Two engines are offered for the 2010 Nissan Pathfinder. A five-speed automatic transmission is standard, while both rear- and four-wheel drive are available. The LE gets a full-time four-wheel-drive system. In performance testing, a 4WD Pathfinder went from zero to 60 mph in 7.4 seconds. Estimated fuel economy is 15 mpg city/22 mpg highway and 17 mpg combined with rear drive and 14/20/16 with 4WD. properly equipped, the V6 can tow 6,000 pounds.
It, too, gets a standard five-speed auto, and four-wheel drive is standard. Properly equipped, the V8 model can tow 8,000 pounds.
The 2010 Nissan Pathfinder comes standard with antilock disc brakes, stability control, front seat active head restraints, front-seat side airbags and side curtain airbags.
In government crash tests, the Pathfinder was awarded four out of five stars for frontal crash protection. Inside the Nissan Pathfinder, occupants will find an attractive cabin with excellent ergonomics.
Unless buyers spend most of their time off road, the Nissan Pathfinder may be a poor choice. "Independent suspension makes for good road manners, and there's seating for seven." The least expensive off-road SUV, the Jeep Patriot, costs less than $20K and boasts much better fuel economy than the Nissan Pathfinder.
2010 Pathfinder’s base S model only comes with the V-6, but the sportier SE and LE models are available with either the V-6 or V-8. Fuel misers beware, though; with the V-8 and four-wheel drive, in city driving the 2010 Nissan Pathfinder is rated a dismal 12 mpg.
The tough Pathfinder features short overhangs and good ground clearance, and its four-wheel-drive system has an electronically controlled transfer case with a separate low range and auto mode that switches to four-wheel mode once slip occurs. Storage-wise, the 2010 Pathfinder is able to swallow up a large amount of gear, both on top of and inside the car. On the outside, a 200-pound-capacity roof rack is standard on the 2010 Nissan Pathfinder, including a handle to help when loading. The interior is configured to make the most of the Pathfinder's space, with a flat-fold passenger seat in front, a 40/20/40-split second row, and a 50/50-split third row.
The Pathfinder's ride is firm and a bit choppy, as you might expect from a truck-based SUV. Electronic stability control is standard, and side impact and side curtain airbags are standard for 2010. The Nissan Pathfinder has been crash-tested by the federal government, receiving four-star ratings for frontal impact and top five-star ratings for side impact. The IIHS also awards the Pathfinder top "good" ratings for frontal and side impact, but "marginal" in rear impact protection.
Options for all models include a navy system with a 9.3GB Music Box entertainment system, Bluetooth compatibility, and Bose sound. Meanwhile, LE models can be optioned with Nissan’s Intelligent Key system and the above-mentioned DVD system.