Nissan Pathfinder

The Nissan Pathfinder is a big, rugged and fairly capable SUV that does owe rather more to the looks of the Land Rover Discovery than many corporate lawyers would deem strictly acceptable. No matter though, when it’s nowhere near as good.

• Comfort

  There isn't as much space in here as you get in a Discovery, and the ride quality is vastly inferior. It also feels far less composed in the corners, unable as it is to shake off its all-terrain origins.

  

• Performance

  With the 2.5-litre 4-cylinder diesel up front the Pathfinder is slow. Opt for the larger V6 petrol and its thirsty. The lesser of two evils is... You guessed it, the Land Rover Discovery.

  

• Cool

  Although a fine-looking beast in isolation, the Pathfinder is always going to suffer from simply not being the Discovery that it wants to be. And even if you can ignore that, none of your friends will.

  

• Quality

  Everything you see, hear and touch in the Pathfinder has a look, ring or feel of workmanlike durability about it. Even the seat fabric seems unusually hard wearing.

  

• Handling

  With off-roading still a serious consideration for the Pathfinder, it's on road antic leave a lot to be desired. Plenty of body roll, slow, heavy steering and a bumpy ride leave this way behind the benchmark Disco.

  

• Practicality

  You can get a Pathfinder with seven seats, but that third row is one of those deeply token, kids only, affairs. Fold both sets or rear seats over, however, and you get over 2,000litres of load space. That's a removals van.

  

• Running costs

  The diesel returns respectable mpg for this segment, although keep a careful eye on whopping company car tax. Residuals are strong for the private buyer though, what with it being quite cheap in the first place and built to last.