For 2023 Nissan bolsters its bread and butter Pathfinder model with the more off-road styled and capable Rock Creek trim – adding yet another installment of hair on the chest for a vehicle that in its last generation was generally mocked for being the mom-jeans of mid-size SUVs.
Boasting a more aggressive character that looks beefier and feels more credible for getting dirty the new 2023 Nissan Pathfinder Rock Creek will likely be a good addition to the lineup in an increasingly overlanding obsessed world of SUV buyers.
Visual cues include a unique front fascia and grille treatment with black trim and mesh. LED fog lights can be found down below. Up on top is the real prize, a standard tubular roof rack that can handle up to 220 pounds of cargo. There’s also the expected badges all around, Rock Creek.
To be offered with four-wheel drive only, the Pathfinder Rock Creek gets off-road tuned springs and dampers and adds 5/8” of lift to increase ground clearance. The extra height helps the healthy 18-inch bead-lock styled alloy wheels and their chewy Toyo Open Country 265/60R18 all-terrain tires fit into their wells nicely.
Towing for the Pathfinder Rock Creek is 6,000 pounds, a tow-hitch receiver and trailer sway control are standard equipment. For getting out into the wild and making it back unscathed, the 360-degree Nissan Around View monitor is standard to help you see your perimeter with things get complicated.
The cabin also gets the camping out in the wild treatment with unique upholstery and trims that lean more rugged in their construction and execution. Seats are a leatherette and fabric combination with Rock Creek logos throughout. Orange contrast stitching can be seen across the board at seats, center console, dash soft trims and the steering wheel.
Second row captain’s chairs with a center console are standard on the Rock Creek, giving it a seven-passenger rating as the third row is set up for three across.
Nissan’s well proven 3.5-liter V6 continues for 2023 mated to a 9-speed automatic transmission with seven different drive and terrain modes.
When pumping premium fuel, additional horsepower and torque is also noted with an increase to 295 ponies over the standard 284. Torque also increases to 270 pound-feet up from 259. Premium fuel isn’t necessary for Pathfinder, but power levels revert to the lower levels.
The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder Rock Creek will be available in six mono-tone and four two-tone exterior pain color combinations and goes on sale late summer 2022. Pricing and final specifications will be announced closer to that time.
