Review

Review: Nissan R52 Pathfinder (2013-20)

4 stars

  • Refined 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine
  • Comfortable ride
  • Spacious and versatile interior
  • Quiet, well-insulated cabin
  • Well-weighted steering
  • CVT judder problem requires transmission replacement
  • Flat seats lack support
  • Some bodyroll when cornering
  • Not particularly fuel-efficient
  • Driveline vibrations in 4WD mode
  • Hard dashboard plastics

Review: Nissan R52.I Pathfinder (2013-16)

Overview

Released in October 2013, the Nissan R52 Series I (R52.I) Pathfinder was a seven-seat SUV. Manufactured in Tennessee, United States, the R52 Pathfinder was available in front- and all-wheel drive models, both of which had 3.5-litre V6 petrol engines that were mated to continuously variable transmissions (Nissan’s ‘Xtronic’).

Nissan R52.I Pathfinder: VQ35DE engine

The 3.5-litre VQ35DE V6 petrol engine had an aluminium alloy cylinder block and head, cast iron cylinder liners, forged steel connecting rods, a micro-finished one-piece forged crankshaft, low-friction molybdenum-coated pistons, double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder, variable intake valve timing and a compression ratio of 10.3:1.

Nissan R52.I Pathfinder specifications
Variant Engine Drive Trans. Peak power Peak torque
ST,
ST-L,
Ti		 3.5-litre petrol V6
(VQ35DE)		 FWD,
AWD		 CVT 190 kW at 6400 rpm 325 Nm at 4400 rpm

AWD system

The Nissan R52 Pathfinder was fitted with Nissan’s ‘All Mode 4×4-i’ system which utilised an electronically-controlled coupling. The system had three drive modes which could be selected via a rotary knob on the centre console:

  • 2WD: front-wheel drive only;
  • AUTO: predominantly front-wheel drive but with a predictive mode which could anticipate the risk of wheel spin based on throttle position and engine torque. As such, up to 50 per cent of the engine’s torque could be redirected to the rear axle if required; and,
  • LOCK: permanent four-wheel drive with a 50:50 front:rear torque split for speeds of up 40 km/h.

Dimensions and suspension

Compared to the Nissan R51 Pathfinder , the R52 Pathfinder was 195 mm longer (at 5008 mm), 112 mm wider (1960 mm), 2 mm lower (1768 mm) and had a 47 mm longer wheelbase (2900 mm). However, whereas the R51 Pathfinder shared its body-on-frame chassis with the  D40 Navara , the R52 Pathfinder was based on Nissan’s D platform which also underpinned the Z51 Murano . As such, the R52 Pathfinder had MacPherson strut front suspension and independent, multi-link rear suspension.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the Nissan R52 Pathfinder included dual front airbags, front side airbags, full-length curtain airbags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters. 

ANCAP crash testing

In ANCAP crash testing , the Nissan R52 Pathfinder received a five star adult occupant protection rating with a score of 35.73 out of 37. In the offset crash test, occupant protection was generally rated as good, though protection of the driver’s thighs and lower right leg were rated as acceptable (i.e. a slight risk of serious injury). Maximum points, however, were awarded in the side impact and pole tests.

Features: Pathfinder ST, ST-L and Ti

Standard features for the Nissan R52 Pathfinder ST included 18-inch alloy wheels with 235/65 R18 tyres, a six speaker sound system with a CD/DVD player, MP3-compatibility, auxiliary inputs (3.5mm/USB/iPod/RCA) 2GB hard drive and a seven-inch colour display, three-zone climate control air conditioning, an eight-way power adjustable driver’s seat, cruise control, steering wheel audio controls, a rear view camera with path prediction, rear parking sensors, Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity, a leather-accented steering wheel and gearshift knob, push-button start, 60/40 split second row seats, 50/50 split and flat folding third row seats, remote central locking with proximity key, power windows and mirrors, a tilt adjustable steering column, four 12 volt power outlets, tyre pressure monitoring, rear privacy glass, roof rails, a trip computer and an immobiliser.

The Pathfinder ST-L was further equipped with heated front seats, leather accented seat and door trim, power lumbar adjustment for the driver’s seat, a power adjustable front passenger seat, heated door mirrors, front fog lights, a power adjustable steering column (tilt only), an electrochromatic rear view mirror, front sunroof with manual sunshade and a panoramic glass roof with power sunshade.

The range-topping Pathfinder Ti was distinguished by its 20-inch alloy wheels with 235/55 R20 tyres, thirteen speaker Bose sound system with a 9GB hard drive, satellite navigation with an eight-inch display, heated and cooled front seats, Nissan’s ‘Around View Monitor’, dual second row seven-inch DVD monitors, third row auxiliary A/V inputs, driver memory settings (for the driver’s seat, steering column and mirrors) and power-operated tailgate.

Brochure

Related links

Review: Nissan R52.II Pathfinder (2016-20)

Overview

Commencing production in late 2016 and officially released in Australia in March 2017, the Nissan R52 Series II (R52.II) Pathfinder introduced a new VQ35DD engine, active safety technologies for the ST-L and Ti variants, and revised suspension. Visually, the R52.II Pathfinder could be identified by its ‘V-Motion’ grille, headlights with boomerang-shaped LED daytime running lights, more aggressive bonnet, new front bumper and fog lights, door mirrors with integrated indicator lights, and new tail-lights.

In April 2019, the Pathfinder range was expanded with the introduction of an ST+ variant.

Nissan R52.II Pathfinder: VQ35DD engine

The R52.II Pathfinder was powered by Nissan’s VQ35DD engine which – relative to the VQ35DE engine which it replaced – introduced direct fuel injection (Nissan’s ‘Direct Injection Gasoline’ or DIG system). Other changes for the VQ35DD engine included a mirror-bore cylinder coating in place of the cast iron liners (reducing friction and weight), new pistons, a new intake manifold, e-VTC (electronic Variable Timing Control) and a higher compression ratio of 11.0:1 (previously 10.3:1).

Nissan R52.II Pathfinder specifications
Variant Engine Drive Trans. Peak power Peak torque
ST,
ST+,
ST-L,
Ti		 3.5-litre petrol V6
(VQ35DD)		 FWD,
AWD		 CVT 202 kW at 6400 rpm 340 Nm at 4800 rpm

Suspension and steering

Suspension changes for the Nissan R52.II Pathfinder included stiffer front and rear shock absorbers (by 11 and 7 per cent, respectively), the introduction of rebound springs for the front struts, and a 25 per cent higher spring rate for the rear rebound springs. According to Nissan, these changes provided better body control. Furthermore, a revised valve design contributed to an 11 per cent faster steering ratio, while Nissan also claimed improved cornering feel.

Safety equipment

For the Nissan R52.II Pathfinder ST-L and Ti, standard safety equipment was extended to include the following –

  • Forward Collision Warning (FCW): uses a radar sensor to monitor traffic in front of the Pathfinder. If the distance to the vehicle ahead decreased such that there was a risk of collision, an audible warning would be emitted and a visual signal would appear on the instrument panel;
  • Intelligent Emergency Braking: if the driver did not respond to the Forward Collision Warning System, the brakes would be applied automatically to reduce vehicle speed so that the collision could be avoided or its severity reduced. It is understood that Intelligent Emergency Braking operated at speeds between 10 km/h and 80 km/h;
  • Blind Spot Warning: if a vehicle was detected in the driver’s blind spot, an indicator in the front door pillar on the same side as the vehicle would illuminate to warn the driver. If the driver activated the indicator to change lanes, a warning chime would sound as an additional warning;
  • Rear Cross Traffic Alert: when reversing out of a parking space, Rear Cross Traffic Alert could detect approaching vehicles that could cross the Pathfinder’s intended path and provide an audible alert;
  • Intelligent Cruise Control: when cruise control was active, Intelligent Cruise Control could adjust vehicle speed to maintain a specified distance from the vehicle ahead and accelerate up to the cruising speed once the path was clear; and,
  • Moving Object Detection: an extension of the Around View Monitor (AVM) system which used four cameras, Moving Object Detection could detect moving objects around the Pathfinder when it was in park or moving slowly. If detected, the driver would receive visual and audible warnings.

From April 2019, the Nissan R52.II Pathfinder was equipped – as standard – with Forward Collision Warning, Intelligent Emergency Braking, Blind Spot Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Intelligent Cruise Control. These items had previously been omitted from the Pathfinder ST.

Features: Pathfinder ST, ST-L and Ti

Compared to the R52.I Pathfinder ST, standard features for the Nissan R52.II Pathfinder ST were extended to include 18-inch alloy wheels, eight-inch colour touch screen, Bluetooth audio streaming and voice recognition, and LED daytime running lights. The R52.II Pathfinder also featured Nissan’s ‘Advanced Drive-Assist Display’ (ADAD); positioned between the tachometer and speedometer, the ADAD provided additional infotainment and driver assistance information.

From April 2019, the Nissan R52.II Pathfinder was equipped with a Type C USB port for the second row seats.

Relative to the R52.I Pathfinder ST-L, the Nissan R52.II Pathfinder ST-L gained a Bose audio system with thirteen speakers, satellite navigation with traffic monitoring and Nissan’s ‘Intelligent Around View Monitor’. Additional features over the Pathfinder ST included an eight-way power adjustable driver’s seat, a four-way power adjustable front passenger seat, heated front seats, leather-accented seat trim (in black or ivory), front fog lamps, heated door mirrors, stainless steel front kickplates and an electrochromatic rear view mirror.

Compared to the R52.I Pathfinder Ti, the Nissan R52.II Pathfinder Ti gained 20-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, an upgraded second row entertainment system (with dual screens, wireless headphones, a remote control and HDMI/USB ports) and a motion-activated tailgate that could be opened by a wave of the owner’s foot under the centre of the tailgate. Relative to the Pathfinder ST-L, the Pathfinder Ti was further equipped with ventilated front seats, a driver’s seat memory function, remote engine start and automatic downward tilting of the door mirrors when reversing.

2018 Nissan Pathfinder ST-L N-Sport

The front-wheel drive Nissan Pathfinder ST-L N-Sport was released in August 2018. Visually, the Pathfinder ST-L N-Sport could be identified by its 20-inch black painted alloy wheels, black front grille, black door mirror caps, black grille accents (front and rear) and black roof rails. The Nissan Pathfinder ST-L N-Sport was available in three paint finishes: Diamond Black, Gun Metallic and Ivory Pearl. Furthermore, Australian deliveries of the Pathfinder ST-L N-Sport were limited to two-hundred and fifty (250) vehicles.

April 2019 update

As noted above, the Pathfinder range was expanded with the introduction of an ST+ variant in April 2019. Compared to the Pathfinder ST, the Pathfinder ST+ was further equipped with Nissan’s ‘Intelligent Around View Monitor’, Moving Object Detection and satellite navigation. Furthermore,

  • The Pathfinder ST-L gained adaptive LED headlights; and,
  • The Pathfinder Ti gained heated rear seats and Nissan’s ‘Rear Door Alert’. Rear Door Alert would notify the driver if children were left unattended in the vehicle by sounding the horn three times if the driver walked away or locked the vehicle without opening a rear door.

Specifications

Related links

Related Articles to this model

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  3. Recalls & faults: Nissan R52 Pathfinder (2013-20)
Stephen Tomlinson
http://AustralianCar.Reviews

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