which category the Pathfinder fits best. Granted, the seats are higher

off the ground than they would be in, say, a Nissan Altima, but the dashboard,

seats and all other trim pieces convey a sense of passenger car ambience

and comfort.

Like most sport-utes, getting into or out of a Pathfinder requires a

long step up (or down), but once inside you'll find all the right stuff

in all the right places. Dials (speedometer, tachometer, water temperature

and fuel level) are large, as are buttons for most other necessary functions

and rotary dials for climate control. The radio buttons are a little too

small, and the electric mirror switches are hidden from view by the wheel,

but by and large, the designers have done their work well. Everything else

is sited for easy use.

Seating quality and noise isolation fall into the car-like class as

well. A quiet, comfortable environment is one of the Pathfinder's greatest

assets, followed by generous cargo space, enhanced by the vehicle's increased

dimensions. On the debit side, taller occupants may find a little less

headroom than they'd like, and all adults will wish the rear seat offered

more legroom.

Very little needs to be added to complete the Pathfinder's cabin, especially

when it's an SE or LE; most of us will be quite well served by an SE with

added air conditioning. In fact, we prefer the lesser model's cloth upholstery--especially

for the first sit-down on cold winter mornings. On the other hand, we like

the LE's power glass sunroof and excellent Bose sound system.

One standard feature that might work better on the option list is the

heavily tinted privacy glass for rear doors, quarter windows and liftgate.

Some buyers might find it a trifle dark for night driving.

On the plus side of the driver sightline ledger, the 1996 redesign moved

the spare tire from the liftgate to an underbody storage nook, a change

that also makes it easier to get in and out of the rear cargo hold.