2014 Pathfinder Hybrid kisses ruggedness goddbye... :(

[SoCalMonty]

Just saw this article on Jalopnik. Say it ain't so!!!

http://jalopnik.com/2014-nissan-pat...ource=jalopnik_facebook&utm_medium=socialflow

"...if you've ever wanted a Nissan Pathfinder but didn't buy one because you kept saying "Gee, I wish this were a front-wheel-drive hybrid," now's your chance to snatch one up..."

 

[drbandkgb]

Little late to the party here... 2013 started this trend with a Front wheel drive Pathy...


And lets all be honest here... The Pathy hasnt been the Pathy since 1994.. So what ever you all are holding on is crazy...

 

[Allof75]

Little late to the party here... 2013 started this trend with a Front wheel drive Pathy...


And lets all be honest here... The Pathy hasnt been the Pathy since 1994.. So what ever you all are holding on is crazy...

On behalf of all R50s (and R51s for that matter), I'd like to argue that last point. :ylsmoke:

Simply put, a good amount of the market for the original WD21 was taken up by the Xterra in 2000, and Nissan definitely knew about this in 1996 when the first R50 was released. The Xterra is basically a WD21 in essence- a rugged 4x4 minitruck with camper and tweaks. So the Pathy needed to evolve. They were always a "nicer jeep" in a sense, balancing comfort and capability. They had a focus on innovation, in pushing the boundaries of what was to be expected of an SUV, and each generation continued this trend: The R50 radically changed suspensions, and became unibody. The R51 went back to body on frame, but was IFS and IRS with a V8. The new one falls short in the capability department (still 99% of what its buyers need), but is simply chasing market share, to keep funding projects like the Xterra, GT-R, 370Z, Juke, and everything else in between. There's a reason Porsche is able to make insane versions of the 911 and produce the 918- the Cayenne and Panamera sales back it up.

I'm ok with the new Pathgrinder, I think it'd look rather nice dropped on some decent wheels and blacking out of the trim, but that's just me. But I'd leave the older Pathies and new Xterra to the trail riding. :safari-rig:

 

[pugslyyy]

On behalf of all R50s (and R51s for that matter), I'd like to argue that last point. :ylsmoke:

But simply put, a good amount of the market for the original WD21 was taken up by the Xterra in 2000, and Nissan definitely knew about this in 1996 when the first R50 was released. The Xterra is basically a WD21 in essence- a rugged 4x4 minitruck with camper and tweaks. So the Pathy needed to evolve. They were always a "nicer jeep" in a sense, balancing comfort and capability. They had a focus on innovation, pushing the boundaries, and each generation continued this trend. The R50 changed suspensions, and became unibody. The R51 went back to body on frame, but was IFS and IRS with a V8. The new one falls short in the capability department, yes, but is simply chasing market share, to keep funding projects like the Xterra, GT-R, 370Z, Juke, and everything else in between. There's a reason Porsche is able to make insane versions of the 911 and produce the 918- the Cayenne and Panamera sales back it up.

I'm ok with the new Pathgrinder, I think it'd look rather nice dropped on some decent wheels and blacking out of the trim, but that's just me. But I'd leave the older Pathies and new Xterra to the trail riding. :safari-rig:

Me too. I had a 1994 Pathfinder (stick, 4x4) - a great truck that I took a lot of places, northern Canada, CA deserts, etc. Nissan has struggled commercially compared to the other Japanese automakers but personally I've always been a fan of the brand.

 

[d67u57]

having the good bits(not so delicate and 4x4) starting with the base or so model made the pathfinder interesting.

front crap drive? the hell no.

 

[drbandkgb]

I wont disagree about your point... If you look at the Xterra it was like Nissan had 2 designs for the Pathfinder.. The Gen 1 X shares many body lines with the Old Pathys..
But after the Mid 90s.. The Pathy really was no more... IT turned into a soccer mom SUV that was some what capable. Now Im not dogging the newer Pathys. I like them still..
But the lost the ruggedness the Gen 1 had.

This 2013- Pathy is only a Pathfinder by name.. It shares ZERO body lines that generally the next Gen of a car/SUV would.

Nissan has a billion dollar name plate and they needed to use it.. Plain and simple..

 

[RonapRhys]

If they keep the X as relatively rugged, it's all good. Even if they've started soccer momming it too much, IMO. But then again, that's what it takes to get sales.