By Nadine Armstrong, carsales.com.au
Forging your own path through the forest of family SUVs is not an easy task. Big soft roaders have become the default choice for large Australian families, and almost every car maker has staked their own plot.
Nissan’s Pathfinder was an early pioneer of the class, first introduced to Australia in 1986 as a lifestyle off-road wagon based on the Nissan Navara ute.
As SUVs became more popular, the previous model was the first to shift away from its agricultural underpinnings to become more car-like and was the first in its class to offer a hybrid powertrain.
Now, Nissan has introduced the fifth-generation Pathfinder that focuses even sharper on family transport with improved safety and technology, the choice of seven or eight-seat layouts and sophisticated refinements to the mechanical package to challenge the likes of the Toyota Prado and Kluger as well as the Kia Sorento as Australia’s favourite large SUV.
So, how does it fare? Let’s find out…
Succession ladder
Nearly 10 years in the making and now including a host of new features, it was inevitable the fifth generation Pathfinder was going to cost more than its predecessor. But a $10,000-plus price hike draws a critical eye.
Available in five model grades, the range kicks off with the entry-level ST 2WD at $54,190 (plus ORCs), and rises incrementally through the ST-L AWD ($61,790 plus ORCs) and Ti 2WD ($65,190) and Ti AWD ($70,030) to the flagship Ti-L AWD that tops out at $80,277 plus ORCs).
It’s near the pinnacle of the range, in Ti specification, where Nissan expects the bulk of sales will rest, as it’s an eight-seater and the only Pathfinder that gives buyers the option of two- or all-wheel drive motion.
It’s worth noting that the new Pathfinder large SUV launches simultaneously with the one-size-smaller new-generation Nissan X-TRAIL, where you’ll find overlap with both price and packaging.
New toys
The 2022 Nissan Pathfinder launches with new features across each variant, which naturally improves in number as you climb the ranks.
Entry-level equipment levels are good, with the model grades largely differentiated by nice-to-haves as opposed to must-haves which gives buyers the option to up-spec rather than seeing a move up the line as a necessity.
The most affordable Nissan Pathfinder ST leads with eight-seat capacity, heated and folding side mirrors, dusk-sensing LED headlights with high beam assist and daytime running lights, and shift-by-wire steering with paddle shifters.
A 9.0-inch central touch-screen controls AM/FM/digital radio with six-speaker sound, satellite navigation and smartphone mirroring – wireless for Apple CarPlay and plug-in for Android Auto.
A 7.0-inch digital instrumentation cluster and 10.8-inch head-up display are also standard.
And that’s just for starters. Other headline standard features include tyre pressure monitoring, an electric park brake, intelligent keyless entry and push-button start, cloth seats and interior trim, heated front seats, 10-way electric-adjust driver’s seat and six-way manual adjust for the front passenger seat.
There’s also tri-zone climate control, a reversing camera with rear sensors, four USB charge points, two 12-volt outlets, tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment, a rear spoiler, shark fin antenna, chrome window surrounds, body colour door handles and 18-inch dark-painted alloy wheels.
The ST-L adds a very handy 360-degree camera with moving object detection as well as Nissan’s ProPILOT semi-autonomous driving assistance.
Because it is exclusively offered with all-wheel drive, it’s here you also get Mud and Sand Terrain mode and hill descent control, as well as leather accent steering wheel, front parking sensors, privacy glass, LED front fog lights, power tailgate, roof rails and remote engine start.
The Ti specification adds an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, heated rear outboard seats, leather accent trim on doors and seats, wireless smartphone charging, 13-speaker Bose audio system and an additional USB outlet in the third row. It rolls on 18-inch machine-finished alloys.
The top-spec Ti-L is a seven-seater only but adds luxurious captains’ chairs in the second row, metal front kick plates, premium dash trim, auto-dip side mirrors with memory function, intelligent rear-view mirror, rain-sensing wipers, power-adjust steering wheel with memory function, driver’s seat with memory function, four-way electric-adjust front passenger seat, quilted leather accent seat trim and ventilation for the front seats too.
Need more? Ambient interior lighting is also found here, along with a larger 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, tilt and slide panoramic sunroof, chrome side mouldings and 20-inch alloy wheels.
All Pathfinder models are backed by Nissan’s five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty with five years’ roadside assistance.
Practical and comfortable
During the Australia press preview, we were given the keys to the eight-seat Ti and seven-seat Ti-L which is where the majority of interest currently sits with the new 2022 Nissan Pathfinder, with the bulk of future sales expected to settle on the AWD Ti variant.
In keeping with the Pathfinder’s more refined exterior, the inside follows suit.
There’s a level of sophistication which eluded the Pathfinder of old – and this newfound style combines with family-friendly practicality for a very appealing package.
Comfort levels are excellent, ergonomics good and amenity is fit for purpose.
With 16 drink holders, multiple spaces for oddment storage, six USB charge points, two 12-volt outlets and a multitude of directional air vents for all occupants including newly positioned roof-mounted vents for improved airflow to the second and third row occupants it appears that Nissan understand the wants and needs of modern family transport.
Leather seats and trim throughout are complemented by piano black gloss surfaces and chrome-look details.
All in all, the Pathfinder has the right ingredients, it’s well finished and feels like a premium product.
On more practical matters, wider-opening rear doors (now 85 degrees) enhance Nissan’s EZ Flex system that allows for seamless access to the third row of seating.
With the press of a button the second-row seat folds and glides forward with the kind of pace that will make a languishing parent rejoice. The second-row seats will also perform this function with a child seat in position.
The second row provides three top tether and two ISOFIX positions on the outboard seats for baby capsules and child seats while the third row adds three more top tether points and an additional ISOFIX. And if you have that many toddlers on board, may the force be with you.
On top of that, the boot space is generous and flexible thanks to 60/40-split flat-folding seats across both the second and third rows.
Even with the third row of seats in play, a large pram and bags can be accommodated in the boot space.
At its full potential, the Pathfinder can handle 782 litres of cargo. That drops to 554/205L with the second and third rows engaged.
The Ti-L sacrifices a second-row seating position in exchange for luxurious captain’s chairs like the ones we’ve seen in the Mazda CX-9 – a nice-to-have if your circumstances permit.
With an emphasis on comfort and storage – there’s a removable centre console storage box – this variant is the luxury long hauler that kids will love and will get the nod of approval from the occasional (but not too often) carpool with the in-laws.
Five stars
The new 2022 Nissan Pathfinder received a maximum five-star safety rating from the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) to coincide with its official launch Down Under.
The Pathfinder’s standard safety suite includes forward collision warning with junction assist and emergency braking, driver attention alert, blind spot warning and intervention, lane departure warning and lane keep assist, rear cross traffic alert and back-up collision intervention, adaptive cruise control with adjustable speed limiter and traffic sign recognition with speed limiter.
A total of nine airbags, including a new front-side airbag (between the front seat occupants), protect all three rows of occupants.
It’s only in the entry-level ST that you miss out on Nissan’s ProPILOT semi-autonomous driving assistant that uses adaptive cruise control and lane keep technology to maintain vehicle speed and position on the road.
Simple pleasures
A decade in the making, the 2022 Nissan Pathfinder is loaded with fresh technology that helps it gain ground on key rivals including the Toyota Kluger, Mazda CX-9 and Hyundai Palisade.
But the execution, albeit practical, still feels a little behind the times.
The main 9.0-inch infotainment screen sets the scene for this refreshed, upmarket cabin, while the large 10.8-inch head-up display offers all the important stats like speed and satellite navigation prompts, front and centre in the driver’s line of sight.
It doesn’t exude the modern gadgetry that we see in Hyundai or Kia, but the user interface is intuitive and easy to master.
The simplicity of the Pathfinder’s technology will please the masses, and phone mirroring ticks an important box. But there’s no tech-savvy titillation to speak of.
Big hitting six
The 2022 Nissan Pathfinder range is powered exclusively by a carryover 3.5-litre direct-injection V6 petrol engine with outputs that remain unchanged, delivering a maximum 202kW at 6400rpm and 340Nm at 4800rpm.
Gone is the CVT automatic of old, however, and the engine is now paired to a nine-speed automatic transmission. Initial drive impressions suggest it’s a much better fit for this big SUV, delivering better response both from standstill and on the go.
Buyers chasing the grunt of a turbo diesel, the previous hybrid powertrain or the benefits of Nissan’s e-POWER which uses electric motors but features a small petrol engine to act as an on-board generator to recharge the battery pack need look elsewhere. They’re not on the cards for the Nissan Pathfinder at this stage.
Long range
As such, the 2022 Nissan Pathfinder isn’t an eco-warrior and, owing to the fact its 71-litre tank requires premium unleaded at a minimum, be prepared for a reasonable fuel bill.
Nissan claims an average combined-cycle fuel consumption of 10.0L/100km for two-wheel drive variants and 10.5L/100km for all-wheel drive models, with CO2 emissions at 234g/km and 245g/km respectively.
That’s on par with other large petrol-engined vehicles and 0.1-0.4L/100km higher the last-gen Pathfinder V6, while the previous hybrid was rated at 8.6L/100km (2WD; AWD 8.7L/100km).
What’s it like to drive?
It’s unlikely anyone is looking to buy a Pathfinder and wanting a sports car, but comfort and ease of driving will certainly be high on the list.
And that’s exactly what the Pathfinder offers.
A carryover monocoque chassis benefits from updated front and rear suspension, revised shock absorbers and improved body rigidity. Nissan claims the latter has increased by 28 per cent, while rear roll stiffness is said to have risen by 14 per cent.
This results in a composed and comfortable ride that belies the Pathfinder’s imposing dimensions – it’s 5004mm long, 1978mm wide and 1798mm tall, with a 2900mm wheelbase – and kerb weight, which ranges from 1977-2083kg.
What you really need to know is that it steers and stops with car-like manners.
Sure, there’s no getting away from the overall footprint on hand, but would-be buyers should not let this deter them from a test drive.
The steering offers good feedback, and the ‘thinner’ front pillars enhance forward vision. It’s easy to handle (and park) the Pathfinder, relatively speaking.
The new nine-speed automatic transmission is a great fit and responds well to a prod of the accelerator, kicking down gears quickly when you need it.
Paddle shifters give you more control when you desire, but for the most part the Pathfinder does a seamless job on its own.
Refinement levels are up, and overall driveability is very good.
Off the beaten path
The new 2022 Nissan Pathfinder can go off-road and have various drive and multi-terrain modes to help you along the way.
Standard, Sport, Eco, Snow and Tow are common to all Pathfinder models, with the four-wheel drive variants adding Sand and Mud/Rut to its off-road arsenal.
Drive modes deliver changes to throttle response, steering weight and torque distribution to make the Pathfinder feel more at home off the beaten track than you might expect – but an unladen ground clearance of 178-188mm brings certain limitations.
A short off-road drive loop during the launch event showed the Pathfinder to be capable and controlled.
Add to this a braked towing capacity of 2700kg (the same as before) and a roof load of up to 75kg and the Pathfinder’s appeal broadens.
A quick drive loop hooked up to a jet-ski trailer proved the Pathfinder can indeed tow with minimum fuss, but we’ll put the Pathfinder through more rigorous towing and off-road testing in the near future.
One for the family
The new 2022 Nissan Pathfinder is one of the best-looking family SUVs that stands alongside big hitting Euro luxury rivals at school drop-off.
It’s squared-off rear-end and thoughtful design aesthetics are both bold and classy.
Badge wars aside, if you’re in the market for a seven- or eight-seater SUV and family-friendly practicality is a high priority, you should check out the new Nissan Pathfinder.
It’s not the cheapest SUV in this segment, but it’s loaded with technology and has oodles of space for the whole family, with the potential for towing a caravan or traversing gnarly ruts.
The new Nissan Pathfinder ticks many boxes, and after our first local drive, looks to be a jack of all trades.
2022 Nissan Pathfinder at a glance:
| Price: $54,190-$80,227 (plus on-road costs) |
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic |
| Available: Now |
Fuel: 10.0L/100km 2WD; 10.5L/100km 4WD (ADR Combined) |
| Engine: 3.5-litre V6 petrol |
CO2: 234g/km 2WD; 245g/km 4WD (ADR Combined) |
| Output: 202kW/340Nm |
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2022) |
Disclaimer: Images supplied by Carsales.
This article was prepared by an independent author. The information contained in this article represents the views and opinions of the original author, and is based on research carried out by the original author. The appearance of the article on Maxxia's website does not constitute an endorsement of its content by Maxxia in any way. The article has been made available for informational purposes only and should not be taken as advice. While all reasonable care has been taken to ensure that the statements made by the original author in the article are fair and accurate, Maxxia does not guarantee or warrant the accuracy or completeness of this information and will not be liable for, or in connection with, any loss or damage suffered as a result of any inaccuracies, errors or omissions or your reliance on this information. You should independently research and verify information before making any decision in respect of a vehicle.
