are Rolls-Royces, for that matter--the Pathfinder is a quiet operator on

paved roads. Wind noise is exceptionally low, and the engine is well-muted.

The tires generate some sound (unavoidable with all-season rubber) but

even that is minimal.

On pavement, the Pathfinder's suspension delivers a comfortable ride.

Soft springs and generous wheel travel smooth out all but the worst bumps;

the sole negative in this area is body roll during cornering, a common

trait for sport-utility vehicles. Steering is good as well, striking a

nice balance between precision and low effort.

Performance is still another Pathfinder plus. Even with a load of passengers

and/or cargo, acceleration is brisk and there's enough torque to pull a

5000-pound trailer.

Good as the five-speed manual transmission is, the four-speed automatic

(standard with the LE) struck us as a better all-around match to our tester's

luxo character. It shifts crisply yet unobtrusively, and subtracts less

from straight-ahead performance than many automatic-equipped sport-utes.

We put this down to the power traits of the V6 engine. Its peak horsepower

output isn't extraordinary, but its robust torque comes on early and peaks

at a relatively low 3000 rpm.

Like virtually all sport-utility vehicles, the Pathfinder's fuel economy

is just so-so, even with a manual transmission. But that doesn't seem to

matter much to most SUV buyers.