New Nissan Pathfinder range detailed

When the new 2022 Nissan Pathfinder arrives in Australia from around November this year, it will give the Japanese brand a rival for the all-conquering Toyota Prado in the large SUV segment for the first time since September 2021.

Once again built in the US, the fifth-generation Nissan Pathfinder is a big, broad-shouldered three-row SUV that brings eight seats for the first time, as well as a host of new technologies and enhanced safety systems.

This time, however, there’s no petrol-electric hybrid option and a smaller, four-grade model range again spanning 2WD and AWD configurations but no diesel engine.

Pricing has not yet been announced but there will be both seven-seat and eight-seat options – the former including luxury middle-row captain’s chairs.

Unlike many direct competitors like the Kia Sorento and Toyota Kluger – and the model it replaces – the new Pathfinder will offered with just one powertrain: a 3.5-litre petrol V6.

That means potential customers hoping for a fuel-sipping hybrid version (plug-in or plug-less – the Sorento offers both) are going to be disappointed.

“Right now the only powertrain that’s been announced is the V6 that’s in it. That’s currently what’s on offer,” said Nissan Oceania managing director Adam Paterson.

However, it’s understood the Japanese brand is considering implementing its unorthodox e-Power hybrid system that’s set to debut in the new Nissan QASHQAI in Australia later in 2022, and it could even be offered in the Nissan Navara ute in a twin-motor layout.

“What we believe that vehicle will be used for in the Australian market, at launch, is the powertrain that we think the majority of Australians will be looking for,” said Paterson, referring the 202kW/340Nm 3.5-litre petrol V6 that’s been used across a number of Nissan vehicles over the years.

The new Pathfinder’s predecessor employed a similar engine and slurped down fuel at a claimed rate of 10.1L/100km (our testing showed it was much higher). But its CVT automatic has been replaced with a new nine-speed auto and, based on our first drive of the new Nissan Pathfinder in the US, the new model drinks about 10.7L/100km.

“The all-new Pathfinder has been reinvented from the ground up, improving the family friendly formula right across the board,” said Paterson, who added that the new model delivers better off-road capability and towing capacity than most of its rivals.

“We do think it’s the toughest and most rugged of the unibody or monocoque competitors in the market,” he said, adding: “It also has one of the best towing capacities.”

The key powertrain upgrade is a nine-speed automatic transmission, which ensures a competitive 2700kg towing capacity, backed up by a specific towing mode and a trailer stability program.

There will be four model grades in total – ST, ST+, ST-L, Ti – and all-wheel drive models will come with seven drive modes, toggled via a rotary dial near the stubby new-look gear shifter.

Safety systems have been significantly upgraded too, with all models netting nine airbags including curtain bags covering all three seat rows, along with Nissan’s Pro-Pilot semi-autonomous driving suite.

This means every new Pathfinder will come standard with adaptive cruise control, intelligent lane departure warning and prevention, blind spot monitoring and intervention, rear cross traffic alert, autonomous emergency braking, a reversing camera and parking sensors.

All variants, including the entry-level ST, also offer a 9.0-inch central touch-screen with sat-nav, wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto connectivity, plus a new 10.8-inch head-up display and a 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster.

Automatic LED headlights with auto high-beam are part of the package, as is an eight-way powered driver’s seat with lumbar control, three-zone climate control, four USB charge points, EZ Flex latch-and-glide back seats and 18-inch alloy wheels.

Nissan Patrol ST+ variants add more Pro-Pilot functions including lane keep assist and traffic jam pilot, while a surround-view camera system with moving-object detection is also included alongside a powered tailgate, tinted windows, roof rails and LED fog lights.

Step up to the Nissan Pathfinder ST-L and things get a little more luxurious, with extras including leather-accented seat trim, rear seat heating and a 12-speaker  Bose stereo system. A wireless phone charger is also on the equipment list, along with a USB port in the third row and window shades for the middle row.

Top-spec Nissan Pathfinder Ti model grades get everything listed above along with heated and cooled front seats, a bigger 12.3-inch digital driver’s display, digital rear-view mirror, optional captain’s chairs for the middle row, a panoramic glass sunroof, bigger 20-inch alloys and underbody protection.

The new Pathie will also be offered with the option of a two-tone black roof.

Nissan first introduced the Pathfinder in 1987 and the nameplate has strong brand recognition in Australia, but given the competitiveness in the large SUV segment – and the current lack of supply – it could face a tough start.

Pricing will announced closer to the vehicle’s local launch in the fourth quarter of 2022, but for the record the previous Pathfinder was priced between $44,240 and $70,140, plus on-road costs.

To say Nissan Australia is eagerly awaiting the new Pathfinder is an understatement, given the company will have been without a large sub-$70K SUV for more than a year by the time it arrives in showrooms.

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