2013 Nissan Pathfinder Earns Top Honors for Styling and Cargo-Hauling Utility

FRANKLIN, TENN. – The all-new 2013 Nissan Pathfinder earned recognition from Popular Mechanics in its all-new 2013 Automotive Excellence Awards placing at the top in the versatility category.

The magazine's annual Automotive Excellence Awards recognize ten of the best cars and trucks of the year as determined by the Popular Mechanics automotive editorial team. The full package of honorees is featured in the December issue of Popular Mechanics that hit newsstands earlier this week.

Al Castignetti, vice president and general manager – Nissan division, Nissan North America, said: "The completely-redesigned Pathfinder was engineered to be the perfect family adventure vehicle. Advanced technology features and comfortable seating for the whole family were not compromised in pursuit of class-leading fuel efficiency. This honor from Popular Mechanics is proof that we have accomplished our goals for the 2013 Pathfinder, and we thank the publication for its recognition."

Popular Mechanics' associate editor, Andrew Del-Colle, added: "By ditching the last-gen Pathfinder's body-on-frame design and optional V-8 for a sleeker unibody construction and a tidy V-6, Nissan made the Pathfinder into a fuel-efficient crossover that is more spacious and more practical all around."

The all-new 4th generation Pathfinder features a completely redesigned chassis and body, which, in conjunction with a class-exclusive Xtronic CVT® transmission*, helps the vehicle to attain class-leading fuel economy** of 26 mpg highway and a more comfortable ride than the outgoing model. Despite its increase in fuel efficiency, the 2013 Pathfinder is now a slightly larger vehicle as well, with best-in-class interior passenger volume* and best-in-class front headroom and front legroom*.

While the level of comfort and convenience is further augmented by segment-exclusive convenience technology such as Around View Monitor*/***, a class-exclusive 3rd row recline* and Easy-Fill Tire Alert*, the Pathfinder maintains its capability with a class-leading standard towing capability* of 5,000 lbs and intuitive 4WD, featuring class-exclusive selectable 2WD, Auto and 4WD lock modes*. 

The new Pathfinder also addresses the "innovation that excites" needs of today's drivers, with levels of responsive acceleration, braking, handling and ride comfort expected of a Nissan product.

*Ward's Large Cross/Utility Market Segmentation. MY13 Pathfinder vs. 2012 Large Cross/Utility Class
**Ward's Large Cross/Utility segment. '13 Pathfinder vs. '12 and '13 competitors. '13 Pathfinder 2WD EPA fuel economy estimate 20 city and 26 highway MPG. Actual mileage may vary with driving conditions — use for comparison purposes only.)
***Parking aid/convenience feature. Cannot completely eliminate blind spots or warn of moving objects. May not detect every object. Always check surroundings before moving vehicle. Not a substitute for proper backing procedures. Always turn to check what is behind you before backing up.

About Popular Mechanics
Popular Mechanics empowers readers to navigate the increasingly complex, technological world around us. The magazine, published monthly by Hearst Magazines, inspires, instructs and influences nine million curious readers. Their mindset - the hunger to know, the desire to investigate and learn - drives them to explore, experiment and experience a wide range of interests. Issues engage readers with breakthroughs in the latest innovations in science and technology; educates with informative "how-to" stories on automotive, the home and digital technology; and motivates action with product reviews and comparison tests of the newest equipment and products. Popular Mechanics is also the #1-ranked men's monthly magazine when it comes to reaching an environmentally conscious audience. The brand is a 21st-century must-read, with a robust Web site (popularmechanics.com) and an award-winning tablet edition. Follow Popular Mechanics on Twitter at @PopMech.

About Nissan North America
In North America, Nissan's operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. Nissan is dedicated to improving the environment under the Nissan Green Program and has been recognized as an ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year in 2010, 2011, and 2012 by the U.S Environmental Protection Agency. More information on Nissan in North America and the complete line of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles can be found online at www.NissanUSA.com and www.InfinitiUSA.com, or visit the Americas media sites NissanNews.com and InfinitiNews.com.

About Nissan
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Japan's second-largest automotive company, is headquartered in Yokohama, Japan, and is part of the Renault-Nissan Alliance. Operating with more than 248,000 employees globally, Nissan provided customers with more than 4.8 million vehicles in 2011, generating revenue of 9.4 trillion yen ($118.95 billion US). With a strong commitment to developing exciting and innovative products for all, Nissan delivers a comprehensive range of 64 models under the Nissan and Infiniti brands. A pioneer in zero-emission mobility, Nissan made history with the introduction of the Nissan LEAF, the first affordable, mass-market, pure-electric vehicle and winner of numerous international accolades, including the prestigious 2011-2012 Car of the Year Japan and 2011 World Car of the Year awards.

For more information on our products, services and commitment to sustainable mobility, visit our website at http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/.

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Media Contact:
Phil Lienert
Nissan Product Communications
615-725-5236
phil.lienert@nissan-usa.com
www.nissannews.com