Editors' Most Wanted Vehicles for 2001

Midsize SUV

Winner: Nissan Pathfinder

What a difference 80 extra horses make! With the introduction of its all-new, 3.5-liter 24-valve V6 in the 2001 Pathfinder, the midsize sport-ute galloped from 170 horsepower (in the 3.3-liter 1999.5 version) to a whopping 250 horses (with a manual transmission - automatics make 240 horses). Now, the truck that had everything but a heart is pumping blood faster than any of its competition, including some V8s. Redesigned in 1999.5, the Pathfinder was then one of the most sure-footed, smooth-riding and best-looking SUVs on the midsize market. The interior combined the elegance, luxury and sportiness of the Maxima sedan with the truck-like utility of the workhorse Frontier pickup. With unibody construction, five-link rear suspension and front independent suspension, Pathfinder offered solid road feel and a smooth comfortable ride. And the new, muscular exterior design suggested substance, quality and strength. The powerplant, however, was a dud. That's what makes the 2001 Pathfinder so special. All of the good things from the recent redesign were carried over to the 2001 Pathfinder, and the addition of the new engine transformed it from timid prey scuttling up on-ramps to a roaring predator in the passing lane. The estimated zero-to-60 mph time dropped from a glacial 10.9 seconds to a global warming 8.8. The new Pathfinder is available in three trim levels from reasonably well-equipped to luxurious, each with a choice of two- or four-wheel drive. Though the rear seat is a tight squeeze for adults, benefits outweigh detriments when it comes to Pathfinder ownership.