Content provided in partnership with

Automotive Industry

Nissan's fleet comes in: true, the styling is a little unorthodox, but Nissan's Pathfinder Armada doesn't follow the crowd. A true full-size SUV, it's almost as big as the great outdoors

Automotive Design & Production, Sept, 2003

You have to hand it to Nissan. When it showed the Titan full-size pickup and Pathfinder Armada full-size SUV to reporters in Dearborn, it made certain the drive route took participants around Ford's world headquarters. Within minutes, Ford engineers were out in force, crawling around these vehicles while Nissan staffers chuckled quietly to themselves.

The Ford engineers had good reason to be curious, if not worried. The Titan is aimed squarely at Ford's crown jewel, the F-150, while the Pathfinder Armada takes on the full-size SUV crowd; specifically the Ford Expedition, Chevy Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Toyota Sequoia. Both of the Nissan trucks are built on the same Tower Automotive-sourced, single wheelbase, fully boxed frame, and identical from the B-pillar forward. They also use the same power-train, major mechanical systems, and share an instrument panel. The cost savings paid for the SUV's independent rear suspension, which can be shared with the pickup should the market demand it.

Most Popular Articles in Autos: Service Slants; 2007 utility vehicle buyer's guide: Side-By-Sides are popular; here's who ...; Transmission considerations: beyond the manual gearbox; Buell Motorcycle engineering, innovation, & dedication: in an industry ...; 100 + 10: America's oldest automotive magazine celebrates its 110th year ...; More »

Interior flexibility was a priority for the SUV, and the Pathfinder Armada can carry a 10-foot ladder within the interior when the seats-rear, split bench middle row, and fold-flat front--are folded away. In order to reduce owner inconvenience to a minimum, Nissan engineers raised the floor behind the front seats, then raised it again behind the third row. This gives second-row passengers a deep footwell where the lower cushion is rotated before the seatback is folded flat. The rear footwell swallows the thin third seat when folded, and places the seatback flush with the load floor. "If you have to remove a heavy third-row seat in order to use the space available in the interior," says Mark Baker, manager of model line marketing for the Pathfinder Armada, "it's a false utility, and a big inconvenience for the customer." Should they need it, customers will find 96 [ft.sup.3] of storage space when all of the seats are folded flat.

Standard equipment includes side-impact curtain airbags for all three rows, a vehicle dynamic control system, a tire pressure monitoring system, four-wheel disc brakes, a bye-speed automatic mated to a 5.6-liter V8 producing 305 hp and 385 lb-ft of torque, power adjustable pedals, full-length overhead console, 18-in. wheels and tires, a rear proximity sensor system, privacy glass, running boards, roof rack, and a front console deep enough to fish in. Plans call for Nissan to sell 40,000 units in the first year. In terms of drive configuration, Nissan expects Pathfinder Armada sales to be split 60% 4x4, 40% 4x2. The SE model will account for 40% of sales, the upmarket LE will take 35%, and the off-road package the remaining 25%. With its Rancho shocks, heavy-duty cooling system, high sidewall 285/70-17 wheels and tires, and underfloor skid plates, it's meant for serious off-road work despite its luxury-oriented power seats, premium audio system, and leather seating surfaces.

"Pathfinder Armada will be fully competitive in terms of price, performance, and value," says Jed Connelly, senior vice president, Sales and Marketing, Nissan North America. Which may only add to the worried looks found in Dearborn and may add some in Warren and Auburn Hills.--CAS

Automotive Industry

Nissan's fleet comes in: true, the styling is a little unorthodox, but Nissan's Pathfinder Armada doesn't follow the crowd. A true full-size SUV, it's almost as big as the great outdoors

Automotive Design & Production, Sept, 2003

Find Research Guides for:

Find Featured Titles for: Autos

Most Popular Articles in Autos

Most Popular Publications in Autos