Nissan Pathfinder vs VW Touareg vs Tombstone Hill - Which Classic 4X4 Is Better Off-Road?

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( www.tfloffroad... ) Nissan Pathfinder vs VW Touareg vs Tombstone Hill - Which Classic 4X4 Is Better Off-Road?
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#NissanPathfinder #VWTouareg

[@TheMeanmarine13]

Just a relaxing day with your buddies and your dog, doing some off roading. Good stuff. This video put me in a great mood.

[@CloneSolo]

The old Pathfinders are so underrated.

[@cesarconh895]

They have a bigger ring gear than a Ford 9 inch at 233mm

[@legomaniac601]

Mine running like a champ with 200k with no issues

[@alexstaun7996]

@@legomaniac601 same I have 186 on my second gen, great vehicle only thing broken is the fuel gauge

[@HIDPCM]

I had the same and it is great I love it. It is a great 4x4 and very reliable. I saw a video of TFT about the Tuareg and I almost bought it. BUT, they are very unreliable ! there are plenty of video about Tuareg as junk cars! Expensive and difficult to repair. Great as new cars but you cannot go back in time. So buy the one that has proved being a long lasting car. Another thing is the Pathfinders feels like your are driving actually a truck a real one that will drive you everywhere.

[@bernainmolina7481]

Hell yea thet got a vg33e engine I've seen them last well over 300,000 miles with the same block

[@1REspawnPLS]

i don't know about everyone else but I will never get sick of seeing the Touareg take on every other off roader

[@richfarfugnuven6308]

I love that truck.

[@tmill2001]

I love my V10 TOUAREG! So much torque! Keep the tough t videos coming!

[@deejayimm]

I don't know, it's still kind of cool to see how off-road capable that thing was for decades without recognition. Clarkson told us, but Americans didn't listen. Of course back then you had to pirate Top Gear in order to watch it.

[@toddhoffmaster6057]

@@tmill2001 That is definitely the best of the eggs - V10 power and efficiency.

[@jamesmason7124]

@@tmill2001 lucky guy is it the R50 with the twin turbo V10 diesel

[@rohant]

I love how human and natural and relaxed your videos are, almost like we are actually just hanging out with you guys there

[@marshaldowns8957]

I love Nissan Pathfinders! I've got a 2000 R50 Pathfinder (2nd Gen). 206k miles and everything still works, and I do mean everything! A/C, electric sunroof, Bose cd changer/ tape deck, everything works. We use it as our winter vehicle and to pull our popup camper out into the mountains. I consider the Pathfinder to be the "poor man's" Land Cruiser! I only paid $1750 for it (that was 3 years ago) and I've put $1500 into repairs - The suspension and brakes needed replacement - but for a total of $3250, It was an excellent investment. I'm confident that I'll get another 100k miles out of it! The 3.3l VG33 engine does have a timing belt, but the service interval is 100k miles, and the engine is non-interference.

[@kirkadkison242]

I bought a 98 about a month ago and love it - congrats and enjoy your machine

[@MrBillsfishin]

For as simple as the Pathfinder is it did pretty good offroad. With a lift some decent tires and a locker it would be great offroad.

[@WW-wf8tu]

Honestly, I had the 95 SEV6 and with "decent tires" you did not need a "lift" or a "locker". It went everywhere Jeeps WITH lockers and lifts went. It was plenty great out of the box.

[@jerroldshelton9367]

I had an 87 SE with 31" BFG AT's and I never needed a lift or a locker. Ever. It was good enough to safely negotiate the overwhelming majority of open, legal routes on Forest Service or BLM land in bone-stock form. It would absolutely go everywhere a stock Willys MB, Ford GPW, or CJ2A could. If I need more capability than that to negotiate a trail, I'd rather walk, ride a horse, or ride a trail bike on it.

[@jerroldshelton9367]

@@WW-wf8tu My 87 SE would take me places that had my front-seat passenger needing a spatula to pry their clinched butt-cheeks off my upholstery. It didn't need a lift. That would have destroyed it excellent on-road handling and made it a pain in the tail to get in and out of, without adding anything needed to let me go where I wanted to in it. It didn't need a "locker." The LSD in the rear would turn both rear tires all of the time. It didn't need "decent tires," either. It had BFG AT's on it, which were plenty "decent" enough. "Plenty great out of the box" is how I would describe it, too.

[@jlh505050]

I bought an immaculate 2008 Touareg (123k miles) last summer because of TFL. I love it. General maintenance is as easy to do as on my 2005 Chevy Avalanche. Great on-road vehicle. Quiet and comfortable. I swap the tires/wheels to Goodyear Duratracs when my wife and I go off-roading near our home in northern Georgia mountains. The Touareg just walks right up and down the trails. We will never sell the Touareg. Thanks to Roman and the TFL team for shining a light on the Touareg.

[@TFLoffroad]

Congrats and thank for watching! -Tommy

[@toddhoffmaster6057]

@@TFLoffroad I will definitely be putting a bid in on the Touareg when you put it up for bid. Love that thing.

[@connorquinn1737]

Keep Uploading like this. YOU DONT NEED VIDEOGRAPHERS!👍🏻

[@insomniacryan9916]

No, seriously, you don't. I truly hate to say it, but so many of your other videos feel overproduced and curated, like you're just working so hard not to offend anyone (specifically, the car companies you're testing). This feels like some good backwoods science is getting done, and we get to watch.

[@zonacrs]

Love the spur of the moment laid back production. Good stuff.

[@richardmahoney9415]

Why do I find these reviews on old trucks and cars so interesting 🤷🏾‍♂️😂

[@pel6586]

I like these videos with older cars 💪🏻

[@V8AmericanMuscleCar]

Same! 👍

[@wallywal6139]

I really enjoyed this video. I have a 1990 Pathfinder SE V6 Sport that I bought from the original owner's estate in AZ. It was owned by a single woman, never smoked in and garaged all it's life with just over 51,000 original miles, every maintenance record, original window sticker, loaded including a sunroof and even the original floor mats. It's the same color as yours with a flawless grey/black corduroy interior. I had it put into daily driver condition (hadn't been driven in a while) and added BF Goodyear T/A's. It's in stunningly original condition and zero rust being in AZ. I almost never drive it so I'm going to check into selling it on your site. Didn't know that you did that! They just don't make these super rugged, small, body on frame SUV's anymore and it's a blast to drive and probably one of a kind at this point. Those little Nissans are tough as nails and really sweet.

[@user-up1wy3sy8k]

You should include the second generation 4Runner (90-95) to compete against the Pathfinder. Perfect competitors back then.

[@tylerrediger2838]

Old Pathfinder was done right, can’t believe Nissan went away from that. My first car was a 99 Pathfinder and it is a beast. Still in the family with my brother now, can’t wait to get it back eventually.

[@aaronbritt2025]

If that Pathfinder had a stick, I'd be a bidder when it hits TFL Bids.

[@jbutler9756]

Here we go. This is how I think Tommys slip test should be presented. Glad y'all came up with this. Really enjoy it for supplementing these offroad videos, not so much as their own videos. Keep it up!

[@drewhiz7334]

I shouldn't have been laughing so hard at the failed yodeling and the fact the pathfinder horn works half the time 🤣. Great video.

[@MarkRenn]

I had a 1987 Pathfinder (2-door). I would give anything to find another one.

[@jerroldshelton9367]

I had one, too, and it was a fantastic wild country exploration rig, just as it rolled on to the dealer lot in SE trim when new.

[@mdmigliori]

I have a 1988 2door white with v6 manual. I love it!. It is very impressive for a stock 4x4.

[@bradmckenzie3338]

That Touareg is a beast. So legit

[@jlsgarage872]

Don't underestimate those cheap wrangler tires. I've got them on my stock 01 XJ and they got me through so much ice and snow and mud last winter I love them

[@WW-wf8tu]

This is exactly what I wanted to see you do! This was a fantastic treat! Thank you TFL! You did not need extra cameras, could not tell the difference frankly. That XE-V6 should have impressed you. It obviously is not 100% matched with the roller test, but I could tell Tommy was pleasantly surprised by its capabilities. The MPG on the XE-V6 should have been around 15-17 MPG. Great content, keep it coming. :)

[@occckid123]

My dad had a 95 pathfinder xe! It got stolen in 1997 though.

[@deejayimm]

Back in those days you had to pick a line and keep some momentum. The traction control systems that came about in the meantime I've made a lot of far more capable vehicles. But the off-roaders were just more fun back then. I would rather have more fun on the trail, then be able to just idle through the whole trail.

[@Wecouldusemorethinking]

I wish you guys would put more vids like this out. Vehicles people can actually afford that isn’t another crossover review or some neutered new computer on wheels.

[@dintub83]

Nice nissan. Maybe put some fresh fluids in the diffs, gearbox etc. Good video 👍

[@StevenSato]

Love any Tombstone hill review. I do see something that both the pathfinder and touareg have in common, operable rear glass!

[@Offshore1977]

My father used to own a 1995 Pathfinder SE with the factory 31” tires and factory external tire carrier. It was nice to have the rear speakers on the headliner for when you have the rear cargo loaded.

[@JohnMiller-zn9pf]

Fun feature, I love how the rear doors blend in and give the Nissan a 2dr look

[@OldThomMerton]

I knew about the Tuareg tribe. I believe it is pronounced 'twa-REG'. Both are nice rigs but that Touareg is a BEAST. The 1st Gen Pathfinder is smaller and actually a good budget off-roader.

[@stouffvillegunggung443]

I had the exact same model of Pathfinder from new for 7 years. Then gave it to my sis who ran it for 8 years - no issues. At the time the multi link rear suspension on the Pathfinder gave it road holding leagues ahead of the old 4 wheel drives of the day.

[@nabeelmohammed2781]

Do a 2nd gen pathfinder or 4Runner. Easily the greatest trucks of the 90s

[@noahmcdaniel4920]

Last year of first gen touareg 2010 was given an above average reliability score, and if you get a tdi you’ll still have the emissions fix warranty for a couple years, which covers a ton of stuff like the whole fuel system, turbo, computers, etc. Honestly very good cost of ownership. Parts usually cost a little bit more but my 2010 has been bulletproof. And I got it from a dealer in an expensive car market with 38k miles for a little over $14k a year and a half ago. Incredible value. Most car you can possibly get for your money and they really figured out the reliability by 2010. Of course then they had to redesign it and soccer momify it.

[@JasnoGT]

This generation Pathfinder was one of my dream SUVs as a teen.

[@aredman22]

My 2003 Xterra also had the hood-latch-arm-thingy-hole-sealer. It's funny what Nissan carried on in future vehicles.

[@trailrunnah8886]

Great job with this one! I love the Pathfinder, I'm just amazed that one this nice still exists! Also great format, love the way the slip test is spliced in at relevant times, and you don't need videographers bc this looks great.

[@noahmcdaniel4920]

All I’m gonna say is a 2010 touareg tdi is the best SUV for the money. 28 mpg hwy, most comfortable car I’ve ever driven, shreds off road, can tow anything and you can get one for $10k with like 75k miles. The only 4x4 competitors at that price are like the outback and Rav4. Oh and the 2010 has an above average reliability score. The choice is simple!!! If you want a do everything adventure vehicle for less than $15k, get a 2010 touareg!!!

[@LandRoverDS2020]

Ya know what would be cool is for you guys to test a 2015 -17 Touareg and see how they do. A lot of us have the last Gen Touareg but have never really taken them off road. Keep up the great work. Thanks

[@dukefernando6956]

Those are some steep rusty hills. Always know, the camera does not do justice to show how steep they are. Amazing video guys.

[@TheAntinowherelane]

Having fun out on the trail is what we're here for! Loving the VW capability but definitely don't miss "maintaining" an older German vehicle lol

[@noahmcdaniel4920]

2010 touareg has good reliability

[@williamparker7823]

@@noahmcdaniel4920 I think they did away with the low range by 2010 or somewhere around there.

[@lakerkid8]

I'VE ALWAYS WANTED A TDI TOUAREG. SUPER HARD TO FIND THOUGH

[@johnshellenberg1383]

That old Pathfinder's LSD still works. Wow. Nissan used to make great stuff.

[@J4DS.]

It's amazing how you upload so much! Awesome vids!

[@Doncan0823]

I laugh when new generation gets amazed about old school.

[@MrTRexPh]

I almost bought a Pathfinder. I ended up purchasing a Sidekick. In hindsight, the interior space of the Pathfinder would've been better but I love the lightweightness and the off road capabilities of the Sidekick. I'm setting it up to be like a compact overlander.

[@Michael-sz4he]

If you can learn to work on this gen of VW yourself,, you're on to a winner...and a great relationship with your local wreckers for second hand parts.. Fantastic video!! More Blaze!

[@shawnjordan5712]

I had a very similar pathfinder in the early 90’s I lifted it and put on 33’s, put on stall tube bumpers and off raider the heck out of it lol

[@NoobToob2014]

My grandparents had an 87' pathfinder and later a 98' both were beautiful vehicles and I'm sad they both rusted away as Vancouver weather is very unforgiving especially in the winter

[@scrub8353]

I like these older video's of you guys...I bought a 97 QX4 cause wartching you guys..so when I saw you liking the new Bronco I chuckled becouse I will always keep my Wrangler, but also will keep the QX4..just completes the package ..lol

[@HotSneks]

In parts of SE Asia, this model of Pathfinder was succeeded by a newer generation called Nissan Terrano Spirit. Check them out! They're very cool and are most like the original!

[@mikebell2750]

The Pathfinder has a fair amount of suspension articulation (for a stock truck) and I think that this helped it on the more difficult part of the trail. Most new crossovers have 4 wheel independent suspension which is great on city streets and the highway, but is not so great off road.

[@SvenQ45]

Yeah they always had. Especially the Patrol Y61!

[@ascendantrobin3230]

13:15 the smooth jazz and the nissan tiptoeing 🤣😎 these shows always make me laugh, especially Roman’s yodeling! Blaze😍🐶

[@fpartidafpartida]

Man I miss my 1st Gen. SE green Pathfinder. That thing was AWSOME!. I actually took it on a road trip from MN to Breckinridge CO. and got to do some beautiful trails with it. I was one of the few stock vehicles taking on some of those paths. I was white-knuckled and puckering for a some parts, but it was an absolute blast. In fact, I’ve ordered a Rivian R!S LE in the green because it reminds me of that Pathfinder so much. I plan to recreate that road trip as soon as I get it 🤙

[@JonR_1138]

I've had 2 Pathfinders in my lifetime. I ran them both ragged. If I was going off-road, I'd take another in a heartbeat.

[@ostmk496]

Great video guys!!

[@JohnBtons]

Loved this comparison! And good to see the Tourag again!

[@amanster724]

I have a lot to say but I will keep it short. I'll take the Pathfinder any day of the week. You should have used the SEV6 with a sun roof and adjustable suspension and yes the 5SPD is much funner. MPG should be about 18 freeway and with some cool tricks you can get 20+. The LSD rear end - change the LSD fluid and it will work better. Those diff's really don't go bad but is oil temper mental. Still some cool stuff out there for a cheap truck upgrade episode. Remember the best feature about the Pathy is it's fully boxed frame.

[@petermandics1517]

"Period correct" (Wal Mart) tires; priceless.

[@tehboxkat]

Lol. Underrated comment. First thing I heard was Wal-Mart, on the other video.

[@anantdabholkar685]

Now THAT is the BEST looking Pathfinder ever. The newer rounded ones don't come close. I had one of those in red color w/ 5spd manual! Yes the lack of power at high altitude is really bad. I barely made it up to the top of Imogene pass in 4Low on that last climb to the 13,000 ft. summit from the Telluride side, and I was the only one in the truck! BTW, I used to get about 18 mpg combined on regular even with 4 wheeling.

[@jg8263]

Best truth spoken about the touareg: shows you do not need body on frame to off road. You should have cut to the clip of the vw towing the broken ram down the mountain.

[@TheMarius243]

I have one Pathfinder 1995, just like that in the video. And I have more 4 cars, new cars, but - I tell y'all, I really love my Nissan Pathfinder, and it will come with me untill I die!

[@jaypee1313]

I’ve said it before, but yes, more videos with Andre and Tommy!!!

[@lukegarrett6638]

I personally think the R50 pathfinder is the best one, that’s what I own and that thing goes everywhere!

[@5478gotd]

Idea for you guys! If you clip all of the slip test and make them their own short videos you can make a playlist of all the test you have done!

[@azzanal-sinani3413]

thanks, guys I was waiting for the pathfinder video

[@colinthompson7463]

Please do the roller slip test with a 2017 or newer Nissan Armada! As close as we can get to the Patrol!

[@brixelirvincabatingan9382]

More of that Pathfinder please.

[@anthonybarton2103]

Tommy Nailed it again.

[@lunamaria1048]

This was such a great video, guys!

[@iamgermane]

Will the Touareg tow an Airstream like in the commercials??

[@jerrymyahzcat]

Bit sick of people saying something has a “proper 4WD system”. There is no such thing. There are just different 4WD systems. No one system is more proper than any other the only definition of a “proper” one is one that drives 4 wheels (not 2 or 6 etc). Also for the most part you almost never need low range either. You have to be doing fairly crazy off-roading to actually require it’s use/need. The Touareg is great though.

[@buzzpedrotti5401]

Finally a vehicle that looks like it belongs hunting, fishing and camping

[@jerroldshelton9367]

I had an 87 Pathfinder and it was an outstanding quail hunting and fly fishing car.

[@chuckmuellerleile8729]

Great video...love Blaze

[@georgearevalo781]

A Feel Good vid..as always great job guys

[@djmjd]

The key with a clutch type limited slip differential when one tire has very little traction or is in the air is to set the parking brake. The harder you set it the better the clutches engage.

[@Zeekbdos]

The Xe were deffinitly open diffs in the rear, Se mods on 31x10.50 a/t tires were on the locked diff.

[@dirtsailoroff-road5580]

It doesn't appear the LSD works anymore

[@josephhamler129]

ill let u guys put my stock 93 s10 blazer 4x4 up against ur pathfinder! she’s a lil rusty on the outside but she still gets!!

[@carghai9235]

Good work like always

[@siga80]

I have a 1997 Nissan Pathfinder with 250,000 miles and still going strong

[@off-roadingexplained8417]

So the Toureg is like a Cherokee Trailhawk

[@buckshot6481]

I want the Datsun ! You guys keep the Towrag. Love the Datsun 💃🕺

[@antonioelkhoury3361]

We want more of those pathfinders pleaseee🙏🌹🌹.

[@Mr_Eyeholes]

My gen1 Pathfinder has been the best "cheap" car ever. Paid cash for it, beat the hell out of it, engine sounds like hell but it's still going 7 years later. It still amazes me what it can drive through for a completely stock vehicle. It's got more character than a Quentin Tarantino movie and just as much blood in the trunk.

[@konaman23]

maybe on future "budget" build, TFL can try cheaper/lower end A/T tires and give us a review on them

[@Fix_It_Again_Tony]

I don't think I would watch TFL channels if Andre was not a part of them. I think if you adjust the torsion bars on the Pathfinder you might be able to fit 33's. They come with a factory option for 31x10.5" tires so 33's with some light modifying may fit. You might need to "re-index" the bars considering their age. On the stock 15x6 steel wheels I think a 10.5 or 11.5" wide tire might be pushing it. You need to find the factory "lego" wheels, though a set from a more modern Nissan truck (Frontier, Xterra) might be cheaper and easier to find. They come with 16x7" aluminum wheels which should be enough (I have 285-75/16 tires on mine). You'd to research offset and 33" fitment info. Bolt pattern should be the same (6x114.3 mm or 6x4.5"), not sure about the center bore. I want to see more of this Pathfinder off road.

[@R.Nelson]

Just got done work...Nice timing TFL!!😎 Morning!! Yeah!! Square body Nissan!!

[@mehGyver]

Isuzu Troopers also have that hood hinge seal thing.

[@toddpauls4215]

Thanks for yet another good video guys! Great to see the old Pathfinder make it up the hill with no problems. Thanks for the visit with Blaze. It also helps to get my wife watch your videos with me. Yes Tommy the VW is very nice but after having several German vehicles the cost and reliability issues are not missed. The power of the Pathfinder is a bit week so maybe different intake system and exhaust work?? Thanks for the great work!

[@777Timberwolf]

clip 15:50 Nissan Pathfinder, I know this is a view test, but for that Nissan vs snow = use V-track snow chains = anti slip. (look up in KZbin)

[@travisspencer1659]

All the 4x4s should get this Slip Test

[@Joshua_Hammer.777]

I recently bought a 1990 Nissan Pathfinder 3.0 4*4 4door haven't gotten to rough with it but I would love to have 4cylinder with manual transmission over my v6 automatic id prefer to have a trimming chain setup over the belt on 3.0 v6's but it sat about a year so a little at a time I'm going through the drivetrain this winter and have it worthy of building custom bumpers, hitch and lights on roof and fog lights appreciate the video I've had 11 little hardbody d21 2wd trucks from z24i- 96 was the newest one but I been trying to learn all I can about pathfinders for common issues, pros & cons etc.. take care KY ✌️

[@dave1534]

Hey! I have a Berner too!! 😀

[@andys1prayer]

Nissans pathfinder and d21's was nissans best attempt to compete with Toyota and it really shows they are tough rugged and will handle whatever you dish out, just to bad there wasn't a whole lot of aftermarket options for them

[@ColJonSquall1]

I mean, the cover plate isn't really necessary on most vehicles, because of the hinge design. Most have a folding hinge or just a pivot point.

[@zachc1297]

The slip test inserts are obv the choice for those tests. Do the test (no unique video on them) then take the car to an appropriate trail and insert.

[@cristianhc4484]

Very nice Nissan Phatfinder !!!! 😎

[@labf5213]

You should contact Cesar Milan.. it will be a very interesting episode to watch, and your dog is showing signs of anxiety;) Love you all!!

[@badgerpa9]

Dog is not anxious he just wants to run like a healthy dog wants too. They are good to teach him to stay close without a leash so he does not run off to far.

[@Fix_It_Again_Tony]

​@@badgerpa9 I believe he is still young, too. He has some maturing to do yet.

[@badgerpa9]

@@Fix_It_Again_Tony He is young he is still a puppy., just a big one.

[@mardamek]

Hey, Tommy. I can spell and pronounce Touareg and I know that it's named after a tribe in Northern Africa, but for fairness sake I have to admit that I'm not a born American, I'm a naturalized American lol

[@BambuTattoo]

Love both cars

[@breeze787]

I would really like to see a Pathfinder go up against a Suzuki Jimmy! The older the better. Or? A Suzuki Jimmy compared to an Toyota FJ40 80's or 90's and a Pathfinder Awesome review thanks for putting this up!

[@DieselRebel]

New testing system. Using the dog to test cargo space with rear seats up and down. "This Touareg can hold 4x Blaze the Dog" type of thing!