The new 2005 Nissan had no trouble off-road handling the mud in the woods at Camp Spillman in Mason County at a press event last month.

Sport utility vehicles (SUVs) have certainly come a long way since Nissan was on the cutting edge of this new vehicle phenomenon back in 1986 with its first Pathfinder. Like most of the original SUVs, the Pathfinder evolved from Nissan’s compact pickup, and for the next decade was the sole SUV in Nissan’s model line.

Fast forward to today. The all-new, totally redesigned, third-generation, 2005 Nissan Pathfinder is bigger, more powerful, much more refined and downright luxurious than the Pathfinder we’ve known for most of two decades. It is by design, more like truck-like than the car-based crossover SUVs we’ve gotten used to — like Nissan’s own stylish Murano, which has as much in common with its trendy sedans as with its trucks.

The new Pathfinder joins a complete lineup of Nissan SUVs, which in addition to the crossover Murano includes the full-size Armada and outdoor-oriented Xterra. It utilizes the same rugged, fully boxed all-steel body-on-frame construction used for the full-size Titan pickup, replacing the 2004 sedan-style unibody frame. The new Pathfinder remains classified as a mid-sized SUV because of its dimensions, and although boasting renewed emphasis on off-road capability, it’s offered in both 4x4 or 4x2 configurations.

Also, while previous Pathfinders have been imported from Japan, the 2005 version is built in Smyrna, Tenn.

Walkaround: From the looks of the new Titan, Frontier and full-size Armada SUV, Nissan has clearly created a stylish new image for its truck lineup. It was first shown at the 2004 North American International Auto Show in Detroit this past January. Featuring an angled, strut-style grille, no-nonsense front end and straightforward functionality, the 2005 Pathfinder’s family resemblance is unmistakable.

Yet it also manages to deftly blend some styling cues — most notably the large hood, big integrated fender flares, Nissan’s signature angled C-pillars with high-mounted rear door handles, and short front and rear overhangs, from the current, 2004 model.

Every dimension in the 2005 Pathfinder is significantly larger than previous models. The 112.2-inch wheelbase adds 6 inches for improved ride quality and stability, while the Pathfinder is also longer overall, wider and slightly taller, adding to total interior volume.

The standard wheels are 16-inch alloys, with 17-inchers optional. New exterior features on the Pathfinder include a tailgate with separate, flip-up rear glass and an integrated roof rack. A power sunroof, running boards, and heated outside mirrors are optional.

Interior: The new Pathfinder also shares interior design cues with its sibling full-size Nissan trucks. The family resemblance is obvious in the straightforward instrumentation that moves with the adjustable steering wheel, signature amber lighting, and large-knob controls organized in a no-nonsense center stack.

The adjustable front seats are larger than buckets, yet not big enough to be classified as Captain’s Chairs. Either way, they’re comfortable, with a large center console between them.

New for 2005 is the two-place third-row seat — the first one for Pathfinder — which expands seating to seven and adds cargo/passenger flexibility. Access is easy, via a one-touch slide mechanism that moves the second row seat forward and out of the way. The rear seat folds in halves and flat, while the second row splits to hold one, two or three passengers with the balance stowed for cargo room. The front-passenger seat back also folds flat creating space from the tailgate to the dash for long items. Nissan claims the new Pathfinder’s seating can be configured 64 different ways.

There are also eight tie-down hooks, each with a 110 pound capacity, in the cargo area and cool hidden storage units under the second-row seats.

Interior options include a DVD-based navigation system with a seven-inch LCD color screen, dual zone automatic temperature controls, wood trim, heated leather front seats with memory, power-adjustable foot pedals, a DVD entertainment system, Bose audio system with 6-CD changer with MP3 capability, and satellite radio.

The Pathfinder boasts the latest passive safety technology, including dual front airbags with electronic controls that account for the size and weight of the front passenger, and front seat belts with pretensioners and load limiters. All seating positions have three-point belts. Front-passenger side-impact airbags, and curtain-style head protection airbags for all outboard passengers, are optional.

Under the Hood: There’s one powerplant choice — a DOHC, 4.0-liter, 270 horse, high-output, version of Nissan’s latest VQ-series V6. Featuring an all-aluminum block and cast iron cylinders, it delivers 291 pounds-feet of torque at 4,000 RPM, with 80 percent of that available below 2,000 RPM. Towing capacity is 6,000 pounds.

This is the same engine found in the 350Z and Infiniti G35 sports cars — but tweaked for truck applications. It’s larger than the 3.5 liter motor in the previous Pathfinder and also features Nissan’s fully variable Induction Control System (NICS) Continuous Valve Timing Control (C-VTC) along with durability enhancements such as micro-finished cam and crankshaft surfaces, molybdenum-coated pistons, a silent, two-stage steel timing chain, and resin intake manifold.

That powerplant is married to a new five-speed automatic transmission — an upgrade from the previous four-speed. The upgraded gearbox has also improved both acceleration and fuel economy.

Behind The Wheel: I had the opportunity to drive several configurations of the new Pathfinder at a recent press event, which took us from downtown Seattle, across Bainbridge Island and out to Camp Spillman deep in the hinterlands of rural Mason County.

On the highway portion of the event, the engine delivered strong, even power with an ample torque curve for responsive acceleration at all speeds. Acceleration and handling were excellent on both the freeway and rural two-lane blacktops. What was missing was that usual top-heavy SUV feel in the curves.

The independent front suspension utilizes a sophisticated double-wishbone setup. The fully independent rear suspension imitates the larger Armada — departing from the conventional, solid rear axle truck design used on the Titan and the all-new 2005 Frontier compact pickup.

The 4X4 Pathfinder offers both conventional four-wheel drive with a two-speed transfer case and Nissan’s electronically controlled, push-button All-Mode system that has 2WD/AUTO/4HI/4LO modes. Nissan’s Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) anti-skid electronics are offered with a new electronic off-road traction system that works like the one used in the fabled Land Rover. The optional off-road package features high-performance shocks and more under-frame armor.

Off-road at Camp Spillman, we put the Pathfinder through its paces on a challenging off-road course, where it performed exceptionally well.

Fuel economy is about what you expect —15 city, 21 highway for the 4X4, while the 4x2 delivers 16 city, and 23 highway.

Whines: All the configuration choices will confuse some buyers, while allowing Nissan to spread prices over a wide range — $26,900 to $34,050 — before options.

 Bottom Line: The 2005 Pathfinder should be hitting dealer showrooms right about now. Nissan is re-emphasizing its truck roots, and its serious off-road and towing capabilities. But with new technology and more standard features, it’s also pretty posh, with all the conveniences comfort, and options you would expect. The 2005 Nissan Pathfinder is true to its off-road heritage but is also one great all-around daily driver.