Nissan’s midsize SUV, the Pathfinder, remains unchanged for the 2012 model year, as a redesigned Pathfinder is expected to roll off the assembly late in the year, becoming more of a car-based crossover than the current truck-based one.

Four trim levels are available for the 2012 Nissan Pathfinder: S, SV, Silver Edition and LE, each of which is available with rear-wheel drive (RWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD). All but the LE 4WD trim receive a 4.0-liter DOHC 24-valve V6 with variable valve timing, which achieves 266 hp and 288 lb-ft of torque. The LE V8 4WD trim comes standard with a 310-hp 5.6-liter DOHC 32-valve V8, also with variable valve timing, that makes 388 lb-ft of torque. S trims are paired with a 5-speed automatic transmission, while the remaining trims receive a 5-speed automatic transmission with manual mode. RWD trims are estimated to get 15 mpg city/22 highway, the 4WD trims with the V6 are estimated at 14/20, and the LE V8 4WD gets 13/18.

The S trims of the 2012 Nissan Pathfinder feature manual air conditioning, cruise control (with steering-wheel-mounted controls), power door locks (with auto-locking feature), power windows (with front one-touch auto up/down), remote keyless entry, tilt steering column, cloth seats, 8-way adjustable driver’s seat (with manual lumbar), second-row 40/20/40 split fold-flat bench seat, third-row 50/50 split fold-flat bench seat, 6-speaker audio system (with AM/FM radio and single-disc CD player), full-size spare tire, variable intermittent windshield wipers, rear intermittent wiper and 16-inch 5-spoke aluminum alloy wheels (with General Grabber tires).

For buyers choosing an SV trim, replacement and additional equipment includes power outside mirrors, power-adjustable pedals, 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat (with manual lumbar), fold-down front passenger seat, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, information center (with 7-inch color display), HomeLink universal transceiver, rear-view monitor, variable intermittent speed-sensitive windshield wipers, automatic on/off headlights, fog lights and 17-inch 6-spoke aluminum alloys (with BFGoodrich Long Trail T/A Radial OWL tires).

Silver Edition trim buyers get heated outside mirrors, leather-appointed front and second-row seats, 4-way power-adjustable front passenger seat, heated front seats, Nissan Intelligent Key keyless entry and ignition system, 10-speaker Digital Bose audio system with AM/FM radio, in-dash 6-CD changer, Sirius XM satellite radio (with 3-month trial subscription), Bluetooth HandsFree phone system and 17-inch 6-spoke machine-finished aluminum alloy wheels (with BFGoodrich Long Trail T/A Radial OWL tires) as standard equipment. In addition to being able to choose between a V6 or V8 engine, LE trim buyers get a heated steering wheel, driver's memory system (for driver's seat, mirrors, remote-activated pedals, and entry/exit system settings), Nissan hard-drive-based navigation system (with 7-inch color LCD touchscreen monitor and voice recognition), in-dash CompactFlash card reader for MP3/WMA playback and 18-inch 12-spoke machine-finished aluminum alloy wheels (with BFGoodrich Long Trail T/A Radial tires).

For safety and security features, the 2012 Nissan Pathfinder comes standard with Nissan’s Advanced Air Bag System (with dual-stage supplemental front airbags with seat belt and occupant-classification sensors, driver and front-passenger seat-mounted side-impact supplemental airbags and roof-mounted curtain supplemental airbags for side-impact and rollover head protection for all three rows of outboard occupants), as well as front-seat active head restraints, zone body construction (with front and rear crumple zones), an energy-absorbing steering column, tire pressure monitoring system, 4-wheel vented disc brakes (with antilock braking system and electronic brakeforce distribution), vehicle dynamic control with traction control system, a vehicle immobilizer system and a vehicle security system.

Café Latte is the only available interior color for the 2012 Nissan Pathfinder, as either cloth or leather – depending on trim. Exterior color choices are Espresso Black, Red Brick, Navy Blue, Super Black, Dark Slate, Brilliant Silver and Avalanche.

Current owners like the flexibility the 2012 Nissan Pathfinder provides when going off-road or towing (up to up to 6,000 pounds when properly equipped), but many don’t feel it does either well enough to recommend it. Additionally, even though the Pathfinder is listed as being able to carry 7 passengers, some owners feel the second- and third-row seating spaces are cramped. Handling-wise, 2012 Pathfinder owners are not impressed, stating that you know you are behind the wheel of an SUV when driving the Pathfinder.

The expected improvements to the Nissan Pathfinder for the 2013 model year should put the midsize SUV back on even footing with competitors like the Dodge Durango, Ford Explorer and Jeep Grand Cherokee. Until then, the current version of the Pathfinder will likely satisfy only model loyalists.