Nissan has once again surprised us with an amazing redesign on the fifth-generation Nissan Pathfinder. It is a three-row crossover SUV that can seat up to eight passengers. When the Nissan Pathfinder was last redesigned, in 2013, it was in the top third of the three-row crossover segment, with a respectable 6.5 percent share.
However, as of now, the share of the Japanese crossover has decreased in the global market to 2.9 percent according to the latest analysis by AutoForecast Solutions.
Historically, the crossover has competed with vehicles ranging from the Mazda CX-9 and Chevy Traverse to the Subaru Ascent and Kia Telluride.
Here are the features of the new crossover:
Exterior
According to The Car Connection blog, new model retains that high vertical face with short overhangs and those three slots bridge a flat hood with a broad face. Nissan’s U-shaped grille flares out to thin daytime running lights like wispy eyebrows over the standard LED headlights.
Image Source: The Car Connection
That visual light line runs down the body, over rounded wheel arches flexed with black cladding to the rear. The Pathfinder rides on 18-inch or available 20-inch wheels.
“Pathfinder owners returning to the market would likely encounter a vehicle much different than the one they are trading in, “Jominy Tyson, vice president of data and analytics at J.D. Power said. “But now, Pathfinder is locked onto what consumers are looking for, and the new generation retains the setup of its predecessor.”
According to Ken Lee, senior design director at Nissan’s Global Design Center in Atsugi, Japan, car customers want a bolder, more “tough-looking design”, he added, “When we considered a new Pathfinder, the first thing we wanted to do was to enhance the proportions — making it bold, strong, and also have simplicity,” Lee said. “So we strengthened the silhouette.”
Interior
According to the car blog, Nissan hasn’t yet disclosed the specific gear combinations. However, what we know is that the cockpit is anchored by a large, truck-like center stack crowned by an 8.0-inch or available 9.0-inch touchscreen that rules over a band of horizontal vents and a climate control bar.
The steering wheel has a flat bottom, like many modern sporty vehicles, and the deep armrest console has a two-tiered console storage shelf which indicates changes beyond the cabin.
Image Source: Motortrend
According to Motortrend’s blog from March, cloth seating surfaces will be standard, while higher-end models get leather upholstery with available quilted stitching.
Every trim level(S, SV, SL, and Platinum) is equipped with three-zone automatic climate control. Heated and ventilated front seats, as well as heated rear seats, are included on higher trims.
Image Source: Nissan USA
Engine
According to motortrend blog, the 2022 Pathfinder is powered by the same 3.5-liter V-6 as in the outgoing model, producing an identical 284 hp and 259 lb-ft of torque.
However, instead of the previous CVT automatic, the redesigned Pathfinder gets a new nine-speed transmission. FWD is standard, while a new AWD system is available and is said to offer improved control in low-traction conditions.
We expect 0-60 mph acceleration to be in the same range as the 7.4-second time we previously recorded from an AWD Pathfinder.
The fuel economy will likely be similar or very slightly higher than the 20/27 mpg city/highway figures achieved by the 2020 Pathfinder in FWD and AWD form.
The Pathfinder can be equipped to tow up to 6,000 pounds, which is at the top of the category, a full 1,000 pounds above the maximum rating for competitors like the Kia Telluride and Honda Pilot, and 400-700 pounds more than the Ford Explorer.
Safety Features
In addition to 10 airbags, every 2022 Pathfinder is standard equipped with the Nissan Safety Shield 360 suite of driver-assist and active-safety features.
These include front and rear automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot monitoring (information can be found on this here), lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams.
Nissan’s rear door alert is also included. The Pathfinder 2022, SV, SL, and Platinum trims add ProPilot assist, Nissan’s name for its adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist combination that takes work out of highway driving.