Nissan Pathfinder 2.5 dCi Aventura CAR review

Remember Nissan’s TV advert where the Pathfinder sent people screaming for cover as it chugged through an Amercian city? That’s because this pick-up is a gigantic brute of a car, a proper workhorse, a ‘car’ that’s not afraid to roll up its sleeves and get dirty. And because Nissan knows that it can’t match the green oval kudos of Land Rover you can buy the Pathfinder loaded with leather, heated electric seats and sat-nav. Question is, is this a step too far?

What powers the Nissan Pathfinder? Some large V8?

There’s only one engine, an archaic but hardy 169bhp 2.5-litre diesel. And while overtaking on single carriageways is best consigned to memory, 297lb ft of torque ensures the same lumbering pace regardless of the hill the Nissan faces.

As you might imagine, handling is not high up the Pathfinder's priorities. Body roll is borderline ridiculous, it’s not great at softening out the road’s bumps, and with a back end that extends into neighbouring counties, the Pathfinder can feel clumsy on narrow B-roads. Steering requires more muscle effort than most and the gearshift is a little sloppy.

But those who’d buy into the exterior styling – effectively a Navara with a steel canopy above the pick-up bed, and well suited to gun racks, hunting lights and UN decals – would want it to be a bit of a brute.

Click 'Next' below to read more of our Nissan Pathfinder first drive