There's a Reason the Pathfinder is So Popular
For me, it's hard to feel special when driving a vehicle that is so prominent on the roads. I'm talking about the Nissan Pathfinder, one of the first vehicles to bear the SUV designation. Over the years, it has just been too darn popular!
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| I was excited to experience what makes the Nissan Pathfinder such a hit with on and off-road commuters. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, Canadian Auto Press) |
I see Pathfinders everywhere, no joke. So when I heard that I'd be spending a week in the 2004 Nissan Pathfinder Chinook Edition, I had mixed feelings. On one hand, I was excited to experience what made this SUV such a hit with on and off-road commuters, but on the other, I am one who likes to stand out in a crowd and the Pathfinder, well it just blends in. Oh what to do?
But the "mainstream-ness" of the Pathfinder didn't stop me from enjoying the time I spent with what is one rugged off-roader. Its popularity is for good reason. And this special edition is one of the reasons the aging model still finds new buyers.
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| Despite its ability to fit into a crowd, I've always been a fan of the Pathfinder's styling. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, Canadian Auto Press) |
Chinook defined by Webster's Dictionary means: "a warm, dry wind that blows at intervals down the East slopes of the Rocky Mountains." OK, the name makes sense as the Pathfinder Chinook did give me a "warm" feeling. And to add to that warm feeling, this special edition is only available in Canada.
Despite its ability to fit into a crowd, I've always been a fan of the Pathfinder's styling. It's clean, well rounded, and not too bulky both for everyday driving or going off-road. There is ample cargo room, and the front cloth bucket seats are comfortable to sit in. The dash is low, opening up visual range, and overall I just felt relaxed behind the wheel.