What is it? The 2008 Nissan Pathfinder receives a number of updates for its Chicago show premiere. Most notable is a powerful 5.6-liter engine sourced from the full-size Nissan trucks. This first V8 application for Pathfinder is rated at 300-plus hp and 380-plus-lb-ft of torque to reach 7,000 pounds of maximum towing capacity. It also comes with standard five-speed automatic transmission in the SE or LE lines. The V8 joins the existing 4.0-liter V6 engine, which is comparable to many eight-cylinder competitors. Both engines are available with two- or four-wheel drive.
A CR-Recommended vehicle, the Pathfinder has done well in Consumer Reports tests, but six-cylinder fuel economy is poor.
Other updates include freshened front and rear styling, and new wheel designs. Inside the SUV, there is a heated steering wheel (on LE models), a redesigned center console, reclining second row center seat, and a revised navigation system with 7.0-inch color display and RearView Monitor.
