With its unique combination of ruggedness and comfort, the 1999 Nissan Pathfinder maintains its status as the sport utility vehicle of choice for the civilized adventurer. The Pathfinder's smooth ride, responsive handling and on- and off-road dexterity offer an exceptional level of performance and comfort for buyers in the compact sport utility vehicle segment.
For 1999, the Pathfinder is available in several model configurations, including the 4x2 XE and LE models, and three 4x4 trim levels – XE, SE and LE. Refinements in 1999 are limited to the LE which adds new body-color fender flares and SE-style alloy wheels, tires and tubular step rails.
Exterior Design
The 1999 Pathfinder continues the look introduced in 1996 – sophisticated, aerodynamic and pure Pathfinder with signature grille slots, integrated rear door handles and sloping C-pillar. The rear door handles, for example, are high-mounted, giving the Pathfinder a sporty, two-door-like appearance. The cargo area glass is raised into the roofline, avoiding the traditional sport utility "station wagon" look. The A-pillar is shaped to eliminate wind noise and control rain flow. Integrated gutters keep rain off of the side windows, and a special triple-seal design provides excellent noise insulation.
Under the skin, Pathfinder features MonoFrame® construction with greater torsional and bending rigidity than traditional body-on-frame construction.
Since there are no ladder frame or body mounts, squeaks and rattles are dramatically reduced, especially on rough surfaces. Special side member "outriggers" distribute stress evenly throughout the body at the A-, B- and C-pillars, further minimizing noise and making the Pathfinder feel exceptionally solid. The MonoFrame construction also allows for weight savings (over ladder frame designs) and more room in the engine compartment for easier maintenance.
The 1999 Pathfinder is available in eight exterior colors: Sierra Silver, Cayenne Red, Neptune Blue, Mahogany Pearl, Sahara Beige, Rain Forest Green, Super Black and Cloud White.
Interior Design
With its combination of a long wheelbase and unibody construction, the Pathfinder enjoys a spacious interior. Completing the interior package is a user-friendly instrument panel and comfortable seating for all passengers. The instrument panel controls are arranged according to frequency of use. The most commonly referred to information displays are centrally located in the driver's field of vision and switches are varied in size and shape to minimize control confusion.
The Pathfinder's front bucket seats utilize a fatigue-reducing foam construction, consisting of higher density on the sides for occupant control and lower density in the center for added comfort on long drives. The 60/40 split fold-down rear seat folds flat, increasing cargo flexibility and maximizing storage areas.
The Pathfinder comes equipped with passenger seat back pockets, large front and rear door pockets, a concealed side storage bin, and a mini-storage compartment under the floor of the rear cargo area. The spare tire is mounted under the body for increased cargo utility.
Available interior colors include Gray and Blonde in either cloth or leather trim.
Engine/Suspension
All 1999 Pathfinder models come equipped with a powerful V6 engine capable of handling virtually any driving condition on or off the trail. The 3.3-liter single-overhead-cam (SOHC) V6 engine delivers 168 horsepower at 4,800 rpm and 196 ft-lbs of torque at 2,800 rpm. The Pathfinder's extremely flat torque curve – more than 90 percent of the engine torque is available in the 1,500 to 1,800 rpm range – offers excellent response, off-road control and a towing capacity of 5,000 lbs. (with automatic transmission).
The Pathfinder's advanced SOFIS (Sophisticated Optimized Fuel Injection System) system optimizes the engine's air/fuel mixture under all driving and atmospheric conditions by sensing and correcting fuel flow delays inside the intake ports.
The 3.3-liter engine is available with a 5-speed manual or electronically controlled 4-speed automatic transmission with overdrive. Four-wheel drive Pathfinders feature a shift-on-the-fly transfer case, which can be engaged at speeds up to 50 miles per hour.
Pathfinder offers competitive fuel economy with an EPA-estimated 17/19 mpg City/Highway when fitted with the 4x2 5-speed manual transmission, and 16/20 mpg City/Highway when equipped with the 4x2 4-speed automatic transmission. Pathfinders equipped with 4-wheel drive offer fuel economy of 16/18 mpg City/Highway when fitted with the 4x4 5-speed manual transmission, and 15/19 mpg City/Highway when equipped with the 4x4 4-speed automatic transmission
The 1999 Pathfinder utilizes a 5-link rear suspension design with coil springs and shocks that are placed outboard to enhance stability and increase control of body lean. Stabilizer bars are placed in the front and rear, further enhancing vehicle handling, resulting in more predictable overall handling.
Standard on all 1999 Pathfinder models is a 4-wheel Anti-lock Braking System (ABS). When traveling over loose surfaces (such as gravel or sand), the Nissan Pathfinder's unique G-sensor "reads" the driving surface and adjusts braking control accordingly, overcoming the "skimming" effect apparent in most other vehicles. Every Pathfinder also comes with a standard power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering system for ease of maneuverability and a tight turning radius.
Safety
The Pathfinder comes equipped with an extensive list of standard safety features including: dual front air bags, adjustable front shoulder belt anchors, front and rear body structure crumple zones, hood buckling creases with safety stops (to help avoid intrusion into the passenger compartment), special "outrigger" box-section body-side reinforcements, energy-absorbing steering column, 3-point ALR/ELR seat belt system for rear outboard and front passenger seat positions and child safety rear door locks.
Additionally, a remote keyless entry and Vehicle Security System is available (standard on SE and LE, optional on XE).
Model Availability
Pathfinder XE is available in 4x2 and 4x4 models and features chrome bumpers, CFC-free air conditioning, 6-spoke full-face chrome steel wheels, P265/70R15 mud and snow rated tires, fuel tank skid plates, cargo-area concealed storage bin, AM/FM/cassette/ CD 6-speaker audio system, front and rear 12V DC outlets, dual front and rear 20-ounce cup holders, rear window defroster with timer, flip-out liftgate glass, front variable intermittent windshield wipers and liftgate window intermittent wiper, tilt steering wheel and front and rear tow hooks.
The tough Pathfinder SE, available in 4x4 only, offers drivers a higher level of off-road driving capability with a rugged image to match. Some of the notable features on the SE model include: P265/70R15 mud and snow radial tires mounted on 6-spoke machined aluminum-alloy wheels, chrome trim, black fender flares, tubular steel step rail, roof rack and Moquette fabric seat material.
Adding to driver comfort and convenience, the SE model offers as standard equipment automatic air conditioning, cruise control, power remote-controlled windows, door locks and heated outside mirrors, remote keyless entry and Vehicle Security System, retractable rear cargo cover and driver-seat lumbar support with height adjustments.
The top-of-the-line Pathfinder LE offers a sophisticated combination of luxurious features in a choice of 4x2 or 4x4 configurations. The LE model comes standard with electronically controlled 4-speed automatic transmission, limited-slip rear differential (4x4 only), halogen fog lights, roof rack, wood tone interior trim, CFC-free air conditioning and automatic temperature control system, Bose® audio system, HomeLink® Universal Transceiver, leather seating surfaces, cruise control, power windows, door locks and outside mirrors, remote keyless entry and Vehicle Security System, and retractable cargo area cover with tie-downs. New this year are body-color fender flares, SE-style alloy wheels and tires and tubular step rails.
A number of options and equipment packages are offered with the 1999 Pathfinder, including the automatic transmission and an outside tire carrier (XE and SE only). The XE Convenience Package adds power windows, door locks and heated outside mirrors, remote keyless entry system and Vehicle Security System, rear cargo cover and cargo net (envelope style) and roof rack.
Available for 4x2 XE models is the 2WD Sport Package, which includes a rear wind deflector, halogen fog lights, roof rack cross bar, step rails, fender flares and SE-style alloy wheels and P265/70R15 tires. The XE 4WD Sport Package offers a limited-slip rear differential, rear wind deflector, halogen fog lights, roof rack cross bar and lace design alloy wheels (new for 1999).
For customers looking for additional amenities to enhance the Pathfinder SE, three option packages are available: Sunroof with Bose Audio (also includes HomeLink Universal Transceiver); an Off-Road Package, with limited-slip rear differential and black grille guard and upper bumpers; and a Leather Package, with leather seating surfaces, leather-wrapped steering wheel and transmission shift lever/transfer case knob covers, heated front seats (4X4) and LED outside temperature gauge and digital compass.
The only available option on the LE model is a Luxury Package, featuring power sliding glass sunroof with tilt feature and power front seats (6-way driver's side, 4-way passenger's side).
Source: Nissan
