When shopping the 2005 Nissan Pathfinder, you choose between base XE, sporty SE, rugged SE Off-Road, and luxurious LE trim levels equipped with either 2WD or 4WD. The standard, and only, engine is a 4.0-liter V6, a bored-out version of Nissan’s award-winning 3.5-liter VQ motor that sees duty in everything from the Altima family sedan and Murano SUV to the Infiniti G35 and FX35. In the Pathfinder, this V6 makes 270 horsepower and 291 lb.-ft. of torque, just enough to motivate its 4,671 pounds and tow a trailer weighing up to three tons. A five-speed automatic delivers power to the rear or all four wheels, and the 4WD system is Nissan’s All-Mode unit that’s shifted on the fly using a switch on the dashboard.

All-Mode doesn’t mean Nissan tosses in a pint of Ben & Jerry’s when you buy the 4WD model. Rather, this is a system with four modes of operation to cover all driving situations. Run it in 2WD to increase fuel economy, leave it in Auto for automatic power transfer depending on wheel slip, choose 4-Hi for medium difficulty trails or snowstorms, and select 4-Lo for tough terrain. The Pathfinder SE Off-Road also gets a hill descent control system and a hill start assist system to keep you from getting stranded in difficult spots, but you can’t lock the axles so it’s easy to freewheel if one tire on each axle loses traction simultaneously.

The new Pathfinder rides on a four-wheel double-wishbone suspension and standard 16-inch aluminum wheels, guided by a power rack-and-pinion steering setup and stopped by a four-wheel-disc antilock braking system. Traction and stability control come standard on every Pathfinder. Options include a 17-inch wheel/tire combo and Rancho performance shocks.

Now able to seat seven passengers, the Pathfinder is much more spacious than ever. Fold the seats, and a handy cube-shaped cargo area measures 79.2 cubic feet. The Pathfinder is safe, too, equipped with standard front airbags with occupant classification sensors and available with seat-mounted side airbags in front and side curtain airbags for all three rows. A tire pressure monitor is standard on all models.

Other standard items include the usual suspects: Power windows, locks, and mirrors; remote keyless entry; cruise control; and a CD player. Stepping up from the XE to the SE nets running boards, fog lights, an EZ-Clean cargo area, special cloth upholstery, an eight-way power driver’s seat, and a first-aid kit. SE Off-Road adds a whole bunch of stuff useful for boulder bashing, plus automatic climate control, rear air conditioning, adjustable pedals, and special décor. The luxury-lined LE includes 17-inch wheels, heated mirrors and front seats, a power sunroof, Bose audio, leather upholstery, and fake wood trim. The LE also includes front side-impact airbags and side curtain airbags. Key options for the 2005 Nissan Pathfinder include a DVD entertainment system, a navigation system, and satellite radio.