Given the sturdy F-Alpha pickup truck frame under the redesigned 2005 Nissan Pathfinder, the most surprising thing about this SUV is how well it drives on the street. You never forget it’s a truck, especially the SE Off-Road model with its Rancho performance shocks installed, but the Pathfinder is nevertheless an agreeable paved-road partner.

The 4.0-liter V6 delivers decent power; the 2005 Nissan Pathfinder is neither quick nor slow, but just right. The transmission shifts smoothly when cruising and promptly when passing, and the All-Mode 4WD allows shifting on the fly at speeds up to 60 mph unless you want low range. During our test drive, we averaged 15.4 mpg, barely better than the EPA rating of 15 mpg in the city. The Pathfinder is supposed to get as much as 21 mpg on the highway.

Better than the motor is the braking system. Nissan knows that terrific pedal feel, response, modulation, and balance are appreciated just as much by an SUV driver as they are a 350Z owner, and the company proves it with the Pathfinder. Of course, with all-terrain tires and a higher center of gravity, the Pathfinder won’t handle like a 350Z. Nevertheless, this rig rarely feels top heavy, and on twisty roads the weight transitions predictably. The ride quality is firm, thanks in part to those Rancho shocks, but not jarring. The F-Alpha frame gives the Pathfinder a solid, sturdy, planted feel, though it’s not as car-like to drive as the old model.

While off-roading, we got stuck. One front wheel and one rear wheel lost contact with the ground, and the Pathfinder sat in a cloud of dust, spinning its unloaded tires. Once that was resolved, however, the SUV proved nimble, maneuverable, and much more confidence-inspiring than the old Pathfinder.

The new Nissan Pathfinder is a great daily driver if you can afford to fuel it, exuding competence at all times, and is easy to see out of no matter which direction you look. Though consumers are shifting away from these rugged types of SUVs, if you need towing capacity and a modicum of off-roading capability, the Pathfinder ought to be on your short list.