What's with the new Nissan Pathfinder?

[blankall]

Originally Posted by corporatejay

You guys do realize that they are marketing these vehicles to families who need space, don't want a minivan, want something a little higher off the ground and still handles, to the extent possible, like a car.

The 4Runner is big and clunky and drives like a truck, the Rav4 handles more like a car. We already own a truck (which we are looking to sell) because it's a pain in the ass to take downtown and park every day and something like a crossover works more for our lifestyle right.

This. And you've been the target market for SUVs for a decade now.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Young-Sneezy

yes please.

Why do city folk need a tank-sized vehicle for commuting? 75% of all these vehicles including 4x4 trucks rarely leave paved roads. Astonishing that people have the nerve to complain about gasoline prices when many of them are commuting downtown with thirsty beasts such as this.

[#22]

My 2011 4-Runner averages 8.5 km/L (20 MPG) in the city and 9.5 km/L (22 MPG) on the highway (If I didn't drive it so hard, those numbers would definitely be better), and while those numbers aren't great, the fact it can tow up to 5000 lbs. was a big reason I went with it (work and holidays).

That and the fact I can hang the tail out in rear wheel drive throughout the winter. Never been a fan of front wheel drive vehicles.

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Why do city folk need a tank-sized vehicle for commuting? 75% of all these vehicles including 4x4 trucks rarely leave paved roads. Astonishing that people have the nerve to complain about gasoline prices when many of them are commuting downtown with thirsty beasts such as this.

Do you drive a four-cylinder economy car?

[blankall]

Originally Posted by #22

My 2011 4-Runner averages 8.5 km/L (20 MPG) in the city and 9.5 km/L (22 MPG) on the highway (If I didn't drive it so hard, those numbers would definitely be better), and while those numbers aren't great, the fact it can tow up to 5000 lbs. was a big reason I went with it (work and holidays).

That and the fact I can hang the tail out in rear wheel drive throughout the winter. Never been a fan of front wheel drive vehicles.

If you actually need a vehicle that can tow 5000lbs that's a different matter. However, I would wager that most 4Runners have never at any time had a tow attached to them.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Sliver

Do you drive a four-cylinder economy car?

Yeah I drive a 4-cylinder* car and I never complain about gasoline prices.

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Yeah I drive a 4-cylinder* car and I never complain about gasoline prices.

Okay, just wondering. Because I've literally seen a guy make fun of big SUVs from the seat of his 450 horsepower M56x sedan.

The criticisms of SUVs are generally fair. The ones that don't tow and don't go off-road are silly. Crossovers, however, are not the right direction for people to go. Certain people need to "get over" their aversion to minivans as they are the best family vehicle, particularly compared to crossovers - they are more fuel efficient, lighter, roomier, have a similar footprint, have a lower center of gravity, are faster, handle better, and are more comfortable (in general as there is more legroom, especially in the second row). They're also less expensive and therefore offer a better value.

Crossovers to me are more ridiculous than a non-offroading/towing SUV. They handle like garbage (high center of gravity), are typically slow and fuel-inefficient (because they're heavy), have poor outward visibility (because styling takes precedence over practicality and ergonomics), are expensive because of their popularity (thereby offering poor value) and they're huge outside but small inside.

I'm in my sixth year with my minivan and it has been a great vehicle - they're ideal for small kids because of the wide open power-sliding doors that make it easy to buckle kids into their seats, as kids get older they're not swinging their doors into the cars beside them, the trunk opening is low and therefore easy to put strollers, groceries, etc. into and the list goes on.

Now that my kids are 5.5 and 7 we are thinking of selling the van in favour of an SUV (I'm thinking of a Pathfinder a few years old). That's because the kids can get in and out of a vehicle on their own; strollers, cribs, etc. are in the history books for us; and now the kids are skiing and wanting to camp more (we pull a tent trailer).

I'm not sure what triggered the above rant, so moving on...

Gas prices don't bother me. I moved close to my work, my wife works from home, and we pretty much do all of our shopping and socializing within a few kms of our house. I think annually we're putting like 20,000 kms on our cars combined. I'd much rather a person drive a used (and therefore recycled) SUV and live a life with a small geographical footprint than a brand new fuel efficient car, but commute to and from Airdrie everyday while they pat themselves on the back for having an "environmentally friendly" vehicle.

[GreenLantern2814]

So... that new Nissan pathfinder, eh?

[Peanut]

I wish family vehicles weren't all so hideous looking.

[_Q_]

I was brought up in the 80s and my parents always drove a sedan during that time. As I don't have kids yet, why is it that families need huge vans or SUVs now if they have 2 kids? What has changed since the 80s? Why won't a larger sedan work?

[blankall]

Originally Posted by _Q_

I was brought up in the 80s and my parents always drove a sedan during that time. As I don't have kids yet, why is it that families need huge vans or SUVs now if they have 2 kids? What has changed since the 80s? Why won't a larger sedan work?

Part of it had to do with people being #@@#$ and contributing to the SUV safety arms race. Basically, people decided it was safer for themselves to have a larger car, which meant making it less safe for everyone else.

People also have way too much crap these days.

[_Q_]

Originally Posted by blankall

Part of it had to do with people being #@@#$ and contributing to the SUV safety arms race. Basically, people decided it was safer for themselves to have a larger car, which meant making it less safe for everyone else.

People also have way too much crap these days.

Yeah see that's the thing, I always tell people that I would never be caught dead driving a mini-van or crossover. I also don't believe in driving a giant SUV if you don't need it to tow stuff. I always get the "oh things will change when you have a family" response from them. But why does it have to? Why can't I throw my kids in the back of a sport sedan the way I was brought up?

[4X4]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Why do city folk need a tank-sized vehicle for commuting? 75% of all these vehicles including 4x4 trucks rarely leave paved roads. Astonishing that people have the nerve to complain about gasoline prices when many of them are commuting downtown with thirsty beasts such as this.

That's a tank sized vehicle? Maybe these city folk don't just drive to and from work. Maybe these city folk like to get out of the city on the weekend. Maybe these city folk like to go camping and they like to take a cooler and a couple of chairs and a couple of backpacks, which doesn't really fit in the trunk of a sedan. Maybe these city folk have a dog or two and you can't really put your dog in the trunk of a car. Maybe these city folk do some DIY projects and haul materials home. Maybe these city folk do more than just talk out their ass on the internet after work.

Seriously, some of you people are just so annoying to read (pylon and his incessant whining about pickups). Wah wah wah about people that like to drive a vehicle that can go more places than Superstore. Yeah, I'm sure that lots of people that drive SUVs really only drive them to Superstore and soccer, but plenty more like to actually go places with their vehicles. And as for the people that are just staying in the city with their 4x4s, well, you can't beat a 4x4 in the winter.

So quit your whining. You like cars, and other people like SUVs. What's it to you?

[billybob123]

Originally Posted by _Q_

Why can't I throw my kids in the back of a sport sedan the way I was brought up?

Child restraints are way bigger. I feel for people driving two-doors with small kids still in car seats. It's also a pain in the arse to strap them in.

[Violator]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Why do city folk need a tank-sized vehicle for commuting? 75% of all these vehicles including 4x4 trucks rarely leave paved roads. Astonishing that people have the nerve to complain about gasoline prices when many of them are commuting downtown with thirsty beasts such as this.

They are called weekend warriors

[kootenayguy9]

Originally Posted by corporatejay

You guys do realize that they are marketing these vehicles to families who need space, don't want a minivan, want something a little higher off the ground and still handles, to the extent possible, like a car.

The 4Runner is big and clunky and drives like a truck, the Rav4 handles more like a car. We already own a truck (which we are looking to sell) because it's a pain in the ass to take downtown and park every day and something like a crossover works more for our lifestyle right.

And that is exactly why I bought a 2013 Nissan Pathfinder

[Fozzie_DeBear]

So if I want an SUV with a manual I'm looking at:

Xterra
FJ
CX-5 base model
Jeep YJ
Cayenne
X3/X5
Forester base model

Did I miss any?

[corporatejay]

Originally Posted by Sliver

Okay, just wondering. Because I've literally seen a guy make fun of big SUVs from the seat of his 450 horsepower M56x sedan.

The criticisms of SUVs are generally fair. The ones that don't tow and don't go off-road are silly. Crossovers, however, are not the right direction for people to go. Certain people need to "get over" their aversion to minivans as they are the best family vehicle, particularly compared to crossovers - they are more fuel efficient, lighter, roomier, have a similar footprint, have a lower center of gravity, are faster, handle better, and are more comfortable (in general as there is more legroom, especially in the second row). They're also less expensive and therefore offer a better value.

Crossovers to me are more ridiculous than a non-offroading/towing SUV. They handle like garbage (high center of gravity), are typically slow and fuel-inefficient (because they're heavy), have poor outward visibility (because styling takes precedence over practicality and ergonomics), are expensive because of their popularity (thereby offering poor value) and they're huge outside but small inside.

I'm in my sixth year with my minivan and it has been a great vehicle - they're ideal for small kids because of the wide open power-sliding doors that make it easy to buckle kids into their seats, as kids get older they're not swinging their doors into the cars beside them, the trunk opening is low and therefore easy to put strollers, groceries, etc. into and the list goes on.

Now that my kids are 5.5 and 7 we are thinking of selling the van in favour of an SUV (I'm thinking of a Pathfinder a few years old). That's because the kids can get in and out of a vehicle on their own; strollers, cribs, etc. are in the history books for us; and now the kids are skiing and wanting to camp more (we pull a tent trailer).

I'm not sure what triggered the above rant, so moving on...

Gas prices don't bother me. I moved close to my work, my wife works from home, and we pretty much do all of our shopping and socializing within a few kms of our house. I think annually we're putting like 20,000 kms on our cars combined. I'd much rather a person drive a used (and therefore recycled) SUV and live a life with a small geographical footprint than a brand new fuel efficient car, but commute to and from Airdrie everyday while they pat themselves on the back for having an "environmentally friendly" vehicle.

Funny enough, one of the big reasons we can't settle on an SUV is because if we want one with space, it drives like crap (Infinity JX). If we want one that drive well (Volvo XC60) it doesn't really have the space. The Acura MDX seems to be a nice compromise, but was disappointed in the front passenger legroom when we had my son's car seat (rear facing) in it. I also find them over-priced.

Rav4 and CRV seem underpowered. 175hp for a vehicle that heavy came across gutless but the price was right. The towing capacity was lighter but probably fine for anything I'm going to use it for (light boat or tent trailer).

My wife just can't get her mind around a mini-van, so instead we'll just toil away not getting anything because we can't find anything we like, notwithstanding the Sienna looks like the ideal buy.

To the person saying a Sedan is fine, it is....but trust me, the size of strollers, car seats (when rear-facing they take up a tonne of space in the back, so much that an adult can't sit in the front). Then when we head out to the lake on weekends in the summer we have a pack and play, bags for my wife and I and our son, our dogs bag and then golf clubs/fishing gear etc... there is no way that all fits in a Sedan, it barely fits in my truck.

[corporatejay]

Originally Posted by Fozzie_DeBear

So if I want an SUV with a manual I'm looking at:

Xterra
FJ
CX-5 base model
Jeep YJ
Cayenne
X3/X5
Forester base model

Did I miss any?

I think the Outback has manual (or it used to). Not quite an SUV but has decent clearance and is AWD.

[kootenayguy9]

From Motorweek


Despite losing towing capacity and ruggedness, we were very impressed with the new–missioned 2013 Nissan Pathfinder. It is a vastly improved family crossover with a big jump in versatility. That’s why we selected it as our Driver’s Choice Winner as Best Large Utility of the year. The new Pathfinder has clearly taken a path that leads to happier families, and likely, bigger sales for Nissan.