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2004 Nissan Pathfinder Armada
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| Updated |
Jun 10, 2004 22:37:13 |
| Rating |
 533 ( -74 -13.88% ) | | Author | Sue Mead |
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Description:
2004 Nissan Pathfinder Armada
Writer's Notes
2004 Nissan Pathfinder Armada Specifications
Base price: $35,000-$43,000 (estimated)
Engine: 5.6-liter V8 (305 hp @4,900 rpm, 385 lb.-ft. @3,200 rpm)
Transmission: 5-speed automatic with overdrive
Wheelbase: 123.2 in.
Length: 206.9 in.
Width: 78.8 in.
Height: 75.3 in. (2WD); 75.5 in. (4WD)
Head/hip/legroom: front: 40.9/61.3/41.8 in.;
2nd row: 40/60.1/41.9 in.;
3rd row: 37.1/48.8/32.4 in.
Curb weight, lbs.: 5,013-5,328
Fuel economy: N/A
Safety equipment: Dual frontal airbags with passenger sensing; standard frontal side-impact curtain airbags; optional roof-mounted curtain airbags for all rows; four-wheel disc brakes with ABS; Electronic Brake Force Distribution
5 questions about the 2004 Nissan Pathfinder Armada
Who are the competitors for the Pathfinder/Armada?
Nissan considers competitors for the new full-sized SUV, which had sales of 770,000 units, to be the Ford Expedition, Chevy Tahoe, and Toyota Sequoia. While this segment experienced a downturn last year, sales of the Tahoe and Sequoia were up.
When does it go on sale, where is it built, and how many does Nissan hope to sell?
On sale mid-fall, Nissan builds its new Pathfinder/Armada alongside the new Titan in Jackson, Mississippi. Nissan hopes to capture five percent of the market, or some 40,000 units for 2004.
Who will buy the new model and in what configuration?
Nissan expects that 60 percent of buyers will be male and that sixty percent will be sold as 4 x 4 versions. It is available in three trim levels-SE, LE and Off Road and has two interior seating configurations.
What are some of its best features and any complaints?
Class-leading second-row seat room; cargo capacity and flexibility; standard adjustable pedals, VDC, rear proximity sensors and tire-pressure monitoring system; power lift gate and power passenger seat and its long list of safety technologies, including a third-row curtain airbag. A serious complaint for our small-statured tester was the height-adjustable seat belt did not accommodate a 5'2" driver-the belt rode along the top of the shoulder and neck.
How does it drive?
We drove the Pathfinder Armada on curvy two-lanes and on divided highways. With its powerful standard engine, there was ample horsepower and class-leading torque, along with a smooth-shifting auto transmission, with noise intrusion only under full throttle. Nissan wanted more than a box on wheels and engineered it to have good wheel articulation on and off road -with control arms high and out of the way- and an independent rear suspension for increased confidence with on-road stability and lane changing. Another goal was for this behemoth-sized vehicle to ride and drive smaller than it is. We felt that, in fact, Nissan was successful-it handles more like a medium-sized model, but will still take the parking space of a large!
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The 2004 Nissan Pathfinder Armada debuts alongside the all-new Titan pickup truck. Like Titan in the full-size truck market, the Pathfinder Armada is Nissan's first entrance in the full-size SUV segment, and its presence in the market now allows Nissan to be a full-line SUV manufacturer. The large utility segment of the SUV market has experienced tremendous growth since 1995, and although sales were down slightly in 2002, this populace-pleasing segment has expanded by more than 200 percent in the past eight years.
As it did with designing its new Titan, Nissan also set about polling current owners and potential buyers about the "must haves" (cargo capacity/flexibility; SUV imagery and safety) and the "unmet needs" (stand-out styling; innovative packaging; a combination of refined ride and true capabilities; stability; second-row roominess; and towing capacity) within this segment of the market. This helped Nissan engineer the Pathfinder Armada to meet those needs, while leveraging its heritage with the Pathfinder nomenclature. Its newest model comes with available 7-passenger seating with a removable second-row center console; versatile storage capabilities with fold-flat seats, including the front passenger seat that will allow stowage of a ten-foot ladder; a hideaway third-row seat passenger seat; a full-length overhead console; independent rear suspension; a host of safety features; and a towing capacity of up to 9,100 lbs.
Family Platform
Sitting on the same wheelbase as the Titan King Cab pickup, the flagship, 8-passenger Pathfinder Armada has a 123.2-inch wheelbase and a 206.9 inches of overall length. It is larger than its direct competitive set --Ford's Expedition, Chevy's Tahoe, and the Toyota Tundra-and, yet, smaller than the extended wheelbase SUVs--the Chevy Suburban, Ford Excursion and GMC Yukon XL.
The new SUV gets the DOHC 32-valve 5.6-liter aluminum block Nissan EnduranceV8 engine that also appears in the new truck. Horsepower is 305 at 4,900-rpm and torque is an impressive 385-lb.-ft. at 3,200-rpm. Its powerplant is fitted with a forged steel crankshaft, a silent timing chain, and an electronic drive-by-wire throttle. A 5-speed automatic transmission with tow/haul mode allows the Armada to tow up to 9,100-lbs. when Nissan's tow package is employed. Ordering that pulling kit gets you a receiver hitch, 7-pin harness, and trailer brake wiring. Also included are a higher axle ratio, transmission temperature gauge, rear air leveling system, along with a heavy-duty radiator and battery.
Underneath, the Pathfinder Armada shares the Titan's fully-boxed steel frame. Double-wishbone suspension appears in the front, but the Pathfinder Armada departs from its pickup counterpart by using an independent double-wishbone rear suspension rather than a live rear axle. 17- and 18-in. tires are offered, with P265/70R18 tires standard and larger P285/70R17 tires on Nissan's off-road package. Both 2WD and 4WD models are available, and the 4WD system uses full-time automatic control that instantly distributes torque to all wheels when necessary. 4WD models utilize a two-speed transfer case with auto, full-time 4WD, and 4-Lo. Although capable of powering all four corners, the Pathfinder Armada is driven solely by the rear wheels in normal driving circumstances.
Pathfinder Armada comes in three trim levels-SE, LE and Off Road.
Stopping power arrives via 4-wheel disc brakes with ABS, Electronic Brake Force Distribution, and Brake Assist. The Vehicle Dynamic Control system with traction control keeps the rubber planted to the pavement, and the Tire Pressure Monitor System watches the volume of the paws.
Exterior shine and interior refinement
Stepping back from a Pathfinder Armada reveals a body-color grille, chrome side mirrors (power-adjustable), running boards, and rear seat privacy glass with manual or power flip-out rear quarter windows. A large air dam in the front bumper is surrounded by chrome, similar to the Titan truck. Keeping the body out of harm is a standard proximity sensor mounted in the back bumper.
Several interior features from its pickup sibling appear in the SUV. A floor-mounted shifter controls transmission activity and adjustable pedals help the driver safely find comfort. The full-length overhead console can be ordered with a DVD Family Entertainment System, which includes a DVD changer, rear screen,10-speaker Bose sound system, remote control, and wireless headphones. Another screen is available in the dash - this one communicating directions via satellite-based navigation. Seating configurations hold seven or eight passengers, depending on the second-row seat choice - a three-person bench or two buckets are available. Both types of second-row seats are designed to fold flat to the floor, and the third-row bench disappears in a similar fashion.
Storage was thoroughly considered, with up to 14 available cup holders that can each hold a 20-ounce drink speckling the interior. Cargo space appears in instrument panel side pockets, the center console (designed to fit large laptops and hanging folders) and console side pockets, driver's seat rear pocket, and third row side storage bins.
Even more safety
Safety features on the Pathfinder Armada are the same as those on the Titan (dual-stage frontal airbags with passenger occupant sensor and side-impact airbags mounted in the seats). Additionally, roof-mounted curtain airbags protecting against rollover are standard for all three rows. All rear seat passengers, including those in middle seats, benefit from 3-point seat belts.
Something for everyone
Several packages can be ordered depending on buyer's needs and tastes. Pathfinder Armada comes in three trim levels-SE, LE and Off Road. The Off-Road Package features Rancho gas shocks, a 3.357:1 final drive ratio, fog lamps, tow hooks, and skid plates protecting the oil pan, fuel tank, and transfer case. Also included in this package are large P285/70R17 BF Goodrich All-Terrain tires. For the consumer seeking luxury, the uplevel LE model can be specified, which freshens the Armada's appearance with a chrome grille with black mesh inserts, second- row buckets with removable center console, and leather seats. Furthermore, a Bose Advantage Package, Leather Premium Package, Off-Road Expanded Sunroof Package, and Journey Package cater to a variety of desires. With so many options from which to choose, nearly anyone shopping for a full-sized SUV should find an appropriately equipped model at least worth considering.
--Photos Courtesy of Nissan North America
--Story by Sue Mead
Sue Mead works as a photojournalist and features writer for more than two dozen publications. She has written for Parade, Popular Science, Open Road, the Road & Track Buyers Guide, Men's Journal, Popular Mechanics and Diversion and she has worked as an auto editor for CNN/fn. Sue has co-driven in two of the world's toughest off-road races, the Baja 1000 and the Paris-Dakar Raid. She attended four Camel Trophy adventures for Land Rover North America and has participated in several long-distance adventure drives. She recently completed her first book, "Monster Trucks and Tractors" published by Chelsea House. Sue lives in New England. |
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