Zivman, I agree, you probably won't get the most objective answer here - this is a site dedicated to X'es!

But that said, consider this. I have a FULL sized black lab (about 90lbs), you have a golden retreiver. In either case, they are not small dogs. If you plan to take yor goldie in the truck (you mention your wife does this all the time), do you want him/her on the seats? Especially after it's been out running in the snow/mud/lake/etc. as retrievers like to do? The X has a cargo area, the Pathy has the 3rd row. If your four-legged baby gets in all wet and stinky, do you really want it on the seats? With the Pathy, you have no choice. With the X, you have the cargo area...

-G-