The first line of the 2022 Nissan Pathfinder press release reads, “Passion runs deep for the iconic Nissan Pathfinder. Owners love its long heritage of rugged capability, and they want more of it”.
This is a rich but honest assessment given that after decades of building the rugged body-on-frame Pathfinder SUV they pulled the rug and turned it into a front-wheel station wagon in 2013. The automotive equivalent to “mom jeans” the current Nissan Pathfinder to many with deep passion has long lost its path.
Offering a bone to a wider swath of buyers beyond soccer moms, the all-new 2022 Nissan Pathfinder steps up its game with a more muscular if not masculine styling theme inside and out, giving it a more upscale message in its curb appeal.
Redesigned from the ground-up the new Nissan Pathfinder remains a front-wheel drive based crossover but has shorter front and rear over hangs, a longer wheelbase, beefier proportions and all of the modern feature elements buyers will expect today like larger wheel offerings and standard LED lighting all around.
Trim grades now span more tastes, a wider band of color choices are available and two-tone paint is offered in five different combinations for those wanting more spritz. We’ll let the design work speak for itself, but I will simply say it appears Nissan got the message that men want back in the boardroom when it comes to design decisions.
This sentiment applies to the new interior which has a much more modern and businesslike design layout, more akin to a luxury briefcase than Graco baby gear. A more refined palette of materials and forms create the decidedly new environment.
Ahead of the driver is an available 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster as well as an available 10.8-inch Head-up Display. Center dash is a collection of new infotainment systems offering up to a 9.0-inch color touchscreen.
Most notable is a new “flying bridge” style center console with storage space underneath. It offers a handsome layout with a short toggle electronic shifter along with rotary dial for drive modes, a slot for your phone and an available wireless charging pad.
With up to 8-passenger seating available the cabin will be available with cloth, leather, a premium quilted semi-aniline leather in a variety of new colors. Brushed bronze metallic trims are among some of the new offerings to change up the interior scape.
Powering the 2022 Nissan Pathfinder is the latest version of the company’s venerable 3.5-liter V6 with 284 horsepower and 259 pound-feet of torque. The big news however is that Nissan has finally ditched the nasty rubber band CVT everyone hates and given the Pathfinder a proper 9-speed automatic transmission. All hail gears!
Combined with the availability of an all-new four-wheel drive system with seven different drive and terrain modes, the new Pathfinder might just get some traction in the marketplace again with adventurous buyers. To wit, the 2022 Pathfinder can to up to 6,000 pounds and features standard Trailer Sway Control.
The 2022 Nissan Pathfinder goes on sale in summer of 2021.
