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Nissan Pathfinder
The next generation midsize sport utility vehicle aims for balance and finesse

One problem you'll find with the new Pathfinder is that it drives too well. The effortless ease, the luxury of stitched leather over responsive steering and a seating position that is closer to perfection than anyone else – these are the things that will take away any feel of the road or lack of it underneath.

Although featuring three rows of exceptionally dressed-up seats and showing off a 4-litre V6, this Nissan is only termed a midsize SUV. Of course, if you compare it to the gargantuan Armada, it looks positively teeny. But what you will find is that the Pathfinder is very sensibly sized, and handles perfectly on city roads, with enough baggage space for long forays out of town.

There's no denying the Pathfinder is a great vehicle – your reasons for debating about it will revolve around looks, personal opinion and price. Apart from these, it is guaranteed to do pretty much anything you ask of it, in Muscat or out. At the base of all this is Nissan's much touted F-Alpha platform. This version includes an independent suspension in the rear, and generally bigger engines on the line-up.

Such robust platforms and commendable handling shouldn't come as much of a surprise, though. The first non-Japanese person to run a Japanese car company, CEO Carlos Ghosn is the hero and founder of the 'Nissan Revival Plan.' It saw the automaker rebound in what many leading economists consider to be one of the most spectacular corporate turnarounds in history, catapulting Nissan to record profits. Of course, Nissan is also noted for being one of the world's leading manufacturers of automobile engines, with its VG and VQ V6 engines appearing on 'Ward's Ten Best Engines' for 12 straight years. You'll find a variant of this exceptional machine under the hood of your Pathfinder too.

Get in and the SUV seems to fit you instinctively. Everything is perfectly positioned, and once you're through fine-tuning the seat, steering wheel and mirrors, the car will fit like a glove. The slightly raised viewing angle, the spacing of the pedals and the width of the steering wheel couldn't have been better planned. And that thought goes much deeper. Hit the accelerator and although you have some very powerful infrastructure beneath, the ride is surprisingly refined. A lot of muscle with a lot of padding. The four-wheel independent suspension attempts to balance ride comfort and off-road toughness, but many think it ultimately sides with the latter. They point to its exceptionally smooth ride in the city, right until you take a turn fast and sharp. This is when there's a hint of body roll, reminding you that this SUV is more off-road than, say, the Nissan Murano. But as long as you don't do anything extreme you will ignore these little hiccups, won over by immaculate manners and trimmings. They deserve consideration, even if it means cornering sensibly.