Call it a family mobile. Or not. The 2018 Nissan Pathfinder manages to balance the needs of families (three seating rows) with the driver who wants a snazzy vehicle. During a week-long test drive, the Pathfinder presented a stylish, comfortable cabin with a mix of stow spots and USB ports. (There are now 6 USB ports versus the prior model’s four ports.) The cargo spread ranges from 16 cubic feet with all three seating rows upright to nearly 80 cubic feet with second and third seats folded. Third row 50/50 split fold seat can recline, while the 60/40 split second row seat can slide and recline.

Powering the Pathfinder is a 3.5-liter V6 producing 284 horsepower and 259 pounds-feet of torque. The engine mates to a third-generation Xtronic continuously variable transmission. New for 2018 features include standard automatic emergency braking and an audible rear door alert that prompts a check of the rear seat as the driver departs the vehicle’s vicinity. The 114.2-inch wheelbase Pathfinder is offered in two- and four-wheel-drive configurations and four trims (S, SV, SL, Platinum). Test driven Pathfinder Platinum 4WD collects estimated mpg of 19 city/26 highway and carries a base MSRP of $44,010.