Pathfinder Mk2

A clean sheet redesign from Japan, the Pathfinder Mk2 junked its truck-style separate chassis frame for a more car-like monocoque body (albeit beefed up with deep longitudinal box sections for added strength and rigidity).

The wheelbase grew 50mm to 2700mm, as did width (55mm), length (165mm), height (10mm) and cargo area (110mm). Torsional stiffness also improved by 2.9 times, while bending stiffness 2.3 times.

The rear suspension remained a coil spring set-up but the MacPherson strut front and rack and pinion steering were new.

A new, larger 125kW/266Nm 3.3-litre VG33E V6 increased performance, although the part-time 4WD system was carried over.

The upshot of all this was a far more refined, roomier and easy to drive 4WD.

The base RX included the limited slip differential, air-conditioning, power steering, power mirrors and central locking, while the luxury TI included dual airbags, a CD player, sunroof, keyless entry and power windows.

The latter two found there way into the RX from late ’97.