Finding a path to the pocket

Motor vehicle launches have come thick and fast of late and 2013 is probably going to be the busiest year of all.

The Johannesburg International Motor Show in the last quarter of the year is set to include a record number of vehicle launches.

However, motor companies can't afford to sit on their hands in the meanwhile and the latest to offer two new models is Nissan.

What is it?

The Nissan Pathfinder 2.5 dCi 4x4 SE, which has had a few of the bells and whistles cut from the LE specification list, is now R100000 cheaper, yet does not suffer because of the cost-cutting exercise.

The vehicle - available with either a manual or automatic gearbox - still has all the qualities of a dependable 4x4 and, yet, is equally at home on the streets of Sandton or bundu-bashing through the Witwater Game Reserve in the Waterberg region near Naboomspruit, where the launch took place.

How does it look?

Nothing much has changed in the looks department; the vehicle has contemporary styling and is still up to date and stylish.

For those who like to keep away from prying eyes, there's privacy glass in the rear and seating for six, with their luggage in a comfortable interior.

What's it like to drive?

On and off the road, the Pathfinder is a capable vehicle that won't let you down when the going gets tough - as we discovered on the rugged dirt tracks in the game reserve as well as in the abandoned Union Tin mine area in the Waterberg mountains.

Power is supplied by a 2.5-litre common rail turbocharged four-cylinder diesel engine, which produces 140kW at 4000rpm and 450Nm of torque at 2000rpm.

The engine is mated to either a manual or automatic gearbox and All-Mode 4x4 - which provides intelligent four-wheel drive, a drive mode selector switch and Active Brake Limited Slip (ABLS).

Ground clearance is fairly good - we bottomed out only in really rough, off-road situations.

Any special features?

We found the ABLS feature - which is unique, and is a development which found its way to the Pathfinder via the Nissan GTR super sportscar - good in offroad conditions.

ABSL redirects power to the driven wheels to give them the most traction, using ABS wheel-speed sensors to detect a loss of traction; and applies braking force to the affected wheel or wheels to help slow them down.

Should you buy one?

Yes if you want to save yourself at least R100000 on the more expensive LE model.

In our opinion the SE model does not lack much as far as options and extras are concerned and we wonder if Nissan aren't cutting their own throats by offering this cheaper model.

Who wants to pay R594900 for the 2.5dCi 4x4 AT NAV LE model when the 2.5 dCi 4x4 SE model costs R450900?