2017 Nissan Pathfinder SL

The Pathfinder is Nissan's three-row family SUV, the one that trades a truck-like frame for a car-based ride that's easier to live with day to day. The continuously variable transmission keeps the ride smooth and the power delivery steady, though some owners note a slight jerk at low speeds. The cabin is roomy and quiet, with heated seats in the first two rows and a third row that's best for kids rather than tall adults. Owners report few major issues, but a few have dealt with a liftgate that closes on its own and tires that wear quicker than expected. The SL sits between the base S and the loaded Platinum, adding leather seats, heated second-row outboard seats, and the Around View Monitor. Its 3.5L V6 makes 284 horsepower routed through a CVT to the front wheels, and you'll see 23 mpg combined in mixed driving.