Reader Review: 2022 Nissan Pathfinder Platinum 4WD

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Airdrie driver Chris Skelton discovered there was plenty to like in the 2022 Nissan Pathfinder Platinum 4WD. Discussing the vehicle near the end of his seven days with the Pathfinder, and near the time he’d have to return it in Calgary, Skelton says, “It’s just a stupendous vehicle, and one I’d recommend. In fact, I don’t want to take it back, and I could quite happily keep it.”

Except for one thing – Skelton’s wife, Jacqui, discovered the four-way power adjustable front passenger seat is not height adjustable – and she wanted to raise it. Self-described as ‘average’ in height, she could see over the dashboard, but wasn’t overly impressed. Apparently, for the 2023 model year, Nissan has addressed the issue. On Nissan.ca, the ’23 Platinum specifications indicate a 10-way power adjustable seat.

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“I thought she was joking when she told me that seat wasn’t height adjustable, even with a manual lever, and had to take a look for myself,” Skelton says. “She wasn’t joking, and that surprised me.” That aside, the Pathfinder shone in all other aspects.

Redesigned for the 2022 model year, the Pathfinder is now in its fifth generation. Built on Nissan’s ‘D Platform’ the seven- or eight-passenger SUV, depending on second-row seating options, has a naturally aspirated 3.5 litre V6 engine paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission under the hood.

Skelton’s top-of-the-range Platinum model would have cost him just a bit more than $57,000 if he’d chosen to buy it. Finished in a two-tone Obsidian Green Pearl – a dark pearlescent paint – with a black roof, Skelton calls the SUV, “Ruggedly handsome,” and continues, “the way it’s been shaped, it’s not too boxy, especially at the back where the hatch is located. It’s purposeful, without looking too utilitarian. It’s also not intimidating in its size.”

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Skelton also liked the way the headlights flanked the grille and then swooped up into the sides of the hood. Overall ride height was considered acceptable, but he’d add the optional running boards to help reach a cargo box atop the Nissan’s black roof rails, should he elect to carry rooftop cargo.
Getting in, Skelton thought the interior was “superb.” “It’s very well made and the equipment level is outstanding,” he says. “There’s quite possibly everything in the Pathfinder Platinum that you could possibly ever want, and possibly ever need with many bells and whistles.”

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The Pathfinder Platinum is equipped with niceties including a panoramic moonroof, 13-speaker Bose audio system, heated and cooled front seats, heated steering wheel and nine-inch colour touchscreen. On the Platinum, seating surfaces are a semi-aniline leather with quilted inserts.

“I was settled within a couple of minutes,” Skelton says of his initial introduction. “The controls are intuitive to locate and to manipulate. The heated steering wheel is power adjustable with a little toggle switch, and that was easy to operate.”
Driving the Pathfinder during minus double-digit temperatures, Skelton appreciated the three-position heat settings of the driver’s seat. He didn’t find the warmest setting too hot, either, and left it there. The heated steering wheel was also a bonus.

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“It gets warm quickly, but it’s also never too hot,” he says of the heated wheel that has almost become something of a necessity in colder climates.

While most functions of the Pathfinder could be performed through touchscreen controls, Skelton likes tactile knobs and buttons. The Pathfinder did have manual heating and cooling controls, and these Skelton liked. One feature Skelton soon switched off was the head up display, or HUD.

“The dashboard gauges are very clear and easy to see, and I found the HUD to be more of a distraction than a help,” he explains, but he couldn’t immediately find a way to turn it off. “For that, I had to look in the substantially thick Owner’s Manual, and it was surprisingly simple, it is a button just to the left of the steering column. One click, and it’s gone from view.”

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Nissan’s V6 makes 284 horsepower and 259 pound-feet of torque, and this was more than adequate, Skelton says, to put its driving force to all four corners of the vehicle. “It’s got a very smooth and linear power delivery,” he adds. Previous Pathfinders have had a CVT transmission. Moving to a more traditional nine-speed automatic for the ’22 models was a good decision, Skelton figures. “I found it smoother than a CVT, and the powertrain was impressive enough for the size of the vehicle – it’s not underpowered. Over my time with it, the Pathfinder averaged 11.6L/100km, and I could live with that if it was mine.”

Skelton commuted between Airdrie and Calgary on a daily basis, and also drove west to Cochrane. He felt well-connected to the vehicle at all times, noting the steering was well-weighted and the ride wasn’t harsh. “The brakes are good,” he says, “but they just weren’t as sharp as I like them. I haven’t pushed the pedal and hoped for me, they just aren’t as responsive.”

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Skelton is five-feet 11-inches tall, and he tried out the second row captain’s chairs for comfort. There was plenty of leg and headroom. He did not attempt to get into the third row seats, but reports do indicate there is room for an adult to be comfortable in that last row. “If it were my vehicle, I’d pretty much fold that third row down and keep it down, as it does fold flat, to take advantage of the cargo space,” he says.

Skelton thinks the Pathfinder Platinum would best suit a family with two older kids, ones who could take advantage of the second row seats with their separate climate controls and USB ports.

“Or somebody like us,” he says. “Two adults without kids who occasionally need extra seats for carrying passengers, and just want a nice vehicle for a daily driver that would be a good all-rounder for the city and the highway and feel confident in all conditions.
“I thoroughly enjoyed driving the Pathfinder.”

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DRIVER’S JOURNAL

DAY 1

This is the top of the range Platinum spec, and therefore it is fully loaded and the only options available are accessories like carpet mats etc. The vehicle had 10,070 km on it, and the display was showing a 660 km range on a full tank of fuel, and for a vehicle of this size, weight, and power I think that’s pretty good. Only time will tell over the week. Picked up two large bags of empty bottles, and with my hands full, the kick switch under the rear bumper proved very useful to open the rear hatch. Folded the third row seats down simply, and the cargo area was significantly larger and swallowed them with ease.

DAY 2

Spent time getting to know the touchscreen, which is large, bright, and easy to read.
Planned to drive into Calgary and wanted to test how easy it was to program the GPS, and how fast it would re-calculate the route if I deliberately deviated from it. Heading into Calgary, the ride was smooth and quiet. The Bose sound system was crystal clear playing the Sirius XM station, and I thought to myself, that this is a very nice place to sit. I was enjoying the drive a lot, and it was time to test how fast the GPS system would re-calculate the route when I turned off before it was expecting me to. The answer was almost instantly. It gave new directions within seconds and adjusted the route map on the display.

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DAY 3

Not much mileage today as it was only a short drive to the supermarket. With the temperature dropping into the minus double digits, it was time to test out the remote start feature. From the key, you need to press the lock button, and then press and hold the start button for at least 2 seconds. If you don’t have line of sight on the vehicle there is no audible or visual indication that the start was successful using the key. I’m not sure if there is a Nissan App where you would get confirmation of a successful start?

DAY 4

Decided to take the Pathfinder out to Cochrane with my wife, Jacqui, to have a wander. Discovered the passenger seat is non-height adjustable. We took Hwy 567 from Airdrie out to the east side of Cochrane. Tested the cruise control. It is simple to set. I deliberately chose this road as it is undulating and a good test of how the cruise control system deals with hills. On the descent, I could feel the system using the brakes to slow the vehicle down and, on the inclines, the kickdown could be felt (and heard) to increase the power and maintain the speed. Overall, I was pleased with how it worked. Averaged 8.5L/100km – which was the best fuel efficiency recorded by the vehicle to date — very happy with that.

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DAY 5

Back to work, so it’s time to see how it handles the commute from Airdrie to NE Calgary. First time I’ve driven this vehicle in the dark, and the cabin is bathed in a very soothing ambient light, which goes all the way along the underside of the dashboard and illuminates the mirror and window controls on the doors, which is a very thoughtful touch.

DAY 6

The commute this morning saw the average fuel consumption drop below 9L/100kms, and the trip computer told me I averaged 8.8L/100kms. On the drive home, I decided to test the voice command system. Upon pushing the steering wheel button, you can use one of several commands, and there are many that the computer will talk you through. When you get the hang of it, it is an easy system to use, and in the most part works well, even with my English accent.

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DAY 7

Took a different route to work this morning. Colleagues were asking about the vehicle and I was happy to open it up; they were very impressed with the interior. Also decided to try Sport Mode, gives the vehicle a sportier performance. Engine settings change to hold the gear longer, and the throttle response is sharper. Appeared not to affect economy that much, and trip computer was showing 10.2L/100km. I have been thinking recently about a concept which I refer to as a Forever Vehicle – one that will last until such time as you don’t want to drive any longer. The type of vehicle that has everything you could possibly want and need to enjoy driving. On the criteria I’ve thought about — comfortable, well equipped, reliable, fuel efficient (as much as a 3.5L V6 can be) this vehicle would certainly be on my short list.