More substantive changes were made beneath the skin. The 3.5-liter V-6 gets direct injection, a revised air intake, new pistons, a low-friction cylinder coating, variable intake-valve timing, and a higher compression ratio. As a result, output increases from 260 horsepower and 240 lb-ft of torque to 284 and 259. As before, the V-6 is teamed with a continuously variable automatic transmission, a technology that Nissan embraces with greater fervor than any other manufacturer. Maybe it’s a result of all that experience, or maybe a CVT is less annoying when hooked to a torquey V-6, but we found the transmission in the Pathfinder to be largely unobtrusive, with simulated ratio changes that help it do a passable impression of a conventional automatic. The V-6’s engine note is still gritty, however, and road noise is prevalent.