By Tim Plouff

Seeking greater profits as the country’s economy rebounded from several depressing years in the late 1970s, automakers created a new crop of enclosed cabin trucks that invited off-road adventures. Promising to take us to places that we didn’t normally visit, these modified trucks coincided with a fast-growing emphasis in outdoors recreation. These mid-size sport utility vehicles were exciting, versatile, and fun, while oozing a distinctive personality.

Beloved by their owners, and amongst the best-selling vehicles in the country, these adventure vehicles may say more about our own personalities than their actual daily usage would suggest.

However, those among us bent on creating cultural divides and waging class warfare over individual choices have targeted these trucks and their owners as everything that is evil today in the world, or the world as they see it.

Where once the definition of a sport utility vehicle conjured images of four-wheel drive freedom, the acronym SUV is now frequently reviled by others and used only in negative connotations. The popular names Explorer, TrailBlazer, Grand Cherokee, 4Runner, Durango, Pathfinder and Mountaineer may be targets for some ill-formed opinions, yet these trucks have matured and improved each year as their fans, and sales, have steadily increased.

Like all automotive segments, the mid-size sport utility class has evolved into several fragmented sub-segments, providing a multitude of choices to meet various driving preferences.

Buyers can choose between body-on-frame truck-based models for tough towing, working, and playing; crossover unibody designs that share basic engineering with cars; or, compromise designs that take a little bit from each orientation combining a list of virtues with few shortcomings.

While some are better at specific tasks, all are better in every venue compared to their ancestors and continue the hallmark of the industry — and society — of choice reigning supreme.

Nissan’s Pathfinder has traditionally been recognized as one of the more rugged and dependable sport utility vehicles, but one that was missing some of the spit and polish of some of the class contemporaries.

The newest Pathfinder remedies that perception by combining the rugged capabilities of its forbearers with a complete chassis redesign, a larger body and a more comfortable cabin.

With attributes that easily match the best from Toyota’s 4Runner and Jeep’s Grand Cherokee, the Pathfinder might even appeal to those buyers interested in Nissan’s other mid-size sport utility, the Murano crossover wagon.

The latest Pathfinder has grown five inches in length, three inches in width, plus six more inches between the wheelwells.

While weight also jumps about 450 pounds, a brand new 4.0-liter V-6 provides the kind of robust forward motion that has been missing from earlier Pathfinders.

Besides better towing power, merging acceleration and throttle response, the new V-6 (shared with our previously reviewed Xterra and Frontier pickups) is decidedly more fuel-efficient.

Using the strong frame design of the Titan pickup, the Pathfinder wears a boxy, square-shouldered body that looks like no other. Clearly, Nissan doesn’t want you to confuse this sport utility with any other.

All models now come with three rows of seating. Both second- and third-row seats are split 50/50 to fold, making a flat, plastic-covered load floor with flush-mounted anchor points. Middle-row seats also recline a notch for added comfort. Unfortunately, third-row occupants need to be short of inseam to fit here.

First- and second-row seating is average in space — nothing exceptional, nothing negative. Head and legroom are more than adequate, plus power pedals allow more driver seating flexibility.

Peak cargo volume and maximum passenger space is greater than several competitors. However, pile on some large bulky coats and the cabin feels narrower.

A hidden storage bin under the second row area is a clever idea, while the integrated trip computer in the instrument panel also includes an outside temperature gauge. Add a superb Bose audio system, with steering wheel controls and optional satellite radio, and the Pathfinder edges closer to the upscale level of refinement apparent in some other interiors.

Underpinning this larger truck is a new fully independent double-wishbone suspension, a rarity for trucks like the Pathfinder that are meant to hit the trails. Ride compliance is greatly improved, yet car drivers will still find the Murano, and other crossover wagons, smoother over-the-road vehicles for everyday driving.

The Pathfinder has good ground clearance and stiff springs when you do venture off the pavement, plus the electronic traction aids, electric shift four-wheel drive and limited slip axle, to make this travel efficient.

These same vehicle stability control and anti-lock brake systems make the Pathfinder more capable for winter’s hazardous driving.

The previous Pathfinder had adequate power at best. The larger V-6 used in all new versions is no slouch, delivering a quite snappy 270 hp. The only transmission is a slick-shifting five-speed automatic with manual mode. Together, this powertrain lets the Pathfinder pull up to 6,000 pounds of trailer and earn EPA mileage estimates of 15 mpg city, 21 mpg highway. My best fuel economy was a commendable 22.5 mpg while total mileage for seven days together exceeded 19 mpg.

I like the direction that Nissan is heading. Its lineup has been rebuilt from top to bottom with quality, class-competitive vehicles, many of which are now built here in the USA.

Obviously, a lot of car and truck buyers like Nissan’s path too, as Nissan’s U.S. sales are up 16 percent so far this year.

Honda has eclipsed Dodge this year for fourth place on the sales charts. Nissan is on pace to jump over Dodge and claim the fifth spot by early 2007.

So far in 2005, Pathfinder sales have almost tripled last year’s sales volume, a sure sign that not everyone dislikes sport utility vehicles.

There’s a lot here to like and shoppers will miss out if they don’t consider the new Pathfinder when they need another adventurous family wagon.