The Pathfinder is a competent performer, especially in the highway cruise mode. Soft springs and generous wheel travel smooth out all but the worst bumps. In hard cornering, the body leans a fair amount, but the Pathfinder handles well. The steering strikes a nice balance between precision and low effort. Braking is competent and without drama, since anti-lock brakes are standard equipment.

The Pathfinder performs well even when packed with a full load of passengers and cargo. The engine is responsive and quiet and it's strong enough to pull a 5000-pound trailer. At high altitudes the engine is taxed a bit, so a little planning is needed when attempting a pass in the mountains. The base 5-speed manual transmission shifts well. Even better is the 4-speed automatic, which comes standard with the LE package. The automatic matches the Pathfinder's character well upshifting and downshifting responsively for efficient, pleasant city driving. Automatics are preferred by many experienced drivers for off-road use. Sport-utility vehicles are not noted for fuel efficiency. Our 18-mpg average during testing was par for the SUV course.

At an off-road course in Canada we found the Pathfinder offered plenty of ground clearance and suspension articulation to handle obstacles that appeared impassable to our eyes. Shifting it into low range was useful for creeping over extremely rugged or slippery ground. The Pathfinder copes well with sand, mud and snow. Traction never seems to be a problem. The Pathfinder is extremely stable on uneven ground -- as we discovered on the side of a sand dune that proved steeper than it looked. One feature the Pathfinder lacks is push-button or rotary-switch activation of four-wheel drive.

In cruise mode, the Pathfinder is quiet, a benefit of its rigid unitized structure and well-placed sound insulation.