First came the X-Trail, then came the Z Proto. Now, Nissan has given the Pathfinder a modern makeover.
Nissan hasn’t confirmed when the 2022 Nissan Pathfinder will be in Australia.
“We are excited to see the all-new Nissan Pathfinder revealed earlier today,” a spokesperson told CarExpert.
“We look forward to confirming further details of this exciting new SUV, including details of right-hand production for Australia and New Zealand.”
Like the X-Trail, the eight-seat Pathfinder SUV has been comprehensively overhauled for 2022.
Although it has the same 2900mm wheelbase as before, the 2022 Pathfinder is 39mm shorter, 19mm wider, and has a 19mm higher roof than the current model.
Described as “all-new from the ground up”, it has more technology inside and a tougher look on the outside.
Power in the car still comes from a 3.5-litre naturally-aspirated petrol V6 with 212kW of power and 351Nm of torque, but it’s now mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission.
All-wheel drive and front-wheel drive will be offered in the USA. Australian details haven’t been confirmed, but the current car is offered with a choice of front- or all-wheel drive.
Braked towing capacity is a claimed 2720kg.
There’s almost no link between the current Pathfinder and the 2022 model from behind the wheel.
The dashboard is dominated by a 9.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system – goodbye button mania – and a 12.3-inch digital instrument binnacle is available in the USA.
A 10.8-inch colour head-up display is also available. Wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto, wireless phone charging, a Wi-Fi hotspot, satellite navigation, and a surround-view monitor are all present.
The cleaner transmission tunnel has a huge storage space beneath it, and an effort has been made to deliver a more premium feeling with metallic accents and the option of quilted leather seats.
Although an eight-seat interior is standard, a pair of more luxurious captain’s chairs are optional for the middle row, complete with a centre console between them.
Nissan claims the addition of acoustic front glass, thicker second-row windows, more sound deadening, and a quieter engine make the cabin much quieter than before.
Boot space is 470L behind the third row, 1274L behind the second, and 2279L with both rows folded flat. That figure is likely measured to the roof of the car, not the seat backs.
A full suite of active safety features will be offered in the USA, including adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist that combine to take the stress out of highway driving.
High-spec models in North America will even feature the latest ProPilot Assist with Navi-Link, which is a more capable adaptive cruise control system that will slow for corners or junctions based on navigation data.
With 10 airbags, autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, reverse AEB, and auto high-beam, even base models come well equipped.
The current Pathfinder is getting long in the tooth, having debuted in 2013. Its sales fell by 58.8 per cent in 2020, against a wider segment decline of 13.3 per cent.
It’s faced with a tough crop of new or updated rivals in Australia, ranging from the Hyundai Palisade to the recently-updated Mazda CX-9. A new Toyota Kluger is also imminent.
The 2022 Nissan Pathfinder will go on sale in the middle of 2021 for North American buyers.
MORE: Nissan Pathfinder news, reviews, comparisons and videos
