I need a car or truck with a lot of trunk space and legroom. My three kids are 5 feet 9 inches and up, and the oldest is only 14! I would also like something good on gas. I've narrowed it down to a 2010 Pathfinder or 2010 Traverse. Which would be better?
If you need to frequently carry a full load of family and cargo, the Pathfinder may be a little out of its league. The Traverse is the larger option with more passenger and cargo room, and it’s rated with better gas mileage.
These two SUVs don’t exactly compete in the same class but are similarly priced with six-cylinder engines and all-wheel drive. The Pathfinder is a truck-based SUV with more off-road capability. On the other hand, the Traverse is more on-road-minded and functions more like a minivan than a traditional SUV.
A six-cylinder, all-wheel-drive combo in the Pathfinder starts at $29,540, and the Traverse is $31,224. Neither price includes a destination fee.
The Traverse has room for up to eight occupants, and the Pathfinder seats seven; both have standard third rows. You’ll find more cargo space behind the Traverse’s third row, as it measures 24.4 cubic feet compared with the Pathfinder’s 16.5 cubic feet.
The six-cylinder Pathfinder with all-wheel drive is rated at 14/20 mpg city/highway. The all-wheel-drive Traverse’s mileage is 16/23 mpg.
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I'm 6' 2" and the only crossovers or SUVs that I can fit in all three rows are the Ford Flex and the Toyota Sequoia. Take your kids and try a few vehicles that may not be on your shopping list.
Wait until Nissan puts the 7 speed automatic into the Pathfinder.
People need to get over their misplaced aversion to minivans. Nothing else offers the same excellent cargo space, comfort, mileage, and handling all in one package.
x2 on the minivan. Are there any AWD mini-vans still out there? Does Chrysler still offer theirs?
@Peppy:
Don't know about Chrysler, but the new Toyota Sienna offers an AWD option on some trim levels.
agree. the minivan aversion is absurd. instead, people are buying crossovers, which don't offer the space or fuel economy of a minivan just so they can drive a poser suv....only it's not politically correct to call them suvs anymore... apparently, by calling them a crossover, they magically gain 3 mpg and become environmentally conscious choices. this is similar to the way adding stickers and a huge/loud muffler to your civic/cavalier adds 25 hp!
Bob,
old Siennas also have AWD.
Cody is right. Doesn't matter if it is body on frame or uni-body. If it is weights 4000lb, has 8 inches of ground clearance and big wheels - this is SUV.
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"I want to carry a lot of cargo. And I want something good on gas"
Man, you need to pick one thing. These two not normally go along.
And in the real world Traverse's 16/23 will be 15/18.
Lets get serious. This man needs a minivan. No SUV will be as comfy as minivan.
Also, the Highlander has some of the best 2nd row accommodations. And if Traverse anything close to Enclave then second and third rows will be not so good.