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Vehicle Tests > 4WD Comparison: Mid-sized diesel wagons
4WD Comparison: Mid-sized diesel wagons
On the road this sees the Pathfinder trailing the other two, not only in side-by-side performance but more importantly in the way that it feels. On flat, easy roads, or in less demanding conditions, the Nissan has the effortless and relaxed gait of a modern turbo diesel but it doesn't take much - hilly country, give-and-take-roads, head winds etc - for the engine to start to feel like its working hard. Most noticeable is the way the auto's torque converter fidgets between being locked and unlocked and the box's general willingness to change down to a lower gear and have the engine revving harder than is the norm for most turbo diesels which are generally happy on the south side of 3000rpm.
This is something we noted before and we have often said that the Pathfinder's 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel doesn't feel 403Nm strong. We have also noted that this engine works better with the optional six-speed manual, rather than the five-speed auto.
Our on-test fuel consumption figure (a thirsty 15.1L/100km) certainly showed the Pathfinder in a bad light and even the official ADR figure of 10.5 L/100km is pretty ordinary by turbo-diesel standards.
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Better news for the Pathfinder in terms of its on-road handling where its well-sorted fully independent suspension and sharp steering deliver a dynamic experience that's well above the other two. Even with its extra weight it's more responsive and more rewarding to drive. It feels more nimble but, at the same time, more stable.
On the down side the ride is on the firm side especially at slow speeds and most noticeably on rocky trails. Put this down to the fact that the Pathfinder's suspension is not only firmly sprung but the travel is also reasonably restricted and certainly shorter than the Jeep or Sorento, especially at the rear.
The short-travel suspension does the Nissan no favours off road where it will readily lift a wheel or two and the electronic traction control has to work hard to maintain forward progress. Countering this, the Nissan has more ground clearance than the other two, the deepest low-range reduction and the most commanding driving position.
In this company, the Nissan's stand out feature is its roomy, comfortable and versatile cabin that seats seven. It has by far the biggest load space but the second-row seat lacks the room of the Sorento.
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This is something we noted before and we have often said that the Pathfinder's 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel doesn't feel 403Nm strong. We have also noted that this engine works better with the optional six-speed manual, rather than the five-speed auto.
Our on-test fuel consumption figure (a thirsty 15.1L/100km) certainly showed the Pathfinder in a bad light and even the official ADR figure of 10.5 L/100km is pretty ordinary by turbo-diesel standards.
read on below advertisement
Better news for the Pathfinder in terms of its on-road handling where its well-sorted fully independent suspension and sharp steering deliver a dynamic experience that's well above the other two. Even with its extra weight it's more responsive and more rewarding to drive. It feels more nimble but, at the same time, more stable.
On the down side the ride is on the firm side especially at slow speeds and most noticeably on rocky trails. Put this down to the fact that the Pathfinder's suspension is not only firmly sprung but the travel is also reasonably restricted and certainly shorter than the Jeep or Sorento, especially at the rear.
The short-travel suspension does the Nissan no favours off road where it will readily lift a wheel or two and the electronic traction control has to work hard to maintain forward progress. Countering this, the Nissan has more ground clearance than the other two, the deepest low-range reduction and the most commanding driving position.
In this company, the Nissan's stand out feature is its roomy, comfortable and versatile cabin that seats seven. It has by far the biggest load space but the second-row seat lacks the room of the Sorento.
next page »
