Nissan Pathfinder 2008

What’s new, trim levels, optional equipment, and safety info for the 2008 Nissan Pathfinder.

May 2008

Introduction

For the first time in its 22-year history, Nissan is offering a V-8 engine in the mid-size, three-row Pathfinder SUV; the base engine remains the excellent and powerful 4.0-liter V-6 with 266 horsepower. Completely redesigned in 2005, the Pathfinder enters 2008 not only with a new, 310-hp V-8 but also with a host of exterior and interior design changes.

Built on the same F-Alpha body-on-frame platform that underpins the Nissan Xterra and Nissan Frontier, the Pathfinder is solid and sturdy, but it is a bit heavier than some of the newer crossover (unibody) sport-utility vehicles. The driving experience is sportier than the truckish body-on-frame architecture might lead one to believe, however. Pathfinders have good steering, strong brakes, and feel well-built. Adding a V-8 gives the Pathfinder impressive acceleration and boosts towing capacity to 7000 pounds.

The popularity of crossover-utility vehicles has eaten into the Pathfinder’s traditional body-on-frame SUV segment and the number of vehicles that compete against the Pathfinder continues to dwindle. Direct competitors (mid-size body-on-frame sport-utility vehicles) to the Pathfinder include the Chevrolet TrailBlazer, Ford Explorer, GMC Envoy, Toyota 4Runner, and the upcoming Kia Borrego. The Pathfinder is a standout in its segment thanks to its two powerful engines and its combination of decent on-road refinement and capability.

Pathfinders come in six different trim levels (S, SE V-6, SE Off-Road, SE V-8, LE V-6, and LE V-8) that encompass everything from the very basic to the off-road ready to luxurious and leather-lined. S and SE Off-Road are V-6 only, while Off-Road and SE V-8 models are 4WD only.

Verdict

The Pathfinder might not have the lighter structure and overtly carlike demeanor of a crossover utility vehicle, but it does offer a tougher look, excellent steering and handling, and the choice of two terrific and beefy engines. For those still shopping for a traditional SUV with three rows, the Pathfinder is among the best in its segment.

Click here to read our full review of the Nissan Pathfinder.

Click here to read our latest comparison test involving the Nissan Pathfinder.

What’s New for 2008

For 2008, the Pathfinder gets a revised interior that includes a richer-looking center console and instrument gauges. Other changes include new front and rear fascias and new wheel designs that attempt to give the Pathfinder a more up-to-date look. New optional equipment includes the 310-hp, 5.6-liter V-8 and a 9.3-gigabyte music storage system.

Trim Levels

At the bottom of the Pathfinder lineup is the S model that starts at $26,665 for rear-drive (2WD) and $28,665 for the four-wheel-drive (4WD) version. Standard equipment on the S includes the 266-hp, 4.0-liter V-6; a five-speed automatic transmission; stability control; anti-lock brakes; tire-pressure monitoring; front-seat active head restraints and seat-belt pretensioners; 16-inch aluminum wheels; roof rails; a towing hitch; air conditioning; power windows, doors, and locks; remote keyless entry; an alarm; cruise control; three-row seating; cloth upholstery; and an AM/FM/CD stereo with six speakers.

The next step up is the SE V-6 that costs $29,965 with 2WD and $31,965 with 4WD; the SE V-8 begins at $31,565 for 2WD and $33,815 for 4WD. SE models add fog lights, a back-up camera, an eight-way power driver’s seat, power adjustable pedals, auto dual-zone climate control, rear-seat air conditioning, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, steering-wheel-mounted audio and cruise controls, and an auxiliary music input. SE V-6s get 17-inch aluminum wheels while the SE V-8 gets 18-inch aluminum wheels.

For the buyer who intends to take their Pathfinder off-road or just wants a sportier look, Nissan offers the SE Off-Road, which starts at $34,875. In addition to the equipment that comes on the SE V-6 trim level, the SE Off-Road adds standard 4WD, heavy-duty Bilstein shocks, hill-descent and hill-ascent control, 16-inch aluminum wheels with off-road ready tires, skid plates, a power moonroof, XM satellite radio, and a 10-speaker Bose stereo system with AM/FM/CD and auxiliary capabilities.

For those seeking luxury, a Pathfinder in LE V-6 or LE V-8 trim should fit the bill.

Rear-drive models start at $35,765 for the LE V-6 and $37,465 for the LE V-8, while 4WD is a $2200 option on both. Both LE models come with everything that is standard on the SE trim levels and add a power moonroof, automatic headlights, leather trim for the first and second rows, heated front seats and exterior mirrors, front-seat-mounted side-impact airbags, three-row side-impact curtain airbags, wood-tone trim, a 10-speaker Bose stereo system with AM/FM/CD and auxiliary capability, XM satellite radio, and a four-way power passenger seat. Aside from the powertrain differences, the LE V-6 comes with 17-inch aluminum wheels while the LE V-8 comes with 18-inch aluminum wheels.

Optional Equipment

The Pathfinder S only offers two options: 4WD ($2000) and the side-airbag package ($700) that includes front seat-mounted side-impact airbags and a three-row side-impact curtain airbag.

SE V-6 and SE V-8 models offer 4WD ($2000 on V-6 models and $2250 on V-8 versions), XM satellite radio ($150), White Frost pearlescent paint ($300), the Premium package (10-speaker Bose stereo, automatic headlights, and power moonroof) for $1850, side-airbag package ($700), Leather package (leather-trimmed first- and second-row seats, heated front seats and outside mirrors, power four-way passenger seat) for $1850, and the rear-seat Nissan DVD Entertainment package that adds a roof-mounted seven-inch LCD screen, DVD player, and two headphones for $1600. Buyers interested in the SE Off-Road model will face the same choices as SE V-6 and SE V-8 buyers minus the not-available pearlescent paint. The Premium package and XM satellite radio are both standard on the SE Off-Road.

The luxurious LE model comes very well-equipped and offers but a handful of options. These include 4WD ($2200); a navigation system with a seven-inch LCD touch-screen ($2400), Bluetooth hands-free phone capability, keyless start, and a hard-drive based music storage system; the rear-seat DVD Entertainment, and White Frost pearlescent paint.

Safety

Dual front airbags, front seat-belt pretensioners, front-seat active headrests, four-wheel anti-lock brakes, stability control, and tire-pressure monitoring are standard across the Pathfinder lineup. Front-seat mounted side impact airbags and three-row side-impact curtain airbags are standard on the LE V-6 and LE V-8 and optional on all other Pathfinder models for $700.