Nissan Pathfinder – Introducing the fifth-generation Nissan Pathfinder: A triumphant return to rugged roots for adventure-ready SUV
Nissan’s adventure-ready family SUV, the fifth-generation Pathfinder, has returned to its go-anywhere roots, introducing a bold, fresh design, major engineering upgrades and a host of new safety and convenience features.
“The new Pathfinder is both rugged and refined, capable and comfortable, and distils everything Nissan has learned over the model’s proud 30-year history in Australia into one adventure-ready and family-friendly package,” says Adam Paterson, Managing Director, Nissan Australia.
“More than 77,000 examples of the Pathfinder have been sold in Australia throughout its history, unlocking countless adventures for Australian families. And that’s a legacy this new model proudly continues.”
Designed for adventure
The fifth-generation Pathfinder is all-new, with every inch of the vehicle carefully designed to convey a sense of strength and capability, including its strong front face, wide stance, flared arches and a shorter front overhang (versus the previous design).
While the Pathfinder’s overall length has been reduced, its stance has been widened and its height increased slightly to provide more interior headroom, legroom and hip room.
The clean new design has also slimmed the pillars and delivered a more muscular appearance with flared wheel arches, an integrated rear spoiler, door-mounted side mirrors and a shark-fin aerial.
On the side, strong U-shaped highlights fuse the powerful fender blisters together, providing a tough, muscled look. In the rear, the wide-aspect LED taillights are slimmer than the previous design.
The boxed out boot returns to the boldness of the first Pathfinder, including the oversized PATHFINDER name. Even the new aluminium-alloy wheel designs have a machined, tool-like seriousness to them.
New slim-line lighting clusters front and rear are all-LED, with active matrix pattern control for the headlights, while the three-slat V-motion grille pays design homage to the original Pathfinder.
Two-tone paint for the “floating roof” design is available for the first time on Pathfinder, with new design 18-inch alloys rising in size to 20-inch on the Ti-L.
There are seven colours are available, with four eye-catching two-tone options on Ti and Ti-L models. These include Brilliant Silver, Gun Metallic, Super Black, Scarlet Ember, Ivory Pearl, Glacier White and Deep Ocean Blue Pearl.
For the ultimate in street appeal, the Pathfinder’s two-tone paint options include Ivory Pearl, Scarlett Ember, Boulder Gray and Gun Metallic, all of which are paired with a striking Pearl Black roof.
Potent V6 and all-new nine-speed automatic gearbox
The direct-injection 3.5 litre V6 (202kW @ 6400rpm and 340Nm @ 4800rpm) is now paired with a lighter, nine-speed automatic transmission, replacing the previous Xtronic CVT. Fuel use is 10.0L/100km on the combined cycle in 2WD models, and 10.5L/100km for 4WD models. C02 emissions are 234g/km and 245g/km respectively.**
The new gearbox, which features shift-by-wire technology, delivers more direct response and better performance, whether from a standing start, during overtaking, or in off-road situations.
The all-new transmission also features a wider gear ratio spread to ensure you’re in the right gear at the right time, as well as improving fuel economy and driving comfort. And for more control, the driver can take over shifting via the paddles on the steering wheel.
The rack-mounted electric steering has been further refined for better damping and improved response, with the new dual-pin system also benefiting from the Pathfinder’s reduced weight, aluminium doors, 50 percent increase in high-strength steel and 20mm wider tyre contact patch to deliver better handling, improved cornering efficiency and improved steering response.
The ride quality is further enhanced through updated front and rear suspension, with front-roll stiffness increased by 28 per cent, while the multi-link rear is equipped with improved shock absorbers and dampers. Rear-roll stiffness has increased by 14 percent.
Specific attention has been paid to producing a quiet, refined ride no matter the conditions, with a thicker carpet backing (+250 percent), increased door isolation area (+20 percent) thicker second-row glass, improved door and floor isolation and acoustic laminated glass in the front row all joining improved dash and hood insulators and a new engine cover to deliver a significant improvement in NVH levels, no matter the road surface.
A triumphant return to rugged roots and ample towing
For even more flexibility, the new Pathfinder has a towing-specific program and trailer stability package paired with its impressive 2.7-tonne tow capacity# — perfect for weekend adventures with boats, jet skis, camper trailers and more.
With capability at its core, the Pathfinder’s new 4WD system features direct coupling, which allows torque transfer directly on the clutch pack using oil pressure, allowing for confident, immediate take-off in low-traction situations. Meanwhile, the driver’s Mode selection – Standard, Sport, Eco, Snow, Sand, Mud/Rut and Tow – is displayed as a pop-up notification on the cluster.
The Drive and Terrain Mode Selector changes shift mapping and torque control, altering throttle response, VDC tuning, steering weight and 4WD torque distribution. Pathfinder 2WD models are equipped with Standard, Sport, Eco, Snow and Tow modes.
More cabin space, more great features – and 16 cup holders!
Pathfinder’s long-standing appeal to families, with its seven- or eight-person seating capacity, is further enhanced with this new generation, with careful attention to detail.
The dimensions have grown in every way that matters, now measuring 1978mm (+15mm) in width, 1798mm (+5mm) in height and 5004mm (-38mm) in length, and with a wheelbase that measures 2900mm. The result is more space inside, with headroom improved by 32mm, legroom by 54mm and hip room by 40mm.
Cargo room remains a strong point, with the new Pathfinder delivering 205 litres of usable space with the second and third rows of seating in place, 554 litres with the third row folded flat, and a considerable 782 litres with both the second and the third rows folded flat.
New wide-opening doors (now 85 degrees), a new Rear Door Intelligent Key which allows any door to unlock with just a touch, and the ability to fit three child seats across the second row all contribute to the Pathfinder being one of the most family friendly vehicles available in Australia.
Features such as high-capacity roof-mounted vents provide more airflow through to rear passengers, window shades are integrated into the rear doors on the Ti version, privacy glass is standard on ST-L upwards, and the rear seat climate control switches for the tri-zone air conditioning are now larger and easier to use.
Access to the rear-most row of seats is made even easier through Nissan’s push-button EZ Flex latch-and-glide seating system – even with a child’s seat attached — with the one-touch buttons located on both the driver and passenger side for added convenience.
The innovative EZ Flex system sees the second-row seats conveniently tip forward to provide easy access to the third row for simple loading and unloading.
Both the second and third row of seats recline, are flat-fold and split 60/40 for true interior versatility. In the premium Ti-L grade, the second seating row becomes twin captain’s chairs.
The handy rear underfloor storage box with its self-supporting lid is much larger in size, while there are 16 cup holders in total throughout the vehicle, together with multiple storage spaces, a storage shelf over the glovebox, and a console pass-through.
Technology boost for a safer, more relaxed drive
All Pathfinders are now fitted with a low-distortion 10.8-inch Head-Up Display with double free-form mirror technology which keeps the image stable regardless of driver eye position. The display links to the navigation to provide turn-by-turn direction.
Remote engine start means you never need to enter a too hot or too cold cabin again, while Nissan’s comprehensive suite of Intelligent Mobility active safety features has been upgraded further for the new Pathfinder.
Standard across all grades are Full Nissan Intelligent Mobility safety suite including Predictive Forward Collision Warning with Junction Assist and Emergency Braking (calibrated for pedestrians and cyclists), Driver Attention Alert, Blind Spot Warning and Intervention, Lane Departure Warning and Prevention, Rear Cross Traffic Alert and back-up collision intervention, Intelligent Cruise Control with adjustable speed limiter, Traffic Sign Recognition with overspeed prevention. Tyre pressure monitoring is also fitted to all grades.
Nissan’s semi-autonomous ProPILOT system, fitted to the ST-L grade and upward and controlled via the steering wheel switchgear, links the Intelligent Cruise Control system with steering assist, which maintains vehicle-to-vehicle distance and speed, and keeps the car in the middle of the designated lane. ProPILOT contains the vehicle’s speed to the designated limit unless the driver determines otherwise.
All models now adopt the 7.0″ TFT Advanced Drive-Assist® Display instrument cluster. On the premium Ti-L Pathfinder, this grows to a 12.3”cluster with three display modes.
The Around View Monitor with moving object detection, offered from ST-L upwards, is now delivered in digital high-resolution with a wider field of view and greater clarity in varied conditions such as low light and direct sunlight on the camera.
The rear camera is now mounted inside the glass, where it is cleared by the wiper sweep and always free of dust and road grime. The Intelligent Rear View Mirror, standard on Ti-L models, has a wide-field, high resolution display which is particularly advantageous in low light driving conditions.
Nine cabin airbags protect Pathfinder’s occupants including full sized bags protecting all passenger rows. The latest generation adds a far-side airbag between the two front seat occupants.
Pricing (MSRP)*^:
- ST 2WD $54,190
- ST-L 4WD $61,790
- Ti 2WD $65,910
- Ti 4WD $70,030
- Ti-L 4WD $80,227
* Manufacturer Suggested Retail Prices (MSRP) are provided for media purposes only and do not include premium paint, statutory charges or other on-road costs
^Standard colours are Glacier White and Super Black; $750 extra cost for all other colour options; $1400 extra cost for two-tone paint options
Nissan Pathfinder Model Walk
Pathfinder ST:
- 3.5-litre direct-injection V6 petrol and all-new nine-speed automatic (202kW/340Nm)
- 8-seat capacity
- 2.7-tonne tow capacity with Tow Mode and Trailer Stability program#
- Heated, folding rear mirrors
- Dusk-sensing LED headlights with High Beam Assist and daytime running lights
- Shift-by-wire with steering wheel paddle shifters
- 7.0” TFT Advanced Drive-Assist® Display
- 10.8” Head-Up Display
- 9.0” touchscreen with navigation, inbuilt Android Auto™ and wireless Apple CarPlay®
- Tyre pressure monitoring system
- Electric park brake
- Intelligent key system with inbuilt vehicle alarm system
- 8-way power driver’s seat and 6-way manual passenger’s seat adjust
- Heated front seats
- Tri-zone air conditioning
- DAB+ 6-speaker radio with voice command
- 4 USB charging ports
- Rear camera and parking sensors
- Rear spoiler
- 18” inch alloys
- Rear Seat Alert system
- 9 airbags including new far-side airbag
- Full Nissan Intelligent Mobility safety suite including:
- Predictive Forward Collision Warning with Junction Assist and Emergency Braking (calibrated for pedestrians and cyclists),
- Driver Attention Alert,
- Blind Spot Warning and Intervention,
- Lane Departure Warning and Prevention,
- Rear Cross Traffic Alert and back-up collision intervention,
- Intelligent Cruise Control with adjustable speed limiter,
- Traffic Sign Recognition with overspeed prevention
Pathfinder ST-L adds:
- Digital Around View Monitor with moving object detection
- ProPILOT semi-autonomous driving assistance
- Mud and Sand Terrain modes for 4WD models
- Hill Descent Control (4WD only)
- Leather-accented~ steering wheel
- Front parking sensors
- Privacy glass
- LED front fog lights
- Power tailgate operation
- Roof rails
- Remote-engine start for cabin pre-cooling or heating
Pathfinder Ti adds:
- Auto-dimming rear mirror
- Heated rear seats
- Leather accented~ trim for seats and doors
- Rear window sunshades
- Wireless smartphone charging pad
- 13-speaker Bose audio system
- Additional USB charging outlet for third row of seats
Pathfinder Ti-L adds:
- Second row captain’s chairs (7-seat capacity)
- Metal front kick plates
- Premium dash trim
- Reverse tilt door mirrors with memory function
- Intelligent Rear View Mirror
- Rain-sensing wipers
- Power-adjust steering wheel with memory function
- Driver’s seat memory function
- 4-way power assist passenger’s seat
- Ventilated front seats
- Semi-aniline quilted leather accented~ seat trim
- Wrap-around ambient lighting
- 12.3″ TFT Advanced Drive-Assist® Display instrument cluster
- Tilt-slide front sunroof and panoramic glass roof
- Chrome side mouldings
- 20-inch alloy wheels
~ Leather accented features and upholstery may contain synthetic material.
# Towing capacity is subject to towbar/towball capacity. The capacity may be reduced if a non-genuine Nissan towbar is fitted.
