Eight seats for new Nissan Pathfinder

The new Nissan Pathfinder will for the first time come with eight seats as standard and the option of second-row captain’s chairs when it arrives in Australia next year.

Exactly when the all-new large SUV lands Down Under remains unknown, but it will be one of four all-new Nissan models to be released locally in 2022.

The new Pathfinder was originally due to arrive here in early 2022, but Nissan Australia says that’s slipped to “later in 2022” and has provided no further guidance on its ETA – let alone pricing – in today’s teaser release.

For now, the next-gen Pathie has been confirmed to match the Hyundai Palisade by offering eight seats – something the top-selling Toyota Kluger, nor even the new Toyota LandCruiser, can do in Australia.

It will also match the Mazda CX-9 with the option of second-row captain’s chairs – something rivals like the Kluger, Hyundai Santa Fe, Kia Sorento and new Jeep Grand Cherokee don’t do either.

While the Pathfinder’s first two-seat middle-row option includes a centre console that can be removed without tools, the standard model’s second-row EZ FLEX one-touch seating can now be operated from both the driver and passenger side, and the third row will feature a 60/40 split-folding function.

Nissan Australia today also confirmed key powertrain details of the new Pathfinder, including the exclusive fitment of a carryover 3.5-litre petrol V6 matched to an all-new nine-speed automatic transmission and an all-new Intelligent 4WD system with seven-position Drive and Terrain Mode Selector.

The 4WD system features direct coupling, transferring torque directly to the clutch pack using oil pressure, which Nissan says allows “confident, immediate take-off in low-traction situations”, while drive modes will include Standard, Sport, Eco, Snow, Sand, Mud/Rut and Tow.

Expected to again be available in front- and all-wheel drive configurations, the V6 is expected to bring slightly higher outputs of around 210kW/350Nm, but there will be no hybrid option for the new Pathie from launch – and no diesel option, period.

Expect a towing capacity of around 2700kg.

In terms of multimedia, Nissan Australia today confirmed the new Pathie will bring an all-new infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity and wireless smartphone charging.

It said a 13-speaker Bose Premium Audio system and a digital Intelligent Around View Monitor with higher resolution and a wider image viewing angle than the previous analogue model will be available.

But tech advances seen in the US model are also likely to be offered at least in premium variants, including a 9.0-inch infotainment touch-screen, 10.8-inch digital head-up display and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster.

Like the new Nissan QASHQAI and X-TRAIL also due in 2022, the 2022 Nissan Pathfinder is all-new (except for the engine) and sports a fresh exterior design with three-slot V-motion grille, C-shaped LED headlights, a ‘floating’ roofline and slimmer LED tail-lights.

Design cues like U-shape side profile graphics, a ‘boxed-out’ tailgate with oversized satin-chrome PATHFINDER logo and machined alloy wheels aim to recall the popular original Pathfinder.

A total of 11 paint colour combinations will be offered, including four new two-tone treatments that extend to the C-pillar. Among them is Scarlet Ember with Super Black Metallic, which is similar to the red colour of the original Pathie.

Stand by for more details of the new Nissan Pathfinder as we approach its Aussie release next year.