Nissan Pathfinder 2022: tough new look, more capability and an eight-seat option

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The fifth-generation of the Nissan Pathfinder has been officially unveiled with a suite of modern amenities and enough off-road ability to tackle most weekend adventures.

Nissan will offer the  2022 Pathfinder large SUV with your choice of eight seats, or seven with a pair of ‘captain’s chairs’ in the second row – similar to the Mazda CX-9 Azami LE and Hyundai Palisade.

Update: Chasing Cars understands the Pathfinder will arrive in late 2022 and we’ve written a full breakdown on how much it will cost, and what you will get for your money.

Like its predecessor, the Pathfinder is fitted with a 3.5-litre V6, however the new unit produces slightly more grunt with 212kW of power and 351Nm of torque on offer.

Initial reports suggest that Nissan will drop the 2.5-litre supercharged petrol-electric engine with its 188kW/330Nm outputs, though this is yet to be confirmed.

Nissan has paired the updated V6 engine with an all-new nine-speed automatic transmission that sends power to the front wheels as standard with an 4WD system with seven selectable terrain models optional.

As standard, the Pathfinder can tow around 1,600 kilograms, however, that figure increases to what Nissan claims is a best-in-class 2,700 kilograms in some trims– though it falls short of the new Jeep Grand Cherokee’s claim of 3,300kg.  

However, a dedicated towing mode is included and that rating should be enough to tow a sizable caravan or boat on a weekend away. 

Nissan has taken a radical departure from the design of the previous generation Pathfinder debuting a cleaner and more contemporary design with attractive C-shaped  LED headlights as standard.

At the rear, wide LED taillights have been fitted – echoing design changes to the incoming Jeep Grand Cherokee rival – along with spaced-out lettering to emphasise the car’s width. 

Dimensionally the Pathfinder has shrunk slightly in length from 5,042mm to 5003mm, though the 2,900mm wheelbase is identical.

Inside, Nissan says they have made an effort to use materials that are both refined and robust with a selection of woven cloth, leather or quilted semi-aniline leather appointments offered in a range of colours 

Nissan will offer the Pathfinder in the United States with a choice of four grades known as S, SV, SL and Platinum, with the exact specification of Australian model to be announced soon.

Buyers can option a 10-way power-adjustable seat for the driver, three-zone climate control along with heating and cooled front seats and heated second-row rear seats.

Nissan has also brought the Pathfinder’s technology up to scratch, with a nine-inch display sitting in the centre boasting wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto. An optional 12.3-inch digital display also sits in front of the driver, as does a 10.8-inch heads-up display to help keep your eyes on the road. 

Wireless charging is also available as is a 13-speaker Bose Premium sound system and wifi with the ability to create a hotspot in the car, which should be handy on long road trips.

Official figures for the boot size aren’t yet available but Nissan claims the Pathfinder can carry four golf bags or fit a 1.2m X 2.4m sheet of  wood with all three rows up.

Nissan has fitted thicker rear glass in the second row along with more insulation in the doors and floor than the previous generation to make the large-SUV much quieter on the road.

Adaptive cruise control has been added for the fifth generation, however along with an inbuilt navigation system these goodies are restricted to the higher SV and SL grades.

Nissan also offers two additional packages, known as the SV Premium and SL Premium, suggesting some features can be added to lower grades however the details are not yet clear.

Nissan has made a point not the skimp out on safety this generation with the manufacturer fitting their Nissan Safety Shield system as standard.

The package includes AEB front with pedestrian detection, rear AEB, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, rear cross-traffic alert, high beam assist along with 10 airbags dotted around the cabin.

Higher trims also offer additional safety with blind spot intervention, lane-keep assist and traffic sign recognition for added peace of mind.

The Nissan Pathfinder will go on sale in North America sometime between June and the end of August in 2021. Local specification and an exact arrival date will be announced soon.