When it was first introduced in 1986, the Nissan Pathfinder sport utility vehicle (SUV) stood as an innovator in class – and as the lone SUV in Nissan showrooms in North America. Today, the family of Nissan SUVs has grown significantly in size and scope, now encompassing the full-size Armada, Xterra, Murano, X-Trail and, the Pathfinder.
Pathfinder remains true to the adventure roots of the original with a powerful design featuring, three-row seating, enhanced off-road capabilities with a 4.0-liter version of the award-winning Nissan VQ-series V6 engine and a fully boxed, all-steel frame based on the full-size Armada.
"Each of our five Nissan SUVs has a specific role in the lineup. With the success of Murano as our true crossover SUV, we're able to utilize the strengths of the Armada platform on the Pathfinder to create a highly capable, mid-sized adventure vehicle for highly active families," said Ian Forsyth, director, marketing Nissan Canada Inc. "We believe Pathfinder offers the best balance of off-road and on-road capabilities and utility in class."
Expressive Exterior Styling
Redesigned for the 2005 model year, Pathfinder evolves the now classic look of the previous generations - including a large, powerful hood and headlights, solid shoulder line, large integrated fender flares, short front and rear overhangs and Nissan SUV signature angled C-pillar with high-mounted rear door handles. Pathfinder also bears a strong family resemblance to the larger Armada, especially in the angled strut-style grille and powerful overall presence and straightforward functionality.
Additional exterior features include a roof rack design with integrated forward and rear grips, heated outside mirrors and flip-up rear glass hatch opening. Pathfinder also offers available side running boards, and power slide and tilt sunroof.
The 2006 Pathfinder features a long wheelbase (112.2 inches / 2850mm) for enhanced roominess, ride comfort and stability, while its manageable overall length (187.6 inches / 4765mm) and short front and rear overhangs enhance maneuverability for around town or off-road trails driving.
The Pathfinder also offers a bold palette of expressive exterior colors, including a new color for 2006 – Majestic Blue.
A Flexible Interior Design
The Pathfinder continues the Nissan SUV tradition it originated in providing an interior environment designed to enhance active family lifestyles. The standard 3rd row seat gives Pathfinder 7-passenger seating, along with outstanding passenger/cargo flexibility. The split fold-down 2nd and 3rd row seats can be folded down individually, combining with the fold-down front passenger seat to provide up to 64 different seating/cargo configurations. The 2nd row seat, for example, features a 40/20/40 split feature with a one-touch release lever for easy access to the 3rd row.
The 50/50 split 3rd row seat folds down into the floor, allowing complete passenger/cargo use spontaneity, and the adjustable head restraints (2nd and 3rd rows) do not need to be removed to fold down the seats. The back side of the 3rd row seatbacks combines with an available easy-to-clean luggage area flooring and a total of eight cargo area utility hooks (floor hooks can carry up to 110 pounds / 49.9kg) to create an extremely versatile area for hauling camping equipment, bikes, wetsuits and other gear. Another unique feature of the Pathfinder's interior is the hidden storage area located under the 2nd row seats, one of many areas designed to help hold the accessories of an active lifestyle.
A long list of available comfort and convenience features continues Pathfinder's longstanding reputation for attention to driver and passenger needs. Standard equipment includes power windows and door locks, tilt steering wheel, dual front and rear 20-ounce cup holders, four 12-volt DC outlets (two front, one rear and one in the center console box), 8-way adjustable driver's seat and overhead console with sunglass storage.
Other available features include a first aid kit, dual-zone automatic temperature control, rear air conditioning, adjustable pedals, leather-appointed 1st and 2nd row seats, power sunroof, HomeLink® Universal Transceiver, Bose® audio system with eight speakers and subwoofer, MP3 and WMA audio playback capability, power-adjustable driver's and front passenger's seats with driver memory package, leather-appointed steering wheel, wood grain trim, navigation system and DVD entertainment system.
Desert Leather is now available on the Off-Road.
"The Pathfinder's interior offers both function and room for cargo and passengers," said Forsyth. "It's a great space and great facilitator for family adventures or personal pursuits."
A Foundation For Go-Anywhere Explorations
Like the full-size Armada, the 2006 Pathfinder combines rugged body-on-frame construction with the superior ride and handling characteristics of 4-wheel independent double-wishbone suspension.
Utilizing the Armada's "F-Alpha" architecture as a basis, the Pathfinder builds from a fully boxed, all-steel ladder frame and adds an all-steel double-wishbone front suspension with coil-over shocks and stabilizer bar. In the rear, an independent rear double-wishbone suspension design with the coils located on the toe control link (offset spring and shock) with stabilizer bar improves ride quality and optimizes handling, especially on rough road terrain. Rancho® performance shocks are offered as standard equipment on the Off-Road model.
Powering the Pathfinder is a standard 4.0-liter DOHC V6, rated at a class-leading 270 horsepower* and 291 lb-ft torque. The engine is part of Nissan's award-winning VQ engine series found in the 350Z, Maxima, Altima, Murano and Quest. The engine features a longer stroke than the 3.5-liter version (92.0 mm versus 81.4 mm) and has been specifically engineered with ladder type block reinforcement and revised camshaft profiles for SUV and truck applications.
Like others in the VQ series, the 4.0-liter version includes such advanced design features as Electronic Throttle Control with secondary mapping in 4LO, Continuous Valve Timing Control (C-VTC), Nissan variable Induction Control System (NICS), silent timing chain, microfinished camshaft and crankshaft surfaces, molybdenum-coated pistons, resin intake manifold, digital knock control system, high capacity muffler, lightweight aluminum block and platinum-tipped spark plugs.
Every 2006 Pathfinder is equipped with a standard electronically controlled 5-speed automatic transmission. The transmission features a "wide ratio" design for good acceleration performance and cursing efficiency, while a Direct Control System helps provide smooth shift quality. Maximum towing capacity (when properly equipped) is rated at 6,000 pounds. An integrated tow hitch is standard on all 2006 Pathfinders.
Along with a powerful engine, Pathfinder features a number of advanced traction control systems as standard content. It includes an advanced 4-Wheel Limited-Slip system (ABLS), which helps limit wheel slip when starting on low traction surfaces. Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system helps the Pathfinder stay in your steered path by controlling understeer and oversteer conditions by reducing engine speed and/or applying appropriate brake pressure to specific wheel.
Off-road model provides additional advanced traction control systems such as Hill Descent Control and Hill Start Assist (HSA). Hill Descent Control (HDC), allows automatic downhill descend at a constant speed without driver intervention. HDC automatically adjusts engine speed and brake pressure to keep the vehicle moving at a constant speed of 3 kph in 4-Low or 7kph is 4-High. HDC must be engaged by the driver (via a switch) and is available only when the transfer case is engaged in 4HI or 4LO (it works in both forward and reverse). It can be activated at speeds up to 50 kph in 4HI and 25 kph in 4LO.
Hill Start Assist (HSA) allows the driver to stop on a slope, release the brake pedal and not roll back for up to two seconds. HSA is always active and is available in 4HI and 4LO. Other 2006 Pathfinder driveline components include engine-speed-sensitive power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering and 4-wheel vented disc brakes with Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD), and Brake Assist (BA).
Available wheels include standard 16-inch aluminum-alloy wheels (S and SE) or off-road style 16-inch aluminum-alloy wheels (Off-Road) or 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels (LE). Available tire sizes include 245/75R16 (S), 265/70R16 (SE), 265/75R16 (Off-Road) and 265/65R17 (LE).
The Pathfinder's list of safety features and equipment includes Zone Body construction with front and rear crumple zones, Nissan Advanced Air Bag System (which includes dual-stage front supplemental air bags with seat belt sensors and a front occupant classification sensor), and 3-point front seat belts with pretensioners and load limiters. Standard are 3-point seat belts for all rear seat occupants, including the 2nd row center position, the LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) child seat anchor system, Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) and Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS).
Also available are supplemental front seat side-impact air bags, and available roof-mounted supplemental curtain air bags for side impact and rollover protection for outboard passengers in all three rows.
A Choice of Four Well-Equipped Models
The 2006 Pathfinder is offered in a choice of four models: S, SE, Off-Road and LE. Every model comes complete with standard three-row seating, 4.0-liter V6, 5-speed automatic transmission, Vehicle Dynamic Control system, and new for 2006 All-Mode all-wheel drive system.
Along with the long list of standard features found on the Pathfinder S, SE models add running boards, roof rack crossbars, fog lamps, front tow hook, fold flat front passenger sear, unique seat fabric, Easy Clean Cargo Area, rear reading lamps, cargo net, first aid kit, body-color outside mirrors, 8-way power driver's seat and 2nd row fold-down center armrest, body side mouldings, leather wrapped steering wheel and shifter, Auto Day/Night mirror, digital compass, outside temperature display, dual illuminated vanity mirrors, silver painted center cluster, dual-zone automatic climate control, rear a/c, power adjustable pedals, and new for 2006 AM/FM CD6 system with in-dash CD changer, MP3 and WMA audio playback capability, and steering wheel audio controls.
The Off-Road model adds off-road style aluminum-alloy wheels, BF Goodrich P265/75R16 rugged trail tires, Rancho high-performance performance shocks absorbers, unique blue accented seat fabric, Hill Descent Control and Hill Start Assist, skid plates (lower radiator, oil pan, transfer case and fuel tank) and "Off-Road" badge.
The 2006 Pathfinder LE includes many of the features found on the SE model, plus 17-inch wheels and tires, auto headlamps, power sunroof, HomeLink system, advanced Bose audio system with eight speakers and subwoofer, leather-appointed 1st and 2nd row seats and door inserts, heated front seats, 4-way power-adjustable front passenger's seat, driver memory package (seat, mirrors and pedals), wood grain trim and supplemental front seat side-impact air bags, and roof-mounted supplemental curtain air bags for side impact and rollover protection for outboard passengers in all three rows.
A number of option packages are also offered, including Airbag Package, SE Premium Package, Off-Road Leather and Airbag Package, SE/LE DVD Entertainment System, LE Navigation System.
The Pathfinder is assembled at Nissan's award-winning Smyrna, Tennessee manufacturing facility. Engines are supplied by Nissan's nearby Decherd, Tennessee engine facility.
* All horsepower ratings are per SAE J1349 JUN1995