Don’t Call the 2022 Nissan Pathfinder Weak

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Finally, the 2022 Nissan Pathfinder is hitting the streets. As critics sit behind the wheel of the refreshed Nissan Pathfinder, they mention that it didn’t get a new engine option, but that doesn’t matter. The Pathfinder has more than enough power. 

What engine does the 2022 Nissan Pathfinder have? 

2022 Nissan Pathfinder | Nissan

The 2022 Nissan Pathfinder is powered by the same 3.5-liter V6 engine from the previous generation. It still pumps out the same 284 hp and 259 lb-ft of torque as the older model and can tow up to 6,000 lbs. 

This is an impressive amount of power for a mid-size SUV, and it can tow more than its rivals that max out around 5,000 lbs. It has enough muscle to tow boats, campers, trailers, and more for family adventures. Plus, the Pathfinder can carry a payload of about 1,324 lbs. 

According to Truck Trend, Nissan ditched the old CVT transmission and replaced it with a ZF-sources nine-speed automatic one. This upped the fun and provided smooth shifting that never found the wrong gear. The Pathfinder can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in about 6.7 seconds, which is faster than the Kia Telluride. 

How does the Pathfinder perform? 

RELATED: Can the 2022 Nissan Pathfinder Make up for the Xterra?

The most fuel-efficient 2022 Nissan Pathfinder is the model equipped with optional all-wheel drive. The Pathfinder gets an EPA-estimated 21 mpg in the city and up to 27 mpg on the highway. 

You can add AWD for about $1,900, and trailer sway control comes standard. It sports a body-on-frame construction and the intelligent AWD system using direct coupling to transfer torque between the front and rear as needed. 

It’s been enhanced to provide better traction in slippery conditions. Plus, the new steering system is direct and responsive. There are seven driving modes, including Sand and Mud/Rut off-roading modes. The Pathfinder excels in highway driving, navigating trails, and maneuvering trailers. 

According to Car And Driver, the Pathfinder has a smooth, comfortable ride. The sound deadening elements also make the cabin incredibly quiet. However, the handling could be a little more entertaining. 

Is the Nissan Pathfinder family-friendly? 

A blue 2022 Nissan Pathfinder towing an ATV with drive modes shown
2022 Nissan Pathfinder | Nissan

Yes, the 2022 Nissan Pathfinder serves as an excellent family SUV. The 2022 model now offers captain chairs in the second row. There are 16.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third-row seats with up to 164.6 cubic feet of total interior volume. 

The Pathfinder now has more storage cubbies found throughout the cab, and there is a large bin under the center console that’s easy for the driver to access. There are plenty of USB ports, and the second row is easy to move out of the way. Kids and adults can easily access the third row, which also has more space now. 

An 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen comes standard, but you can upgrade to a 9.0-inch unit. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included and can be synced wirelessly on higher trim levels. 

You can add the optional 12.3-inch digital cluster gauge display, wireless phone charging pad, head-up display, Wi-Fi hotspot, and more. Standard safety features include automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, automatic high-beam headlamps, and lane-departure warning. 

At the end of the day, the Nissan Pathfinder doesn’t need a new, more powerful engine option. It outmuscles rivals as the perfect daily driver, adventurer, and family hauler. Plus, its fresh design looks great!

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Will the 2022 Nissan 400Z Be Worth Waiting For?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

With the 370Z on the way out, the stage is set for its successor: the Nissan 400Z. First shown as the Nissan Z Proto Concept, the rear-wheel-drive sports car is almost here. And while some things are still under wraps, others are rather clearer. That includes when Nissan plans on showing the 400Z off.

What leaks and the Nissan Z Proto Concept tell us about the 2022 400Z

2020 Nissan Z Proto Concept | Nissan

In both the interior and exterior, the 2020 Nissan Z Proto Concept borrows heavily from vintage Z cars. Still, production cars don’t always follow their concept versions closely, due to things like budgets and safety regulations. However, based on the video game and Instagram leaks, it appears the production 400Z follows the Z Proto’s looks fairly closely, Car and Driver notes.

As far as what’s under the hood, like the 370Z, the 2022 Nissan 400Z comes with a V6. However, unlike the 370Z, the 400Z’s V6 reportedly comes with two turbochargers, Road & Track says. Rumors suggest it’s the Infiniti Q60’s twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6, tuned to make as much as 400 hp. And while an automatic transmission will be available, the RWD sports car will also offer a manual.

In terms of price, specifics remain unknown. However, a Nissan Z forum user claims the 400Z will start at $34,995. And if the user’s claims are accurate, Nissan will also offer two $5000 packages: Type S and Type T, MotorTrend reports.

Some details are still unknown…for now

The black-and-yellow front seats and dashboard of the 2020 Nissan Z Proto Concept
2020 Nissan Z Proto Concept interior | Nissan

As of this writing, those are the most concrete details available on the 2022 Nissan 400Z. Although The Drive recently spent some time around the Z Proto Concept, it’s worth remembering that the ‘Proto’ stands for ‘prototype.’ As in, it’s “a show car with limited functionality,” The Drive reiterates. Therefore, it’s difficult to glean any significant information about the production version.

That being said, the prototype car does hint at a few things. For example, the Z Proto Concept retains the classic Z car three-gauge stack on the dashboard. But unlike the outgoing 370Z, there’s a large center-mounted touchscreen, presumably with a modern infotainment system. And The Drive notes that the Z Proto’s rear tires are wider than the ones on the 370Z Nismo and the Infiniti Q60 Red Sport.

What isn’t clear, though, is precisely how much of the 370Z’s platform carries over to the 400Z. The Z Proto Concept is “likely built on a largely unmodified 370Z platform,” The Drive says, but again, it’s a show car. That being said, MT claims the 400Z retains its predecessor’s chassis. However, that doesn’t things like the suspension, brakes, and engine position couldn’t change.

The 2022 Nissan 400Z has an official reveal date

A yellow 2021 Toyota Supra 3.0 parked on a gravel spot on a tree-covered mountain
2021 Toyota Supra 3.0 | Joe Santos

Luckily, Z enthusiasts won’t have to wait long to learn more. The 2022 Nissan 400Z is scheduled to officially debut on August 17, 2021. It’s unclear, though, how much the COVID-19 pandemic and global supply shortages may have affected the production schedule.

Without driving the production-spec 400Z, it’s impossible to say with any certainty if it’s worth considering or not. However, if its official price falls close to $35K-$40K, it would undercut its biggest rival, the Toyota Supra. In base form, the 255-hp Toyota Supra 2.0 starts at $43,090. As for the 382-hp Supra 3.0, it starts at $51,090. And neither has a manual transmission.

Determining if the 2022 Nissan 400Z is worth waiting for will have to wait until August 17. But if the rumors and leaks are accurate, it just might be.

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RELATED: At the Heart of Every McLaren Is a Nissan

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3 Planes Under $25,000 For Beginner Pilots

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Summer is a great time to get away. If you’re a pilot, you might be able to fly away to farther-off locations. You might not have considered owning your own airplane, but that might actually be possible. There are planes that cost less than the average new car does. Owning your own airplane is one trick to escaping from the road and going wherever you want.

While twin-engine piston planes, turboprops, and jets might be too expensive and out of reach, a single-engine piston plane might be possible. These are more affordable both to purchase and to operate as well. Some can be very small, but they offer a nice flying range and decent speed. Here are three single-engine piston airplanes that come in under $25,000.

The affordable Aeronca Champ 7AC plane

The average price of the Aeronca Champ 7AC starts at $17,000, and it’s affordable to operate as well. This small plane can carry the pilot and one passenger in tandem seats with the pilot up front. It has a maximum range of 201 miles.

This relaxed plane has a cruising speed of 85 MPH. Depending on the model year, the plane has between a 65-hp and a 95-hp Continental engine, explains Plane & Pilot. The Aeronca Champ 7AC has good fuel efficiency, burning four to five gallons per hour. This classic airplane used to be a common one for learning to fly, says PilotMall.com.

The Cessna 150 has an average starting price of $17,500, just slightly above the average cost of the Aeronca Champ 7AC. There is space for one passenger along with the pilot in this airplane. The two seats are side by side. It has a maximum range of 349 miles, the longest of these three planes.

It’s the speediest of the three too, with a cruising speed of 124 MPH. The Cessna 150 has a 100-hp Continental O-200 engine. It burns about seven gallons of fuel per hour. The Cessna 150 offers great handling and is often used as a training plane. It provides “generous stall warning and aerodynamic stability,” says PilotMall.com, and it’s easier than other planes to fly and land.

It’s an easy transition for pilots who trained in this style of airplane to switch over to their own Cessna 150. There’s also nice visibility for taking in the view plus some space for bags. Buyers have some options in appearance. Earlier Cessna 150 planes had a straight tail with a fastback upper fuselage, explains Plane & Pilot. Later planes had a swept tail and a rear window.

The economical Ercoupe 415-D

The Ercoupe 415-D has an average starting price of $24,900 and is economical to operate. Like the Aeronca Champ 7AC and the Cessna 150, the Ercoupe 415-D can transport the pilot and one passenger. It has a maximum range of 300 miles.

This airplane has a cruising speed of 95 MPH. Engine power depends on the model, and later model years had up to 90 hp. It burns only six gallons of fuel per hour. The Ercoupe 415-D was the first civilian plane that had a nosewheel and was certified as “non-stallable and non-spinnable,” says PilotMall.com.

The Ercoupe 415-D has been manufactured by at least five companies, reports Plane & Pilot. Early models didn’t have rudder control, but later ones often do. An interesting feature on this plane is a canopy that can be opened during flight, providing what Plane & Pilot describes as a “flying convertible.”

If you’re thinking of buying your first airplane, the Aeronca Champ 7AC, Cessna 150, and Ercoupe 415-D are three good options to consider. These single engine piston planes all have average starting prices of less than $25,000, making them more affordable than you might have guessed.

RELATED: Hyundai Flying Cars Begin Testing As Soon As Possible

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The Towing Capacity of the 2021 Honda Odyssey Might Surprise You

by Gabrielle DeSantis

When it comes to picking out a vehicle to tow with, we often think of pickup trucks and SUVs. But, it isn’t impossible to tow with other vehicles, either, such as some crossovers, sedans, and even sports cars. What you might not have expected is that minivans can also offer a decent amount of towing capacity, only adding to the practicality of the vehicle. In fact, popular options like the 2021 Honda Odyssey have enough towing capacity to make it the ultimate summer road trip vehicle no matter what you’re towing along.

What is the towing capacity of the 2021 Honda Odyssey?

The 2021 Honda Odyssey has a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds no matter what trim level you choose, and that stands true for the 2020 model as well. According to Honda, they even offer a variety of equipment for towing in different ways designed for the Odyssey. This includes a hitch receiver, harness, locking pin, and hitch ball. While you can find most of these towing components without the Honda name at many auto parts stores, the important thing to keep in mind is to make sure the harness connector works, which for the 2021 Odyssey is a 7-pin round connector.

Honda Odyssey minivan vehicle| Daniel Acker, Bloomberg, Getty Images

What can you tow with 3,500 pounds of towing capacity?

If towing isn’t a regular task for you, the towing capacity of 3,500 pounds might not give much of an explanation of what your 2021 Honda Odyssey can actually tow. With 3,500 pounds of towing capacity, you can bring along a smaller pop-up camper, jet skis, or even a small boat — but it’s always important to double-check the exact weight of what you are looking to tow because it can vary greatly with the additional weight of a trailer or additional cargo. The Odyssey offers just enough towing capacity to be a truly practical vehicle, but you should never exceed the rated towing capacity.

Getting the right towing equipment for a minivan

Unlike trucks and SUVs, however, most minivans sit lower to the ground. This is great when it comes to ease of access, but it also means that trailers with attachments that sit too high off of the ground won’t reach with a ball hitch. Getting a trailer that works well with your 2021 Honda Odyssey is just one step of the process, and even though the vans do have a standard towing capacity, they don’t necessarily come with all of the towing accessories that you may need. That means towing with your Odyssey might be a bit of an investment at the start to ensure you have all of the right towing equipment.

RELATED: Honda Odyssey VS Toyota Sienna: Which Minivan is Better?

The towing capacity of the 2021 Honda Odyssey might come as a surprise to buyers, and even some owners, you might not have considered using their minivan as a towing vehicle, and while it won’t tow along big boats or fifth-wheel trailers, it’s more than enough for a fun summer adventure.

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