Just got out at lunch to test drive the new Pathfinder. Salesman brought the keys out and the first thing I did was lift the hood! I am getting pretty excited! We checked out the rest of the Pathy, interesting rear cargo/3rd seat area, nice finish look, plush for sure.

We took it for a quick spin. Much more torque than the X, of course. Drove like a car and felt pretty good. I like how they designed the dash, including well placed 12volt outlets.

The front end looks really nice in person. I did not like the tail gate, either too low or just minivanish.

The undercarriage is nice, clean and plenty of clearance. This is the type of vehicle that will get you to the slopes, but that's about it.

From a distance however, the Pathy looks a lot smaller in person that in the marketing photos (I guess that means well taken photos!) It is definately a smaller vehicle than expected.

Can't wait for the '05 X... sign me up if it is going to be up to par with the new Pathy! (Minus the leather, heated seats, blah blah.) Night Armor, Offroad, Auto! Same 270hp 29lbft engine please!!!

Actually it will be 265hp/284tq in the Xterra, but it is the same engine. Just minor tuning/exhaust differences, I suppose.

Well it only makes sense that the Pathy would enjoy a little edge in the engine department, gotta have something to show for shelling out the extra bucks besides a third-row seat and IRS

I was impressed with the low-trim SE model I checked out last week. Didn't get a chance to drive it, but the features and interior were pleasing, not overdone and rediculous. I'm sure the LE trim would make me puke.

Brent

270hp 29lbft engine ??
What is it, a really small jet turbine?

I drove a 2005 Frontier and 2005 Tacoma yesterday. Too bad I can't talk in detail about it until December 1st.

Bastard!! but can you say wether you like the new, non-metallic bed of the Tacoma?? Lighter, tougher, not prone to rust....but may not wear like steel...

Actually, the Tacoma is at dealerships now, so you can see for your self. I've always been a Toyota fan, but the new Tacoma has some serious problems. The wind noise was intolerable. The exhaust is the lowest part of the truck at the transfer case and won't last 2 minutes off road (Toyota even pinched it to make more clearance instead of routing it 10 inches further back).
The shifter is horribly designed (you can look at it funny and it will slip from D to N). The drive by wire throttle has over 1 inch of free play where nothing happens (push the pedal down, and the RPM stays the same, scary).
Nice fit and finish, nice looking truck, but for a lot less money I'd buy a Frontier.

Saw one of the new Tacoma's the other day. Looked nice from the cab of my engine looking down at it.

I agree the Pathy is smaller in person. Did you try to get in the back seat? Forget about trying to get in the third row seats.
The X will have more room in the backseat because they won't have to move it up closer to the front seat to provide room for a third row.

Anyone have a good clear picture of the night armor color? The small picture in the design area on nissanusa.com does not get big or clear enough to really show the true color.

Thanks, 03Xterraman

Sorry, 291 lb ft. The 1 and l got lost in typing. My bad. These are the stats that Nissan shows on their "take-along-brochurs"

The back seat was very easy to get into. The back door is HUGE. We did not get into the 3rd row seating but it was impressive how out of sight and functional it can be with it down.

So Ian... are you saying that the Frontier has a definate edge? This will be fun when it gets here and get to drive it. I am stoked that the same 4.0 will be in the X. Did they have the Frontier in Denver? I bet it was a blast... hope the locker is all we wanted it to be!

I looked at a Tacoma yesterday. First impressions are it's huge and I like the long bed option and the bedliner setup and the 110 power inverter in the bed. The cab is bigger and wider. Dash had that new quasi futureistic look. I am however waiting for the Frontier I drove a Titan over the weekend and loved it, so I'm hoping the Frontier will provide some similitaries in power and room, but I'm not expecting miracles. Ian, thanks for the early word. Is Dec 1st when the new Frontier comes out. Could you at least give us a or on the new Frontier?

Yeah splanind, don't you work for a Toyota dealer? They don't have one or you can't provide some inside info?

Yeah Corp Nissan has the front of their bulding screened with a huge transparent print of the new Pathy with a nice offroad/exploring theme & caption. I will try to take a picture next time I go by in the daylight.

Thanks for the review, Sounds like the 3rd row is just for the kids. Fold flat or removable?

I like the removable ones in my cruiser; the kids don't mine climbing in through the tailgate but there really is not enough room if you're over ~ 5'.

Big whoopdee doo for you.

Seriously I like the new fronty a lot and would buy one. Made a strong impression on me when the local Nissan geeks where hyping them early last month.

Fold flat.

Drove the 05' Pathy today, it was the baseline model but still had what would seem like upgraded features alloy wheels, power drivers seat. It drove like a car. The fold flat seats are a good upgrade but the third row would leave little desired for an adult, there is no footwell back there (climbing back to that third row is a chore in itself). Lots of pickup and handling was good, can't wait to see the X.

I was excited about the new 05 Pathy, but when I got to the dealer and checked it out, I wasn't that impressed. I'd rather have my X.

Isn't the pathy based off a uni-body frame?

No way in hell.

It was, but the new redesign is based on the same platform/design as the Armada/Titan/Frontier/etc......