Finding its way among larger SUVs

Though the stats don’t really bear it out, from inside the 2005 Nissan Pathfinder feels narrower than a vehicle with its kind of length should be. The stats do, however, indicate that – as with most three-row SUVs – dimensions get tighter as you move to the third row seat. According to Nissan, headroom decreases from 40 inches up front to 39 inches in the second row and 36.7 inches in the last row. Legroom also constricts: from 42.4 inches up front to 34.2 in the middle row and 28.1 in back. This compares unfavorably to the Ford Explorer, which offers 35.9 inches of rear legroom. Front headroom and legroom, however, compare favorably to the Explorer. Pathfinder hip room actually grows (55.5 to 57.6 to 44) from front to middle, so perhaps the feeling of inadequate space is due to the seats. Compared to the Toyota 4Runner, however, the Pathfinder is virtually identical front to back in terms of head and legroom. If anything, the Pathfinder has an advantage up front compared to the 4Runner.

The numbers don’t lie. But they also don’t tell the whole truth. For front seat passengers, the 2005 Nissan Pathfinder is a comfortable ride, but one that gets less comfortable the farther back you go. This is possibly due to the type of seat used in the middle row, the sink-inside headrests and the loss of legroom. But so what -- most passengers will ride up front anyway, and if there’s a regular backseat occupant, they’re probably under 12.

All you really need back there is a seat belt.