2007 Nissan Pathfinder Review: A Practical Compromise Between Daily-Driver Convenience and Off-Road Power

The 2007 Nissan Pathfinder isn’t going to beat the CR-V if you’re looking for the most practical SUV on the road, and it can’t beat a Jeep for off-road power. But if you’re looking for a solid compromise between the two at a fair price, the Pathfinder may be your best bet.

Is the 2007 Nissan Pathfinder a Good Used Car?

• Overall Rating 8/10 – A fun, capable compromise of daily-driver and off-road adventure vehicle.
• Interior, Comfort & Cargo 7/10 – The front seats are comfortable and cargo space is generous, but the back seats are cramped and the suspension is rigid.
• Reliability 8/10 – Drivers often report passing 300,000 miles on the original transmission. That might not happen in a used model, but it could, which is pretty impressive.
• Safety 8/10 – Good crash test ratings and generous features make the Pathfinder a safe mid-size, and you can add an extra point for the optional rearview camera, a rarity in 2007.
• Gas Mileage 6/10 – 16/23 miles to the gallon, city/highway, wasn’t great even by 2007 mid-size SUV standards.
• Value 8/10 – If refueling costs were a bit lower, this could easily be a 9/10. Even so, cost of ownership isn’t terrible, and sticker prices start out at under $5,500.

What Do Critics Say About the 2007 Nissan Pathfinder?

Consumer Reports found the 2007 Pathfinder to be outdated, but still a rather impressive SUV, featuring third row seating, a versatile interior, a powerful V6 engine, and responsive handling. But the ride is a bit stiff and the back seats may be tight for adults.

Kelley Blue Book users give the 2007 Pathfinder a lukewarm 73% recommendation, praising the long lifespan, excellent performance, and versatile cabin, but criticizing the tight back seats, mediocre fuel economy, and cheap interior build quality.

Edmunds were impressed with the Pathfinder’s powerful engine V6, and they found the SUV to be a capable off-roader with a well-designed interior and plenty of cargo space. And, they added to the consensus that the back seats could be a bit more generous.

What Common Problems Does the 2007 Nissan Pathfinder Have?

The 2007 Nissan Pathfinder has generated 557 complaints with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. More than half of these are for issues with the powertrain, with several more for engine problems. The major recurring issue here: Cracked radiators leaking coolant into the transmission.

There are 23 airbag complaints on file, with drivers reporting airbag warning lights staying on and, in a few instances, airbags failing to deploy in the event of an accident.

A handful of electrical complaints see the car simply losing all electrical power while in motion.

After more than sixteen years on the road, the 2007 Pathfinder has only been recalled twice. This is generally a good thing, but in this instance it means that a potentially major issue with coolant leak has not yet been officially addressed.

How Long Will the 2007 Nissan Pathfinder Last?

Nissan Pathfinder drivers regularly report some very high numbers, like 300,000 and up. In a used model you have to expect a little extra wear and tear going in, so you should expect to reach around 250,000 miles before you have some major repairs to worry about.

Repairpal estimate that the 2007 Nissan Pathfinder should cost you around $510 a year in annual maintenance, which is average for a vehicle in this size class. The most expensive common fixes include new AC compressors and evaporators, starting at $918 and $927, respectively.

How Is the Technology?

Entertainment technology in the 2007 Nissan Pathfinder is pretty advanced for the model year. You have your usual CD/MP3 player with 10 Bose speakers and an auxiliary input jack in the high-end models, plus an optional overhead DVD player for the back seat.

Safety technology is likewise impressive for the model year. Anti-lock brakes come standard, and you might be able to find a model with a rearview camera, which was pretty uncommon in 2007.

Is the 2007 Nissan Pathfinder a Good Value?

The 2007 Nissan Pathfinder is a pretty good value. An entry-level model typically sells for around $5,932, while a high-end trim should list for around $6,592. If you’re a good negotiator, both of these prices are around the higher end of the fair-market range.

Fuel economy and maintenance costs are moderate, so your only major concern with a used Pathfinder is going to be that potential coolant leak mentioned in the common problems section above. But, it’s been over a year since the last complaint on the matter was registered.

What are the Different Models of the 2007 Nissan Pathfinder?

The 2007 Pathfinder is offered in four trim levels, from the base S to the high-end LE.

With the entry-level S you’re getting:

• Cloth seating
• Remote keyless entry
• Manual air conditioning
• CD/MP3 player
• Anti-lock brakes and traction control

The mid-range SE adds:

• Fog lights
• Premium cloth seating
• 8-way power driver seat

SE models are also available in an SE Off-Road edition, adding:

• Four wheel drive
• Dual zone automatic air conditioning
• Front tow hook
• Rancho shocks
• Skid plates

Finally, the top-of-the-line LE features:

• Heated mirrors
• Leather seating
• Heated front seats
• 10 Bose speakers
• Wood-tone interior trim

What Engines Come In the 2007 Nissan Pathfinder?

• Whatever your trim level, you’re getting a 4.0L V6 delivering 266 horsepower and 288 lb.-ft. of torque, putting it in the same power class as some V8s. The engine delivers an average 16/23 miles to the gallon, city/highway, and is paired to a 5-speed automatic in rear or all wheel drive.

What Colors Does the 2007 Nissan Pathfinder Come In?

How Comfortable Is the 2007 Nissan Pathfinder?

The 2007 Pathfinder is moderately comfortable. Head and leg room is a bit limited in the back seats, and the suspension rides a bit stiff, especially in the SE Off-Road model. But the front seats are cushy enough, and the SUV rides a little gentler than, say, a Jeep Cherokee.

How Much Storage Space Does the 2007 Nissan Pathfinder Have?

The 2007 Nissan Pathfinder offers 16 cubic feet of cargo space to start with, which is a little bigger than a typical full-size sedan trunk, packing five or six medium suitcases. Fold the seats down and you’ve got 79 cubic feet of space, which is enough for whatever you need for a long camping trip, or even small furniture hauls.

What Are the Differences Between Years?

The 2007 Nissan Pathfinder was the third model year in the SUV’s 3rd Generation, running from the 2005 to 2012 model years.

2005: The redesigned 3rd Gen Pathfinder was larger than previous models, going from a compact to a mid-size, packing a 4.0L V6 and a third row.

2006: For 2006, Nissan added a 6-disc CD changer as an option.

2007: Minor improvements for 2007 included one-touch power windows and auxiliary input jacks.

2008: A facelift year for 2008, the 2008 model saw some minor cosmetic tweaks and the addition of a new 310 horsepower Titan 5.6L V8 engine.

2009: The Pathfinder received some more standard airbags for 2009, but there were no major changes.

How Does the 2007 Nissan Pathfinder Compare to the Competition?

The 2007 Nissan Pathfinder essentially splits the difference between a daily-driver SUV like the Honda CR-V, and a dedicated off-roader like the Jeep Liberty, and comes out as a practical, affordable alternative to both.

While a CR-V is certainly the more fuel-efficient option, it comes up an even 100 horses shy of the Pathfinder’s 266 hp V6, and tends to list for around $1,500 more in the Blue Book from trim to trim.

The 210 horsepower Jeep Liberty is priced in the same range as the Pathfinder, and is more capable as a dedicated off-roader. It’s also essentially useless as a daily-driver, with poor fuel economy, rigid suspension, and cramped seating.

A 2007 Nissan Pathfinder is neither the best daily-driver nor the best adventure vehicle released in its model year. But it may be the best compromise for the price.

Do Owners Recommend the 2007 Nissan Pathfinder?