I personally do not agree with this. I think it depends on what exactly are you comparing. I was looking to buy the JX with the premium package only and did not care too much about the nanny features or theatre package on it. I was at the last stage of finalizing the deal when I came to know of the new pathfinder and decided to for the pathfinder to come out. I test drove the JX with premium package and then test drove the pathfinder platinum with premium package. On the pathfinder I was only interested in the platinum version without the premium package but Nissan initially is putting in the premium package on platinum that are showing up at dealerships.
After negotiating for both and considering the pros and cons it was a no-brainer for me. I bought the fully loaded pathfinder. I was able to get it for $40,500 v/s $45,500 that I was quoted for JX with premium package. The JX was not worth the extra 5K to me just for the Infiniti name and status. Price was not the main issue here (I could have written a check for JX with premium if I wanted to) but I was getting more value for my money with the Pathfinder. Personally looks wise I actually prefer the Pathfinder from the front and JX from the back. Do not get me wrong, the JX is a good vehicle. If the pathfinder was not there or I wanted the nanny features I would be a JX owner today. There is no other vehicle that compares to JX in those regards.
At the end of the day compare what you want in your vehicle, actually test-drive both and then decide which one makes most sense for you.
Stop making sense...
The Premium Mallfinder we ordered the day "open season" for orders stated in October will be here next week. Back then, we didn't even know what the price would be, I just worked out a deal with them that it would be $500 over dealer cost, whatever that turned out to be. The JX/premium/assist/rails/tow/flaps/bumper was going to be $1,000 over invoice. The net difference in the cars the way I wanted them was $11,000. The only thing I will really miss will be the blind spot, but I was actually worried that my wife would use that instead of turning her head and using mirrors, the primary way to do that function. The cost difference was not an issue, my bicycle is worth almost that much.
On the insides, plast trim pieces are plastic trim pieces, not much you can do with that. Vinyl wood grain is vinyl wood grain, no difference between the JX and PF there, either, unless you like the color of artist's rendition better in one vs the other. I admit, the JX's seat leather is softer, like a nice driving glove. Does the make it better? I dunno. I guess if I drove nude it might make me happier than a hand swipe on the showroom floor. When we got our Volvo XC70 Cross Country wagon, it's leather wasn't as smooth and soft as their sedans, even though it cost more. It was more a functionality thing I believe. Yeah, I do drive it with wet ski pants, dirty bike shorts, etc. And it cleans up nicely. Maybe the same thing is going on with the PF's leather that isn't as smooth?
True story, just yesterday, I had my Blizzaks mounted on the Murano wheels I got for the PF. The tire tech has mounted my tires for years, I only let him touch them, so we know each other well. When he saw the wheels, he was noticeably puzzled. He said he always thought of me as a Volvo kind of guy, as if that was some kind of cool (to a tire guy). For me? Meh, the XC is just a very off-road capable of road wagon. I try not to define myself to the world by what I drive. I'll just write the check for the PF and quietly be on my way.
But don't get me wrong, I like the JX, it's a great car, we had one on order. The PF is just a little more functional for our needs. It's a good thing there are so many choices out there.
