Test drive Nissan Pathfinder 2013 - NV SUV

All photos of Nissan Pathfinder 2013 - NV

Nissan Pathfinder - better and ... cheaper

Recently, any modernization of the car was wrapped for the buyer with one large nuisance of prices in 90% of cases grew. Moreover, for very decent amounts. However, with a large Nissan Pathfinder SUV, something incredible updated car was cheaper! Has the car really got worse, but its equipment is poorer? Or maybe he received some modest three-cylinder engine? To understand what was the matter, Denis Smolyanov waited until the dust of the volcano with an easily memorable name Eyufyatlaiokudl dissipated, and flew to Barcelona. It was there that the first testing Pathfinder restyled and Navara pickup was held.

I must say right away that the main meaning of the modernization of Pathfinder and Navara is the new diesel engines. Previously, the situation was as follows: Pathfinder was equipped with a 4.0-liter gasoline six, which produced 269 hp, and a 174-horsepower 2.5-liter diesel engine (Navara had only the last unit). However, now the models will be offered to the buyer only diesel engines, and it was decided to abandon the owners of large SUVs even in Russia tired of calling for a gas station even in Russia. The base will be the same four -cylinder engine with a volume of 2.5 liters, which has undergone serious modernization: a new unit head has appeared, an electric drive is used in the control system control system (there used to be a hydraulic drive), from 1800 to 2000, the pressure in the injection system increased. But the above information only matters to specialists. And for 99% of drivers, another diesel will now be more important than 190 horses (+16 hp), and the torque will reach 450 nm (+ 47 nm). The indicators are already quite decent, especially if you recall that the engine not only added in power, but also became more economical.

The company will be the latest 3.0 liter diesel engine with six cylinders. Its peculiarity is that it has a cylinder block cast from the so -called CGI (Compected Graphite Iron) cast iron. This made it possible to make the engine only a little heavier than the similar units of competitors who have an aluminum alloy unit. The characteristics of the motor are very serious: 238 hp and as much as 550 nm. The maximum moment is achieved in the range from 1700 to 2500 revolutions, and 500 Newton are available from 1,500 rpm!

But the appearance of restyled machines has not changed. Unless the other became the grille of the radiator, a slightly changed the shape of the hood and front headlights, the larger rear -view mirrors appeared, in the corps of which there are now turns. It is also necessary to note the appearance of nozzles to clean the front headlights. Let us not forget about the new bumpers due to the front car length increased by 80 mm immediately and now is 4820 mm.

Eight languages, including Russian, can be used in the menu and navigation system. Bose Premium audio system is available as an option

It is also not worth counting on the appearance of a new salon either. If we consider the basic configurations, the changes are generally minimal: a new sealing fabric, chrome elements of the finish appeared, devices were changed, the shape of the door panels became a little different, there is a new switch of the full -wheel drive system. But in expensive versions, changes are more noticeable, because there is already a navigation system that has a 40 GB hard drive. There is another 9.3 GB drive, which is intended for music (records from more than 300 CDs are placed there). Moreover, it became possible to watch a video of the DVD player displays the image on the screen only when the car stands still and the hand brake is turned on.

Updated cars were received by the washers of the front headlights, as well as the USB-connector

These are the introductory data. Now let's see how updated cars behave on the road. Let's start with Pathfinder, because this SUV is sold in Russia much better than the Navara pickup. But when landing in the car, a little disappointment suffered me. It turns out that the Pathfinder test had a 2.5-liter engine and a mechanical gearbox. The combination for our market is not the most successful in Russia rarely buy such large SUVs with mechanics. And, to be honest, they do the right thing. The handle on Pathfinder does not differ in the clarity of switching, the rear is far from always possible to turn on the first time. Moreover, his hands felt that the program was cut, but sometimes it turned out that it was the sixth, and not at all the back! And in such cases to understand whether the car will go back or not, it was possible only according to the image that appeared on the screen from the rear view camera.

In front, Nissan Pathfinder and Navara do not differ from each other

As for the diesel engine, he made a good impression. Yes, it is clear that this is a motor of the old structure, there are noise and vibrations, but they fit into the framework of decency. The motor only votes when the driver drives the tachometer arrow above 3000 rpm. And with a calm driving style, diesel taggers do not interfere at all.

Pathfinder suspension is completely independent. This made it possible to achieve a worthy of such a controllability class, which is also combined with smoothness. If you go into turns at moderate speed, then Pathfinder is no different from an passenger car. If you increase the speed, then the rolls, of course, appear. However, they are not critical, and only make it clear to the driver that next time the leg from the gas pedal can be removed early.

Constantly check the off -road capabilities of Pathfinder in Spain. The route proposed by the organizers of the Off Road was good, but there was no place to crawl at a low with the risk of planting a car on the belly. Nevertheless, a trip on Spanish off -road allowed to understand that Pathfinder has good training: a powerful frame, an All Mode 4x4 all -wheel drive system, which itself connects the front wheels if necessary (you can also go with a rigidly blocked differential, but only on the off -road), which reduces a row. In the handout, the road clearance is 210 mm. A good set! For complete happiness, only mechanical inter-normal locks are not enough, however, the Nissanists assure that the electronics replaces them perfectly, since the All Mode 4x4 begins to work already when some wheel produces only a few degrees (not revolutions, namely degrees ). Moreover, this distribution is very gently and intelligent.

The updated Pathfinder and Navara received a new function - a speed limiter built into a cruise control system. The speed limiter may be especially useful in the city and on roads with high -speed radars. The driver can independently set the limit value of speed, which the car does not exceed. However, with a sharp press of the accelerator pedal, for example, for the detour of an unexpected obstacle, the action of the speed limiter automatically stops

Navara pickup has a simpler transmission. There are no electronic brains that are in charge of the transfer of torque. But there is the same function of the hard connection of all -wheel drive, the handout (the first lower allows you to even crawl with a turtle speed, which will be very useful on heavy off -road or when a heavy trailer must be pulled along the cracked road). Moreover, on Navara with a mechanical box there is also a blocking of the rear inter -long differential!

The volume of the luggage compartment in Pathfinder with a third row of seats raised is 190 liters. If it is folded, then the volume will increase to 515 liters. The maximum trunk capacity is 2091 l. It is also worth noting that in the salon of the SUV there are up to six holders for glasses and bottles

But Navara was interesting for completely different reasons, this car was equipped with the latest 3.0-liter diesel engine, which worked in tandem with a 7-speed automatic (machines with a 2.5-l engine are equipped with a 5-speed automatic transmission). Immediately say this combination liked it. And I didn’t just like it, but I liked the damn thing. The modern machine operates very correctly, the transmission switches smoothly, and besides, there is a manual mode (this if you suddenly want to drive a little). And the new 3.0-liter diesel is generally a song. There is everything here. And power (238 hp), and a huge torque of 550 nm. And at the same time, the engine turned out to be very quiet, the vibrations are minimal, the thrust is great. In general, the offset, the theme of the diesel engine in Nissan in this case was disclosed. And if the difference in the cost of a 2.5-liter motor and a new diesel is not too large, then I would not hesitate to take the last option. Believe me, a 3.0-liter motor is better, much better! And it is completely clear why the Japanese decided to abandon a 4.0-liter monster gasoline. He just doesn't need it. You can recall, however, that a 2.5-liter unit is a little more economical. Formally it is. But the difference in the consumption is on average only about 0.5 liters. And in this case, this half-liter can be safely sacrificed for the sake of the opportunity to accelerate 0-100 for 8.9 s.

Navara is capable of transporting a load weighing up to 900 kg, the mass of the towed trailer up to 3000 kg. Pathfinder can drag a trailer weighing up to 3500 kg.

And Navara liked her comfort. No wonder this car is the most expensive pickup in our market. By and large, if you do not look back, then you will not feel the special difference in behavior on the road between Pathfinder with a completely independent suspension and Navara Especially if you load the luggage compartment a bit, in fact, the organizers of the test drive did just that the back there was a large box with stones weighing as much as 200 kg. Such a little trick. Although there is another explanation of the Navara wheelbase was immediately 347 mm more than Pathfinder and reached 3200 mm. And this is a lot to compare such giants as Toyota Land Cruiser 200 or Infiniti QX56 have a smaller base!

At the very beginning of the article, it was already said that the updated Pathfinder has become cheaper than the old model. If at the beginning of the year the SUV with a 2.5-liter diesel engine cost from 1,603,000 rubles, now this car can be bought with 1,493,500 rubles in your pocket. Moreover, the setting of the model will be very worthy: six airbags, a contrasting system and a helping system, separate climate control, heating chairs, music, 17-inch alloy wheels. True, such a car will be equipped with a mechanical gearbox, and only five seats will be in the cabin. A car with a machine gun in a better set with a seven -seater salon costs exactly 1.6 million rubles. (Previously, it was about 1,705,000 rubles). Well, the most gorgeous version of Pathfinder with a large screen, navigation system, leather salon, hatch, music with 9 speakers, air passenger air conditioning, xenon headlights, 18-inch discs and others cost 1,809,500 rubles.

And what do competitors offer? Let's see.
The most popular in this segment is Toyota Land Cruiser Prado (the two hundredth crual is still larger and noticeably more expensive). Last year, 5517 Prado was sold in Russia. The Japanese SUV is equipped with a 4.0-liter gasoline engine (282 hp) and a 3.0-liter diesel engine (183 hp). A car with the last power unit can be bought for 1,805,000 rubles. And the car with skin, navigation and other bells flare costs 2,336,500 rubles. True, the equipment of such a Prado will be better than Pathfinder, because the Toyota SUV in the prestige version is equipped with a JBL musical system with 14 speakers, an advanced CRAWL Control driving system, forced locking rear differential, four vehicles on the perimeter of the car
Mitsubishi Pajero is also well sold in Russia, which can also be equipped not only with a gasoline engine (3.8 liters, 250 hp), but also with diesel. The volume of the latter supplies 3.2 liters, but its power is the same as that of the Pathfinder diesel 190 hp. And the torque of the Nissan Motor is even higher than 450 nm versus 441 nm at Pajero. The most affordable diesel Mitsubishi Pajero with a manual box costs 1,484,000 rubles, and an automatic machine 1,545,000 rubles. True, in the Pajero database there are only two pillows, but there is xenon and the rear air conditioner. A car with a leather salon, hatch, DVD player and navigation system costs 1,883,000 rubles
Land Rover Discovery is sold in Russia immediately with three engines. The 2.7-liter diesel produces 188 hp. and 440 nm., And the new 3.0-liter 241 hp and 600 Nm. (For fans of fast driving there are also Discovery with a 5.0-liter gasoline V8: 370 hp, 510 nm). The simplest disco with a mechanical gearbox and a 2.7 liter diesel engine costs from 1,895,000 rubles. Moreover, the basic equipment here does not affect the imagination. It is approximately the same as that of competitors. The machine in the rich configuration HSE costs 2,363,000 rubles, Discovery HSE with a 3.0-liter diesel engine already 2,519,000 rubles
Hyundai IX55 can also be equipped with a diesel engine: 3.0 liters, 239 hp, 450 nm (there is also a machine with a gasoline engine of 3.8 liters, which produces 264 hp and 328 nm). Hyundai IX55 is sold in Russia in only one configuration called luxury, where there are already a lot of bells and whistles, including a leather interior (navigation, however, is not here). The price of diesel IX55 is 1,899,900 rubles. (gasoline machine costs 1,869,900 rubles)

Now let's see how much the updated Nissan Navara costs. The car in the basic version with two pillows, 16-inch steel disks, electric windows and mirrors, audio training (no head itself) is sold for 1,279,450 rubles. A pickup with a machine gun, side pillows and curtains for front and rear passengers, a stabilization system, 17-inch cast discs, separate climate and music costs 1,423,200 rubles. For the most sophisticated Navara with a leather salon, DVD player, navigation system, rear view camera and others are already asking for 1,602,700 rubles.

Interestingly, Navara has no direct competitors in Russia. After all, all the pickups sold from us have a much simpler decoration of the salon, and their equipment is noticeably more modest. But let's still study the prices for the most popular pickups we have.
The most popular pickup last year we had Mitsubishi L200. Now this machine is sold only with a 2.5-liter diesel engine (136 hp and 314 nm) and only with a mechanical gearbox (the supply of a car with an automaton is temporarily suspended). The easiest L200 can be bought for 699,000 rubles. The machine in the maximum configuration with alloyable discs for 16 inches, music, climate control costs 945,000 rubles.

Ford Ranger with a 2.5 liter diesel (143 hp, 330 nm) is also sold only with mechanics. Until the end of June, the Ranger has discounts, thanks to which the car costs from 968 100 rubles. (As soon as the discounts end, the Ranger will rise in price by 80,000 rubles.). The basic configuration includes two pillows, music, air conditioning, ABS, 15 inches steel disks. Ssangyong Actyon Sports pickup costs from 620,000 to 809,000 rubles. For a version with a automatic machine in the Luxury configuration. Mazda BT-50 (analogue of Ford Ranger) from 759,000 rubles. up to 1 032 000 rub.

Perhaps this is our journey in the world of pickups should be finished. For all the above models are not competitors of Navara Nissanists have their own commercial pickup called the NP-300, which competes with Ranger, BT-50 and L200. Nissan NP-300 costs from 835,000 rubles. up to 990,000 rubles. As for Navara, then, as already mentioned, this car plays in its league. And while he plays very well, because other pickups that could compare with Navara in terms of assembly of the salon, the number of bells and whistles, comfort and engine simply do not.

Denis Smolyanov
Photo by the author and manufacturers