New Review 2005 Nissan Pathfinder

All-new for 2005, the third-generation Pathfinder has grown larger and more capable while morphing back from unit-body to its original body-on-frame configuration. Built on a scaled-down version of Nissan's rugged F-Alpha truck chassis employed by the Titan, the new Pathfinder nets 6.2 inches more wheelbase--to 112.2--over the compact model it replaces, plus gains a fully independent suspension like its full-size kin, the Armada. Available in XE, SE, SE Off-Road (Rancho shock absorbers, Hill Descent/Start Assist controls, bespoke wheels/tires/suspension, skidplates), and LE trim, and 2WD or 4WD, all share a common 4.0-liter V-6 engine and offer standard seating for seven.

The Pathfinder's angular lines, bold front brightwork, stepped-out rear bumper, and reverse-kick C-pillar reinforce family ties with the Armada, while prominent fender flares, short overhangs, and standard roof rack and
running boards emphasize its "adventurous" attitude. The XE, SE, and SE Off-Road have 16-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 245/75, 265/70 and 265/75 all-terrain tires, respectively, while the lightweight 17-inch rims on LE models carry 265/65 all-season rubber.

Nicely finished, easily accessible, and generously equipped, the Pathfinder displays numerous design cues also seen in its equally new Frontier and Xterra stablemates. The most obvious is the dash, replete with legible instruments and finger-friendly audio and climate controls. Standards include a full array of power assists, air conditioning (dual-zone auto with rear controls is LE standard/SE optional), cruise control, six-speaker AM/FM/CD sound system, keyless remote entry, tire pressure monitor, and privacy glass, with the LE swapping cloth trim for leather. Smaller items can be stowed in a dual-door glovebox with lockable compartment, open and covered console bins, or door pockets--with bottle holders up front. Further convenience features include four cupholders, four 12V powerpoints, and 12 tie-down hooks.

While total cabin space is up by 27 percent, its utility varies. Hip, leg, shoulder, and cargo room have grown far more meaningfully than the marginal gains in headroom; and taller riders may still find low overhead an issue, even without the available power sunroof. The front buckets are comfortable, but their lower cushions are on the short side and lateral support is modest. An

eight-way driver's seat is power activated in all but the XE, and the LE adds four-way power to the fold-flat passenger perch, plus front seat heaters. The buckets also get active head restraints that help prevent whiplash injuries.

One tier back, the 40/20/40 second-row bench also offers easy entry/exit, although its firmish, flatish, and shortish seat elements look best in comparison to those of the third-row seat. Even with Nissan's tip-and-flip feature, accessing that kid-scaled 50/50 split bench is cumbersome. However, each side folds completely flat at the tug of a lever, increasing cargo space from 16.1 cu ft to a healthy 49.2 cu ft. While dropping the second-row involves one additional, albeit small, step, doing so creates a cavernous 79.2 cu ft of free space. Another nice touch is the Pathfinder's large rear hatch, with a pop-up glass element that adds even greater flexibility.

New 2005 Nissan Frontier

The new Frontier is more stylish than the outgoing model. It is also bigger, with a 9.8-inch-longer wheelbase, sizing it more like a Dodge Dakota than a traditional mid-size pickup. Like most of Nissan's new trucks, it uses a derivative of the F-Alpha platform that underpins the Titan and the Armada, and it has an available 4.0-liter DOHC V-6 engine mated to either a five-speed automatic or a six-speed manual transmission. Those who are (truly) budget-conscious can buy a King
Cab model with an in-line four-cylinder engine. As before, King and Crew Cab variants are available, along with a shift-on-the-fly all-wheel-drive system. Niceties include a factory-fitted spray-in bedliner and a track bed tie-down system.

ON SALE: December 2004PRICE: $14,500 (est.)ENGINES: 150-hp, 2.5-liter I-4; 250-hp, 4.0-liter V-6BOTTOM LINE: As subtle as a flying brick.

New 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt - IntelliChoice

Introduction
Long overdue for replacement, the decade-old Cavalier is finally being succeeded by not one but two cars--the bargain-basement, Korean-built Aveo and the bigger, better, America-made Cobalt. Introduced as a 2005 model, the Cobalt is GM's most ambitious attempt to date to go fender-to-fender with compact Asian imports. Although it shares the Delta platform with the widely scorned Saturn Ion, the Cobalt has proved to be an exemplar of what GM engineers can accomplish, staying true to Chevrolet values while advancing a cost-sensitive product to the center of a hotly contested segment. Solidly built, suitably refined, and attractively priced, it's an American car that can compete with its foreign rivals. The Cobalt is offered as either a coupe or sedan, both available in Base and LS trim. The high-line LT is unique to the sedan. High-performance fans are served by the dramatic SS coupe, which boasts a demeanor worthy of "The Fast and the Furious" through its bodywork, suspension tuning, potent supercharger, and sporty interior touches.

Exterior
Chevrolet describes the exterior design of the Cobalt as "clean and uncluttered, with a tailored, refined execution." In other words, it's boring. Unfortunately, there's still enough Cavalier in the Cobalt's styling DNA to scream "Avis Vacation Special." But to be fair, the inoffensive sheetmetal is arguably more appealing than that of competitors like the Toyota Corolla and Hyundai Elantra. The generously sized wheels and tires--195/60R15s on the Base model and LS and 205/55R16s on the LT--look great. Drivers looking for more visual panache should consider the more-aggressive-looking SS, which rides on low-profile 18-inch tires and benefits from an in-your-face (and in-your-rear-mirror) rear wing that looks like the calling card of a Hot Import Nights car show.

Interior
General Motor's interiors have long set the standard for frugality. By this standard, the Cobalt is not merely a revelation but a genuine miracle. Sure, there's a lot of plastic, but it looks and feels good, and the fit and finish are in the hunt with the best in class. Much of the switchgear is a cut above the GM norm. The mostly plain cabin is dressed up with well-intended touches such as chrome trim around the gauges and stereo controls, but don't look too closely--it's plastic and appears cheaply wrought. The seats are upholstered in high-quality cloth, but while the front units are comfortable, rear legroom is a bit cramped even in the four-door sedan. Air conditioning, a rear-window defroster, CD player, and tilt steering are all standard in even the base model. Moving up to the LS gets you cruise control, keyless entry, and power everything, while the LT comes with leather, heated seats, and a thumping Pioneer audio system. The interior motif of the SS is "Speed Racer" Lite, from the leather-wrapped shift lever to an A-pillar-mounted boost gauge. An MP3 player is also part of the SS product mix.

Safety
Safety is an area where manufacturers can cut costs in ways consumers often overlook--a common tactic in the small-car wars. The Cobalt is as good as, if not better than, most of its competition on the safety-equipment front. The standard brake configuration puts large vented discs up front and composite drums in the rear. All trims except Base feature four-channel anti-lock brakes with rear proportioning as standard equipment; it's a recommended option on Base. Dual front airbags are found across the board, and side-curtain airbags are available. Typical of this class, stability control is not available. In case of emergency, the optional OnStar in-vehicle safety and security service can provide an extra measure of comfort.