center console have been revised for easier use
Edmunds

The last fully redesigned Nissan Pathfinder debuted in the 2005 model year, and for Nissan, 2008 brings "new exterior front-and-rear styling and wheel designs," according to The Auto Channel. The interior has also been restyled, and while the Nissan Pathfinder's age shows in some places, it's still an attractive vehicle overall.

The exterior of the 2008 Nissan Pathfinder scores fairly well in reviews read by TheCarConnection.com. While Edmunds writes that the 2008 Nissan Pathfinder "comes in four trim levels: S, SE, SE Off-Road, and LE," there aren't a lot of exterior differences among them, aside from the "exclusive off-road shocks and tires" and "skid plates" on the SE Off-Road. Edmunds also notes "its body is far larger than past models," which is part of Nissan's effort to make the Pathfinder "suitable for mainstream multiple passenger transport." Cars.com is disappointed to find that "the most unusual feature of the side view--the rear door handles mounted vertically and higher than the front door handles--hasn't changed," as those handles are placed such that "kids can't reach them." Other than that gripe, however, most reviewers side with Kelley Blue Book, which says that the Nissan Pathfinder boasts a "rugged, purposeful exterior befitting the vehicle's lineage and ability." Kelley Blue Book informs those not familiar with the Nissan lineup that "the new front end mimics other Nissan models such as the Armada and Frontier, tying in a familial theme."

Inside the Nissan 2008 Pathfinder's rugged exterior is a functional cabin, though Cars.com says it "isn't the prettiest around." ConsumerGuide praises the Nissan Pathfinder for its "well-placed gauges with user-friendly controls," and they approve of the fact that while "the available navigation system takes time to learn," it "doesn't absorb audio or climate functions--a plus." Other revamped interior touches include what Autoblog calls a "classier-looking rounded" shifter in the center console that replaces the "squared-off" unit on previous Nissan Pathfinders.

Conclusion

For better or worse, the 2008 Nissan Pathfinder looks like the rest of Nissan's large SUVs.


Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

The Pathfinder's design is already several years old, but it feels thoroughly modern next to the Chevrolet TrailBlazer, which mates dated styling with a cramped interior and subpar performance. The Ford Explorer has a nicely updated, comfortable interior with more standard safety features across the line, but it doesn't possess the sturdy off-road ability of the 2008 Nissan Pathfinder. The Toyota 4Runner is another possibility, with plenty of off-road ability, though it has a noisier interior and a harder ride and can get quite expensive at the top of the line. An alternative might be the Dodge Durango, which offers a slightly larger package overall, though the Durango doesn't handle the road especially well. Each of these vehicles has poor fuel economy and a less-than-ideal ride, and most shoppers--if they don't need to tow frequently--would be better suited with a modern crossover design from these automakers, such as the GMC Acadia, Dodge Journey, Ford Edge, or Toyota Highlander.

Next Steps:

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See the Nissan Pathfinder in Other Years:

2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997

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