New Nissan Pathfinder to push off-road heritage

The rough and tough roots of the Nissan Pathfinder combined with an updated all-wheel drive system will be used as a point of difference to tempt buyers away from the popular Toyota Kluger and other seven-seat family SUVs when the all-new fifth-generation model goes on sale in Australia in the second half of 2022.

The new Nissan Pathfinder will be one of three new SUVs Nissan launches in Australia in 2022 alongside the redesigned QASHQAI in the first half and the fresh X-TRAIL in the second half of the year. The new Nissan Z coupe also arrives mid-year, making it four new models from the Japanese brand Down Under next year.

Of the three new Nissan SUVs, the Pathfinder is the one with the longest heritage, dating back to the mid-1980s when it was a compact and sturdy off-roader based on a ladder frame and available in different parts of the globe with both petrol and diesel engines.

The new-generation Pathfinder – like the fourth generation launched here in 2014 – is a monocoque design rather than being based on a ladder frame and doesn’t have low-range 4x4 or a diesel engine. Once again its sole engine choice will be a 3.5-litre petrol V6.

The new US-built Pathfinder will also launch here without a petrol-electric hybrid option, which should come later. Intriguingly, an off-road focussed variant is also mooted down the track, although there’s no guarantee that will make it across the Pacific. Diesel is ruled out permanently.

Apart from the top-selling Kluger, which now offers a hybrid option, the Pathfinder will have to contend with light-duty family SUVs such as the Mazda CX-9, the Hyundai Santa Fe and Palisade, and the Kia Sorento.

Nissan will combine the vehicle’s off-road heritage with an updated all-wheel drive system to act as a point of difference in the large family SUV segment, where its predecessor struggled for sales.

Since the fourth-generation Pathfinder departed local Nissan showrooms more strong competition including the Hyundai Palisade have rolled into Australia as well.

New Nissan Oceania managing director Adam Paterson, who launched the previous Pathfinder during his time at Nissan in Canada, told carsales the Pathfinder’s heritage should be exploited.

“The legacy of Pathfinder in North America is one that goes back to the early 1980s as one of the breakthrough SUVs,” said Paterson.

“It’s not as mature here, but I really think we have the ability to bring that customer mindset back to the rugged roots of Pathfinder, which is how it launched in earlier generations.

“Even though we are unibody as opposed to body on frame, we have the capability to be I think a more capable, robust offering versus our direct competition in that segment.”

Key to achieving that will be an all-new intelligent AWD system with seven-position Drive and Terrain Mode Selector.

The AWD 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.

Other new Pathfinder features include a ZF nine-speed automatic transmission to replace the previous model’s CVT, plus upgrades to the 3.5-litre petrol V6.

Paterson also promoted the new-gen’s braked towing capacity, which is 6000lb in North America, or roughly 2700kg for the AWD model. The old Pathfinder V6 offered that number here, while the hybrid was rated at only 1650kg. The Kluger and CX-9 both have a 2000kg braked towing limit. The Palisade is rated to tow 2200kg.

“I’ve driven [the new Pathfinder] overseas, spent about a week in it with the new transmission and tuning that had been made to the 3.5 that’s in it, and the car feel quick if that’s a fair way to say it.

“I think it’s a great powertrain for what people are looking for in that market and what they want here and that’s another option to tow. To me that’s what the V6 allows the product to do.” The new Pathfinder will also come with seating for up to eight for the first time, matching the new Palisade and beating the Kluger by one seat.