What's with the new Nissan Pathfinder?

[Dion]

Originally Posted by polak

To you guys, does an SUV have to be a square box?

It shouldn't look like a luxury family vehicle.

[puckluck2]

That's disgustingly ugly.

I own a 2001 pathfinder and got to say that is nasty looking. The 2012 model was very slick, not sure why they moved away from the design so much.

[GreatWhiteEbola]

Speaking of SUVs, I recently drove a friends new 4Runner. That thing drove like a car, I was amazed, I kinda want one now.

[Burninator]

Originally Posted by polak

To you guys, does an SUV have to be a square box?

No. But it does need be body on frame, 4x4 and have decent ground clearance IMO.

I don't blame Nissan for dialing back the pathfinder. If you wanted an off road ready SUV from them you would have bought an Xterra.

[afc wimbledon]

Originally Posted by _Q_

And the panzification of our society continues.

CVT? More like WTF?

Wouldn't it look more like this if that was the case?

[blankall]

The new trend with SUVs is to make them more like cars then trucks. The CRV was a top selling vehicle. Now every other entry level SUV is following suit. Basically, the entry level SUVs are now weighed down cars. They are no longer built on truck platforms. The Pathfinder is now built on the same platform.

The cars are super lame but actually make sense. House wives don't need to be driving around in vehicles with off roading capabilities to pick up their kids from soccer.

[Regulator75]

Wow, what a step backwards. Very fugly.

[DFO]

The 4Runner is now pretty much the only option for a capable body on frame SUV.

-actually the Xterra still is body on frame along with most of the other Toyota offerings

[_Q_]

Originally Posted by afc wimbledon

Wouldn't it look more like this if that was the case?

I think that would be panzerfication... which would be awesome!

[blankall]

Originally Posted by DFO

The 4Runner is now pretty much the only option for a capable body on frame SUV.

But seriously though, what percentage of Pathfinders, CRVs, Rav4s, etc.. have actually ever been legitemately taken off-road? Why do they need capable bodies? For the last decade these vehicles have been driven almost exclusively by suburbanites.

[kootenayguy9]

We have had one since it came out last November. Very impressed with it. We test drove Pilot, Highlander, Explorer and liked it the best. Curious on how it compares to Sante Fe XL.

[DFO]

Originally Posted by blankall

But seriously though, what percentage of Pathfinders, CRVs, Rav4s, etc.. have actually ever been legitemately taken off-road? Why do they need capable bodies? For the last decade these vehicles have been driven almost exclusively by suburbanites.

That's fine but manufacturers should just call them cross-overs or minivans - SUV is no longer accurate.

[blankall]

Originally Posted by DFO

That's fine but manufacturers should just call them cross-overs or minivans - SUV is no longer accurate.

They are no more "van" like than truck like. And yes, the pathfinder is now called a "crossover SUV". This is the correct term for an SUV built on a car platform, which is what the Pathfinder has become.

[pylon]

They still make a vehicle just like the old pathfinder.... It's called the X-Terra. Nissan has basically repositioned the Pathfinder, because the X-Terra was such a success, and basically cannibalized Pathfinder sales.

The pathfinder became a total mom-mobile a decade ago, and now they are designing it, to suit the core demographic that buys it. The X-Terra on the other hand, is actually an awesome rugged SUV. It reminds me a lot of the old 4Runner / Pathfinder of the 90's. And their is some serious aftermarket off-road accessories available. I am always on the lookout for a real clean one with a stick, to come in on trade at out dealership. As I would buy it in a heartbeat.

[SebC]

Looks a lot like the Toyota Venza.

[pylon]

Originally Posted by polak

To you guys, does an SUV have to be a square box?

A true sport utility has nothing to do with looks, and everything to do with utility and functionality. A square box is by far the most efficient and durable design for a multitude of reasons, from storage capacity, ease of modification, to ease of repair of body panels.

Unimogs, Hummers, CJ/YJ/TJ, G-Class, Range Rovers, Land Cruisers basically any vehicle considered a real off-road or military use vehicle.... all share and continue with that basic design element not by coincidence, but because it makes sense.

[Young-Sneezy]

Originally Posted by GreatWhiteEbola

Speaking of SUVs, I recently drove a friends new 4Runner. That thing drove like a car, I was amazed, I kinda want one now.

yes please.

[Hack&Lube]

Originally Posted by _Q_

And the panzification of our society continues.

CVT? More like WTF?

I would love a Panzerfication of our society to happen.

[Jackpot_Smooth]

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

I would love a Panzerfication of our society to happen.

The reason for the crappy cvt (in lots of cars now) is because people want fuel economy and don't care about sportiness as much any more. drag.

[Hack&Lube]

Originally Posted by Jackpot_Smooth

The reason for the crappy cvt (in lots of cars now) is because people want fuel economy and don't care about sportiness as much any more. drag.

Totally, no CVT here. If it's too cold, you need a hammer to change gears.