New Nissan Pathfinder takes high-tech trail

The next-generation Nissan Pathfinder will be defined by advanced safety features, autonomous driving tech, a luxury interior, striking new exterior and possibly an all-new hybrid system when it breaks cover in a matter of weeks.

The American-built seven-seat large SUV is not expected to launch in Australia until early 2022, when it will take the fight up to the Toyota Kluger which also enters a new generation soon and will launch in Australia in the first half of 2021.

Delivering meaningful improvements across the board, Nissan’s crucial Kluger-killer has been previewed here via new renders informed by recent spy photos and published by Russian auto website Kolesu.ru.

The unofficial design shows how the new-generation Nissan Pathfinder could be shaped, showing a modern take on the much-loved model that incorporates the bold styling cues of the flagship Nissan Patrol.

The twin-element headlights are a clear nod to the Patrol, as is the redesigned grille. Artist Nikita Chuiko has also crafted an upmarket rear-end design with sleeker, with slimmer tail-lights.

Nissan also revealed an official teaser of the new Pathfinder back in May, during the Nissan NEXT business plan announcement, which outlined which models would be rolled out by 2023.

It’s understood the new ‘Pathie’ was to be revealed at the 2020 Los Angeles motor show in late November, however that event has been postponed by six months, until late May 2021.

Sources suggest Nissan will instead unveil the new Pathfinder this year as part of a live-streamed event, with sales to commence first in the US from next year.

The Pathfinder’s new look will be accompanied by an upgraded interior with a carryover seven-seat layout and an advanced touch-screen infotainment system supported by the latest connectivity options.

As seen on the smaller Nissan X-TRAIL, other high-tech features include a digital instrument cluster and wireless phone charging, while a raft of new and upgraded ProPILOT autonomous driver-assist systems are also anticipated.

Expect a more premium fit and finish to the cabin, with top-spec models including tri-zone climate control, premium leather seats with cooling and heating, a motion-activated power tailgate and improved/modular storage areas throughout the vehicle, including the cargo area.

It’s not yet clear what powertrains will be offered but the current model’s 3.5-litre V6 (202kW/340Nm) is almost certain to be replaced with a smaller (and probably turbocharged) petrol engine demanded by its key market, the US.

The Nissan Pathfinder has been a mainstay of the Nissan SUV fleet since 1985 and is currently offered with a petrol-electric hybrid powertrain, something the brand is keen to continue.

However, Nissan may change tack slightly and offer a similar non-plug-in ePower petrol-electric hybrid powertrain set for the new Nissan X-TRAIL mid-size SUV.

This application works more like a range-extending EV, with electric motors propelling the vehicle and a small petrol engine working solely to recharge the battery system, with no connection to the driving wheels.

The current Nissan Pathfinder is offered with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol-electric powertrain (188kW/330Nm), in addition to the 3.5-litre V6. Both 2WD and AWD drivelines are available, with pricing between $44,240 and $70,140 (plus on-road costs).

The Pathfinder’s rivals have left it behind in the tech stakes, with the likes of the Kia Sorento, Mazda CX-9 and Hyundai Santa Fe seven-seat SUVs offering more modern features.

This is reflected in the 55 per cent sales decline for the Pathfinder this year.