The Pathfinder is one of the most successful SUVs on the market for several reasons, not the least of which is its car-like interior and admirable road manners. Nissan has wisely retained those attributes as the vehicle has evolved, preserving its strong selling points. The Pathfinder is and has been a rugged, macho-looking vehicle that has found an audience with men and women, alike, presumably because of those same attributes. For 2011, Nissan has graced the Pathfinder with the Maxima-derived 240-250hp 3.5 liter V6. Not only do the added horses propel the passenger truck with greater alacrity, but they do so with greater smoothness and refinement. What’s that you say? Smoothness and refinement do not matter in a truck? Well, yes, yes they do. In this market, people want their cake (or jerky) and wish to eat it, too. The Pathfinder SE, the sporty edition of the three-model lineup, provides performance, handling, and comfort over and above what a non-luxury SUV should, and with a confident finesse that comes from experience in this most competitive market segment. Continue reading →