Nissan's seven-seat Pathfinder 4x4 is set to take on the 'Discovery sector' of the 4x4 market by storm when it goes on sale at the end of March.

Priced from £24,000, the Pathfinder was engineered in Cranfield, Bedfordshire and will be built at Nissan's NMISA factory in Spain.

Nissan says the Pathfinder is a seven-model range aimed squarely at the active, get-up-and-go family, and becomes the sixth offering in Nissan's expanding 4x4 portfolio.

Its rugged styling -- derived from the 2003 Dunehawk show car -- is both practical and good-looking. So Pathfinder will be a superb tool for adventurous families keen on outdoor hobbies.

It features a robust body-on-frame design with the latest version of Nissan's electronic four-wheel drive technology, a system that is as easy to use as it is sophisticated. As well as incorporating ESP and traction control, the new system in Pathfinder has added dexterity thanks to a low-ratio mode for added grip and manoeuvrability in mud or snow.

Despite its authentic SUV credentials, Pathfinder is not a huge off-roader. At 4.74m long, it is shorter than a typical seven-seat MPV (Chrysler Voyager, 4.8m) and is shorter even than a family estate such as the 4.82m long Vauxhall Vectra. And at 1763mm in height, it's shorter than a Land Rover Discovery (1832mm).

Though the entry-level S version has five seats, most Pathfinders will be sold with seven seats in three forward-facing rows.

In the Pathfinder, getting to the rear seats is a simple matter of folding and flipping the middle row forwards -- a one-handed, single action -- to create ample space in which to access the rear. The same goes for exiting. In addition, the rear side doors open to an unusually wide angle of 85 degrees.

Both middle and rear seats fold completely to provide a flat load area and, again, practicality is the key -- it takes just one action to fold the third row of seats to increase luggage space.

Folding the third row of seats can also be undertaken from outside the vehicle. Each seat has a simple release handle which when pulled allows the backrest to be folded forwards onto the seat squab. The front passenger seat also folds, giving a 2.8m long uninterrupted load area.

Alloy wheels, climate control, CD audio and a full set of airbags -- front, side and curtain -- are standard on all versions. Move up the range and you can add privacy glass, Bluetooth phone compatibility, trip computer, leather upholstery, electric front seats, rear heating controls, Intelligent Key, xenon headlamps, DVD satellite navigation and a colour rear view parking camera.