NISSAN has debuted its all-new Pathfinder giant SUV and promised the large household hauler has “returned to its rugged roots” with a myriad of adjustments to the drivetrain, styling, inside packaging, underpinnings and know-how, even when its 3.5-litre V6 coronary heart has been carried over from the earlier era.
Mentioned to have been reinvented from the bottom up, the brand new Pathfinder sheds its predecessor’s rounded physique form in favour of a squarer, extra Patrol-esque theme that includes a largely comparable entrance fascia association with the inverted trapezium grille being skirted on three sides by a chrome trim piece.
Both facet of the grille are a slim, low-set set of LED headlights, crested by a pair of flicked daytime operating lights whereas under there’s truly little or no of something, lending the Pathfinder an nearly chubby set of cheeks.
The decrease half of the fascia in the meantime consists primarily of rugged wanting cladding (black) and a contrasting silver plastic skidplate.
Included throughout the cladding – on the outer edges at the very least – are a small set of foglights.
From the facet the Pathfinder follows many of the traits set by the opposite huge seven- or eight-seater crossovers in having an extended wheelbase, brief entrance overhang and an extended rear overhang.
The primary options of word by way of physique particulars embrace the black wheelarch cladding, chrome facet skirt insert and the ahead leaning C-pillar.
A personality line can be traced from the again of the headlight cluster, alongside the highest of the entrance wings to under the wing mirrors earlier than being continued from midway alongside the rear door to the tail-light clusters.
On the rear we discover a fully new tailgate design persevering with the entrance finish’s sq. theme with an abundance of white area.
Slim tail-lights are bridged beneath the rear window by a black trim piece with that association then underlined by daring ‘PATHFINDER’ badging.
A refined contour line gives the one different element earlier than we get to the contrasting silver bumper which appears to have been designed as a combination between a rear skidplate and a diffuser.
As alluded to earlier, the brand new Pathfinder is offered (Stateside at the very least) in each seven- and eight-seat guise with the seven-seater utilising the fashionable captain’s chair format for the second row whereas the third row makes use of a three-seat bench.
The cabin itself is alleged to observe an “open” and “strong” design with buttons aplenty on the centre fascia beneath the 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system whereas the centre console is essentially reserved for the gear-lever, cupholders and terrain mode selector.
Whereas the native pricing and specification particulars are but to be revealed, the Pathfinder shall be provided within the US in 4 totally different trim ranges – S, SV, SL and Platinum – with commonplace tools highlights throughout the vary together with the NissanConnect infotainment system (Apple CarPlay/Android Auto) and the Nissan Security Defend 360 security suite (automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, excessive beam help and rear automated braking, clever ahead collision warning, clever driver alertness and rear door alert).
Below the bonnet of all variations is an up to date model of the present mannequin’s 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine which has been tuned to provide 212kW of energy and 350Nm of torque (+10kW/10Nm).
In contrast to the present mannequin nevertheless which utilised a constantly variable transmission (CVT), the brand new Pathfinder sends its energy to the bottom through a nine-speed automated unit with the choice of both front- or all-wheel-drive set to be retained.
No gasoline economic system or efficiency figures for the brand new mannequin have been launched but nevertheless for reference, the present mannequin consumes 9.9 litres of gasoline per 100km in front-wheel-drive guise (10.1L/100km for AWDs).
To assist make the “4WD” (all-wheel-drive) variations as succesful as potential each on the black-top and off it, Nissan has fitted the brand new Pathfinder with a seven-mode ‘Drive and Terrain Mode Selector’ with the 4WD system capable of be locked collectively when wanted.
The seven modes consist of ordinary, sport, eco, snow, sand, mud/rut and tow, with the latter possibility being related given the brand new mannequin’s new 6000lb (2722kg) braked towing capability, among the best within the present giant SUV phase – not together with real off-roaders just like the Toyota Prado or ute-based choices just like the Ford Everest.
Based on Nissan North America vice-president of product and companies planning Jared Haslam, the brand new Pathfinder has “returned to its rugged roots” 35 years on from the launch of the unique and is “loaded with the advantage of all the pieces realized alongside the best way”.
“As we speak’s giant SUV house owners desire a car that conveys power and rugged functionality, whereas utilizing superior security and know-how options to maintain their household secure and comfy throughout every-day adventures, and the all-new 2022 Pathfinder is able to tackle these journey,” he mentioned.
On account of go on sale in North American in the course of this yr, Nissan Australia was unable to substantiate the native timing of the brand new Pathfinder, telling GoAuto it was wanting “ahead to confirming additional particulars of this thrilling new SUV, together with particulars of right-hand manufacturing for Australia and New Zealand”.
Nissan bought solely 1118 examples of the present mannequin in 2020, occupying a slim 1.2 per cent of the crowded and various sub-$70,000 giant SUV phase.
Issues don’t look be getting any higher in 2021 with simply 59 models shifted in January, making up simply 0.8 per cent of the full phase gross sales.
