New 2022 Nissan Pathfinder prices rise further at launch

The new 2022 Nissan Pathfinder officially launches in Australia today after a prolonged absence with the changeover to the fifth-generation model, which has been hit by unexpected prices rises across most of the range.

Arriving five months after local pricing and specifications were detailed, the new-gen Nissan Pathfinder maintains the entry point announced in July with the ST 2WD starting at $54,190 plus on-road costs – up $9950 over the previous series.

However, all other new models are now positioned higher than the pricing set mid-year. 

The ST-L 4WD now kicks off at $61,790 plus ORCs (+$1800), the Ti 2WD $65,910 (+$1920), Ti 4WD $70,030 (+$2040) and the top-spec Ti-L 4WD from $80,227 (+$2337).

These price rises are in addition to the higher starting points over the previous generation, which is offset by improvements in standard equipment.

Speaking at the Pathfinder’s national media launch in Trawool, Victoria, Nissan Australia executives confirmed their commitment to the large SUV segment in which it says Pathfinder “still does have a very strong name and heritage”.

“More than 77,000 examples of the Pathfinder have been sold in Australia throughout its history, unlocking countless adventures for Australian families,” said Nissan Australia managing director Adam Paterson.

“And that’s a legacy this new model proudly continues.”

However, with the fifth generation of the big American-built SUV, Nissan is aiming to capture what the company refers to as the “cool dad”, which means delivering “a car to drive the kids around but that looks like a car they [dads] want to be in”. 

As such, the soft lines of the previous Pathfinder have been abandoned in favour of a more defined, boxy exterior.

Aiming to reassert itself in one of the biggest-selling segments in Australia, Nissan’s new Pathfinder will take aim at similar monocoque-chassis three-row large SUVs such as the Toyota Kluger, Mazda CX-9 and Kia Sorento rather than the market-leading Toyota Prado.

Not for ‘serious off-roading’

The new Nissan Pathfinder is only available with a carryover 3.5-litre petrol V6 (202kW/340Nm), paired with a new nine-speed automatic transmission.

Nissan has ruled out the option of a hybrid powertrain – as seen with the previous generation – as well as a diesel engine.

Executives confirmed at the local launch that the petrol V6 is the only powertrain available globally for the Pathfinder, which has been on sale in the US since late 2020.

They also said that sales in Australia were simply not high enough to warrant investment in alternative drivetrains, such as the e-POWER hybrid system on offer in the new Nissan QASHQAI and Nissan X-TRAIL.

Nissan Australia’s senior manager in charge of Pathfinder (as well as X-TRAIL and EVs), Martin Longayroux, told carsales: “The [Pathfinder’s] rugged capabilities bring appeal for those that don’t do serious off-roading.”

This is evidenced by the lack of a full-size spare wheel on the big Pathie.

Longayroux added that the Pathfinder is not for “serious off-roaders” but rather “those that want a little bit more [capability]” – potentially poaching sales from the would-be diesel buyers and further referencing the Toyota Prado and Ford Everest as potential benchmarks.

Nissan Australia’s director of corporate communications, Karla Leach, added: “The perceived value in fuel savings between petrol and diesel has closed significantly in the last few years.

“In some ways diesel doesn’t have the cost savings that people perceive it to have.

“The other thing is that … Nissan has declared they’re not going to continue developing diesel powertrains, so you’ll probably only start seeing petrol powertrains being introduced in this and in many segments anyway.”

When quizzed on the potential for a harder-core Nissan Pathfinder Warrior model Down Under, following the locally-developed Navara Warrior ute and the incoming Patrol Warrior flagship SUV, Longayroux said the company was “always looking at opportunities” and that it had been a topic of discussion.

Stay tuned on that one, and in the meantime read our local launch review of the new Nissan Pathfinder here.

How much does the 2022 Nissan Pathfinder cost?
ST 2WD – $54,190
ST-L 4WD – $61,790
Ti 2WD – $65,910
Ti 4WD – $70,030
Ti-L 4WD – $80,227
* Prices exclude on-road costs

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