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2013 Nissan Pathfinder

71 messages,  Last post on May 05, 2013 at 10:12 AM

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What is this discussion about? Nissan Pathfinder, Nissan, SUV

    

Messages Page 3 of 8

#12 of 71 First Drive! by kartdad

Oct 28, 2012 (9:34 am)

Local dealer called me Saturday morning and had received their first 2013 Pathfinder. My wife and I went down and checked it out. Very impressive in person. Its was a Platinum with 4 wheel drive and Premium package....so fully loaded. We have looked at the Highlander Limited and Pilot Touring and were waiting for this to drop so we could compare. Here are my thoughts.
I will start with interior.
 
1. Interior room is fantastic. The third row access is super easy and the 3rd row even reclines.
2. Quality of leather is above the Highlander and Pilot.
3. Controls look daunting at first but after test driving it, they are very easy to learn and use. Much easier thatn Pilot but not as simple as the Highlander.
4. Lots of sq. ft of plastic on the dash, but I have never cared since I don't sit or rub the dash for long periods of time.
5. Console storage is ample and there are more than enough smaller storage areas like cupholders available.
6. Headroom and legroom were comfortable for me being 6'2. I am confident people that are taller will have no issues.
7. FOlding seats flat for moving something big is a snap and the rear storage compartment is large enough to carry some small items like shoes, small boxes, purses.
8. Panaromaic roof is cool. We have one in our Venza and it does brighten up the interior.
 
Exterior
1. So much better in person than online. The lines of the rig flow very nicely.
2. There is a nice balance or metal, chrome, and plastic.
3. The wheels on the platinum look good!
4. Power liftgate is adjustable....meaning you can set it to only go up so far if you have limited garage access.
5. The all around view camera is a trip! Will take some getting used to when look at all different sides of the car. The rear view camera is cool in the fact that as you turn the wheel, the lines on the display move with it to show you where you will be backing up to.
6. Step in height is perfect...not too high for a avg. sized person.
7. Visibility was decent. I thought the highlander was a bit better, but I think this is similar to the Pilot.
 
Technology
1. Stereo is top notch. Similar to the top of the line system in the Highlander and definitely better than the Pilot Touring system.
2. The tri zone enterntainment system is a nice feature vs the one screen overhead systems in the pilot and highlander, but to be honest we don't really care. Our kids use ipads or other stuff to entertain themselves on longer trips, but you can't get the Panoramic roof on the Platinum without getting this system. We didn't get a chance to actually use it on the test drive though.
3. Like above the around view monitor is very useful feature and the programmable remote key fob is nice feature. Remote start, setting of climate controls, and even the heated/cooled seats can be programmed and then you can remote start the rig.
4. It has both backup camera and rear sensors. The Pilot Touring does too, but highlander does not.
5. The toughscreen display is very clear...similar to Toyota but easier to touch and access vs the Pilot.
6. The driver info screen between the speedo and tachometer is handy of instant info. Reminds me of a similar screen at the top of the dash in the Highlander and Venza. Same function with trip and mileage info, but Pathfinder shows more items like 4x4 drive status and tire pressures.
 
Performance
1. Drives wonderfully! The CVT that some were skeptical when it comes to performance and noise under acceleration were not apparent on our drive. It was very smooth and noise was no more than any other crossover rigs I have driven.
2. Felt very stable in cornering and brakes had little fade.
3. Doesn't feel as big when you are behind the wheel.
4. More driver feedback vs. the Highlander and the very numb pilot. Meaning you felt like you were really involved and engaged driving the pathfinder. More car-like feel and performance. The Highlander is similar but still not as fun. The Pilot felt very spartan and somewhat boring to drive...even spirited driving the pilot felt like it was a chore.
 
Overall impression
We are definitely interested in it. They only had the one and it was white with black leather. We don't want white so when more start to roll in, we will most likely buy one. The white wants the Platinum, fully loaded.
 
The highlander is a close second based on price and overall quality, but if really feels small and light...which isn't necessarily a bad thing. Had the pathfinder not been re-done, I would buy a Highlander today.
 
The Pilot, although the touring is fantastic just doesn't measure up. I really like it though. I htink the styling, albeit a bit boxy is fine. But the interior doesn't have the finish and feel of the Toyota and Nissan. And real world MPG can't compare to the Pathfinder.
 
I think the Pathfinder compares more to an Acura MDX, but with MUCH better mpg.
 
If you are on the fence about a crossover, thrid seat mini-suv...go check it out. It's worth a look.

#13 of 71 Re: First Drive! [kartdad] by berri

Oct 29, 2012 (5:31 pm)

Replying to: kartdad (Oct 28, 2012 9:34 am)
It sounds nice. You'll probably want to wait a few months until inventory builds up and prices come down. Incidentally, I believe new Highlander and Pilot models are due for 2014. May come out sometime in 2013. Don't know anything about them other than the Pilot is supposed to move away from the boxy look and the Highlander is thought to get a bit bigger inside.

#14 of 71 Re: First Drive! [berri] by kartdad

Oct 29, 2012 (8:18 pm)

Replying to: berri (Oct 29, 2012 5:31 pm)
I have a good friend that is sales manager at my local dealer that has already given me a great price on new Pathfinder. I don't see the 2014 Highlander being too much of a departure from current model. Even if it is a bit bigger, that doesnt sway me enough, and Toyota won't drastically change the vehicle that may infringe on Forerunner sales. And the Pilot would have to be very different for me to even consider it. I would think they wouldn't want to make it too nice that would bite into the MDX. Would rather have an MDX before a Pilot.

#15 of 71 Re: First Drive! [kartdad] by famouspaint

Oct 30, 2012 (9:34 am)

Replying to: kartdad (Oct 28, 2012 9:34 am)
Sounds just as great as I heard about. I am waiting for my local dealer to let me know when they have one to look at. I'm in the Cincinnati area.
 
Where are you located that the dealer has received one.

#16 of 71 Re: First Drive! [famouspaint] by kartdad

Oct 30, 2012 (11:54 am)

Replying to: famouspaint (Oct 30, 2012 9:34 am)
I am up in the Seattle area. There are a few dealers that have one in stock. But I would think it would be a few weeks until they get a decent stock of colors and trim levels. Nissan really did a nice job. I have never been a buyer of Nissan products but after seeing this a few months ago on the internet, we had to check it out when looking for the crossover type of third row vehicle.
 
It is head and shoulders above anything domestic. The fit and finish are top notch. I have looked at everything in this category and although the GMC Arcadi Denali looks great and the interior is nice, the ride is rougher and the MPG is awful and its more money for less stuff.
 
Once they get the color I am looking for in, I am going to take it for the weekend and get a real world MPG on it for the type of driving we do. I am hoping that will be around 22-23.
 
There are a few good videos of road tests online that show the performance both on and off road. I won't take it out in deep mud (I have a truck for that) but I would feel good about being in snow or driving on unpaved roads.

#17 of 71 Price?? by famouspaint

Oct 30, 2012 (1:58 pm)

Thank you for the information. I am looking for about the same thing you are. I definitely want the around view cameras but don't want the entertainment system that has the monitors in the front head rests.
 
Did you get any feel for an asking price other than MSRP??
 
Thanks

#18 of 71 Re: Price?? [famouspaint] by kartdad

Oct 30, 2012 (10:06 pm)

Replying to: famouspaint (Oct 30, 2012 1:58 pm)
I am looking at paying close to invoice for it but a good friend is also one of the sales managers. I have no idea what they will sell for in terms of actual price. I did see a few dealers on autotrader listing them for almost $3000 under MSRP.
 
Nissan (and its dealers) will have to decide whether to:
 
1) try to keep inventory tight to keep selling prices strong but risk low sales on a new model which isn't good considering how many pathfinders they sold in 2012 OR
 
2) keep inventory moving and sell for a more aggresive price to help move up the number of units sold which would be good for business overall.
 
I don't really want the entertainment system either but it comes standard if you want the panaromic sunroof that comes with the premium package on the Platinum model. I wish that Nissan would have made the sunroof a stand alone option so you wouldn't be obligated to buy the extra entertainment system.

#19 of 71 Pathfinder commercial by famouspaint

Oct 31, 2012 (1:05 pm)

I agree it would be nice for Nissan to offer the moonroof without any other items. If I read the brochure correctly, you will get a small moonroof without the entertainment package big rear roof.
 
I saw the first TV commercial for the 2013 Pathfinder on local station last night. Hope this means that the cars will be arriving at the dealers soon.
 
I'll keep you informed as to how I do.

#20 of 71 Re: Pathfinder commercial [famouspaint] by kartdad

Oct 31, 2012 (8:52 pm)

Replying to: famouspaint (Oct 31, 2012 1:05 pm)
The moonroof is only available with the Premium package. I don't see anywhere in my brochure about it being a standard feature on any of the models. Would be nice if it was though!
 
Keep us posted.

#21 of 71 November Numbers by samny1

Nov 01, 2012 (8:47 am)

Hi Steve,
 
   When you are able to find out the November numbers for a 2013 Pathfinder SL Premium and Pathfinder Platinum could you please post them for 36 months and 10K or 12k. All would be for top tier credit? NYC metropolitan area, Westchester county.
 
Thanks,
 
Stephen

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