Nissan Pathfinder Chilkoot Edition: oldie, but goodie

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 03/01/2003 (8320 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

FOR 2003 Nissan has decided to continue offering the “Chilkoot Edition” Pathfinder that last year sold about 3,500 copies. The ’03 Crystal Blue Chilkoot I tested had a build number in the 700s stamped on a badge situated on the center roof consul and I took this to mean that there was a finite number of these units.

When I started to write this review I realized that this Chilkoot Edition was at the wrong end of the Pathfinder price range. All during my test week I kept thinking “limited edition” because of this badge — and that really skewed how I evaluated the vehicle. That “limited edition” tag was stuck in my head and I’d assumed that an already pricey vehicle was being dolled up with top end add-ons, but at a base price of $34,200 something was wrong. As it turns out, the something wrong was me.

The Chilkoot Pathfinder is an “edition” but not at all limited. This badged and numbered series designation was first used in 1999, carried on in 2000 and after a short hiatus is back with a few more standard features thrown in for ’03. Nissan says they’ll build as many as there is a call for. For ’03 the package of features that are added to the base Pathfinder (created from owner survey’s highlighting their most wanted/needed options) adds six more standard features to the Chilkoot’s already full list. A remote rear liftgate glass release, overhead electronic compass and temperature display, new latch system, electronic brake force distribution and unique Chilkoot cloth seats have been added. These items are in addition to things like (base model, remember) standard 250 horsepower V6, roof rack, tach, digital trip odometers, full power group including heated mirrors, keyless entry, vanity lights, 8-way driver’s seat, anti-theft system, side step rails, polished 5-spoke alloy rims, leather accents, tinted glass, and a 6-CD changer with a 150-watt BOSE audio system. Funny how my thinking changed. All week I assumed I was driving the “loaded” version of the Pathfinder, and I made notes on what I thought was missing — notes that I ended up pitching.

The Pathfinder debuted back in 1986 and though it has undergone three major updates, its essence is still the same. It’s a truck based SUV, one that has more than a little truck left in it. This is apparent in the ride quality, stiff — but, the real giveaway is found in the build sheet. The Pathfinder uses a “all terrain” 4-wheel anti-lock brake system, includes a standard fuel tank skid plate, tow hooks, front and rear mud flaps and “shift-on-the-fly” 4WD system. As you’d expect it performs well off-road but with more car-like SUV crossovers coming into the market the Pathfinders character seems to be getting a bit long in the tooth. Mind you, I do have to remind myself that testers (read me) have a tendency to be wowed with the new — always looking for the next innovation — so occasionally I have to ratchet my mind down a gear and remember that a good design is a good design despite age. Sales figures also bear witness to this. Some 10,000 Pathfinders were sold in 1999,(its 13th model year and best sales year) making up over 20% of Nissan’s Canadian sales total. But since then, with shifting focuses, sales have softened to somewhere around 7,000 units last year.

The Chilkoot upgrades have a civilizing effect but I found the Pathfinder is still all business. It’s appearance and road manners are confident. The drivetrain is strong and power is ample with the standard 5-speed 3.5L V6 that produces 240 foot-pounds of torque at 3,200 rpm and puts out 250 horsepower. (Or, 240 horsepower, and 265 ft-lb. on automatic-equipped models.) This nets a 5000 lb (2669 kg) towing capacity with the automatic but only a 3500 lb (1,558 kg) tow limit with the 5-speed.

I asked Nissan what could buyers expect from the next update. All they would say for sure is that there will be a next generation Pathfinder, but they declined to say when — though not in ’04. It will be interesting to see if they stick with the Pathfinder pedigree and maintain its truck-like nature.

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