New 2010 Nissan Pathfinder Invoice And Features Review

The 2010 Nissan Pathfinder once again packs nicely powered V6 or V8 engines, solid off-road capabilities, an attractive interior design, ample storage room and impressive towing capacity.

Originally, the Pathfinder was primarily intended as a serious, "rough-and-ready" off-road vehicle. But while maintaining significant rough-terrain abilities, the Pathfinder has transitioned to family on-road use, and the 2010 version is the best ever.

It's still based on the same truck chassis as the sturdy Nissan Titan and Armada. And while still a decent off-pavement performer, the Pathfinder has now dropped its Off Road Package, thereby easing off of some of its "go anywhere" abilities. It remains, however, a strong performer when it comes to towing duties, with maximum towing capacities of 6,000 pounds with the V6 engine and 7,000 pounds with the V8.

Overall, the versatile 2010 Pathfinder makes a solid choice for those with regular towing needs or who also like to trek out to their cabin in the woods. For those shopping in this segment, other worthy contenders include the Ford Explorer and the Toyota 4Runner.

Trims, Standard Features And Options:

The 2010 Nissan Pathfinder is categorized as a midsize 7-passenger SUV and is available in four trims: S, SE, LE and LE V8.

Standard features on the base Pathfinder S include full power accessories, air conditioning, cruise control, keyless entry, 16 inch alloy wheels, a tailgate with a separate glass hatch, a receiver hitch, rear tinted windows, roof rails, a front skid plate, a tilt steering wheel, an 8-way manually adjustable driver seat and a 6-speaker audio system with a CD player.

Moving up to the SE model adds an 8-way power driver seat, dual-zone automatic climate control, upgraded cloth upholstery, rear air conditioning, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, 17 inch alloy wheels, foglights, power-adjustable pedals, running boards, a multi-information color display and an auxiliary audio jack.

There's also the SE Premium Journey optional package that includes a rearview camera, keyless entry and ignition, roof rail cross bars, an auto-dimming mirror, automatic headlights and a 10-speaker Bose audio system with satellite radio and a 6-disc CD changer.

The Pathfinder LE gets everything in the Premium Journey package, plus a sunroof, leather upholstery, a 4-way power passenger seat, heated front seats, driver memory settings, a heated steering wheel, 18 inch wheels, heated side mirrors and wood-grain trim accents.

There's also an optional LE Navigation package (standard on the V8) which includes hard-drive-based navigation, real-time traffic and 9.3 gigabytes of digital music storage. A rear entertainment system is also an optional feature on the LE.

Engines, Powertrain And Gas Mileage:

Powering the 2010 Pathfinder is a choice of two engines, both considered class leaders. Standard on all models except the LE V8, is a 4.0-liter V6 that produces a robust 266 horsepower and 288 pound-feet of torque. It's paired with a 5-speed automatic transmission on both rear and four-wheel drive models. The four-wheel-drive system on the S and SE is a part-time system with a shift-on-the-fly transfer case controlled via a dash-mounted switch. The Pathfinder LE is outfitted with a full-time four-wheel-drive system.

In performance tests, a 4WD Pathfinder was timed from a standstill to 60 mph in a very respectable 7.4 seconds. The EPS-estimated gas mileage for a 2010 Pathfinder with rear-wheel drive comes in at 15 mpg city and 22 mpg on the highway. The 4WD is rated at 14 mpg city and 20 mpg highway.

The LE V8 model is equipped with a 5.6-liter V8 that's good for a hefty 310 horsepower and 380 lb-ft of torque. It is also paired with the 5-speed auto transmission, while four-wheel drive is standard. The LE V8 is EPA-rated at 13 mpg city and 18 mpg highway, and runs the 0 - 60 mph sprint in a very quick 7 seconds.

Safety:

Standard safety features on the 2010 Nissan Pathfinder include stability control, antilock disc brakes (ABS), front-seat side airbags, side curtain airbags and front seat active head restraints.

In government crash testing, the Pathfinder received four out of five stars for front-impact crash protection.

Interior:

The 2010 Pathfinder's cabin is attractive and user-friendly with a bit of a luxurious ambience, particularly with options such as navigation, Bluetooth and keyless entry/ignition.

The front seats are comfortable, supportive and roomy. However, the second-row is somewhat tight and could use additional leg and shoulder room. And the third-row is only suitable for children. Cargo space is satisfactory, however, thanks to both rear rows being able to fold flat, and comes in at 79 cubic feet.

Drive:

The 2010 Pathfinder is a solid performer with either engine. The LE V8, for example, is a full 2 seconds faster than the Ford Explorer V8 to 60 mph. And with either engine, the automatic transmission shifts smoothly and is perfectly timed. And for a vehicle of this size, it possesses almost sporty handling with its responsive and precise steering.

That said, while most drivers will be satisfied with the Pathfinder's overall driving experience, it should be remembered that it is still a truck-based vehicle, not a car-based crossover.

Update: Weak Economy Leads To Lower Pathfinder Prices:

Auto sales have been weak for months, evidence of a continuing poor economy and an especially weak car buying trend.

Nissan dealers have recently made some progress in offsetting at least some of the market weakness through strong incentives and easier-to-get discounts. The bottom line? The current combination of a soft market along with intense dealer competition has created the perfect opportunity for nailing down some great deals.

Car dealers will "wheel and deal" bigtime right now if you know how to push their buttons.

How To Buy A New Pathfinder At The Best Price: Before listing MSRP and invoice prices for the 2010 Nissan Pathfinder, here's the best way to get the lowest price, especially given the current slow car market.

Prices:

2010 Nissan Pathfinder:

S FE+, RWD: list price: $27,540, invoice price: $25,807
S, 4WD: list price: $29,540, invoice price: $27,678

SE, RWD: list price: $30,890, invoice price: $28,618
SE, 4WD: list price: $32,890, invoice price: $30,468

LE, RWD: list price: $37,050, invoice price: $34,315
LE, 4WD: list price: $39,250, invoice price: $36,349
LE V8, 4WD: list price: $42,300, invoice price: $39,171

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New 2010 Nissan Pathfinder Features and Pricing