With the three-row crossover segment more competitive than it’s ever been, the 2022 Nissan Pathfinder debuts as the Japanese automaker’s attempt to play catch-up against the segment-leading Ford Explorer, as the model has historically sold at a fraction of the volume of its rivals. The completely redesigned model features a more rugged exterior, a new transmission, and lots of new tech.
Unlike the 2021 model, the 2022 Nissan Pathfinder boasts an all-new platform with more expressive styling. Nissan widened the Pathfinder’s stance and shortened the front overhang to give the crossover a more substantial profile. The front end is now more upright and the hood ditches the curvaceous look of the previous model.
Despite the all-new platform, Nissan decided to retain the atmospheric 3.5L V6 from the outgoing model, where it will once again be the sole powertrain. The engine is rated at 284 horsepower and 259 pound-feet of torque. Mated to that engine is an all-new nine speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard while all-wheel drive with seven drive modes is optional. Properly configured, the Pathfinder can tow up to 6,000 pounds – a relatively high figure for the segment that is only surpassed by the Dodge Durango and upcoming Jeep Grand Cherokee L.
The interior of the 2022 Nissan Pathfinder boasts improved materials and the addition of one more seat in its third row, which previously featured two, for a total of eight seats. Second row captain’s chairs and a removable center console are new to the Pathfinder, although that configuration drops seating down to seven passengers.
Up front, an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay capability is standard, as is a digital seven-inch gauge cluster and tri-zone automatic climate control. Optional niceties include an available nine-inch infotainment system, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and a 10.8-inch heads-up display.
Every 2022 Nissan Pathfinder comes standard with a slew of modern safety tech including LED headlights, automatic forward and rear emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, land departure warning, and automatic high beams. The optional ProPilot Assist combines adaptive cruise control with lane-centering steering assist and can adjust speeds around curves or exit ramps if buyers opt for the system on the SL trim.
Four trim levels will be offered at launch: S, SV, SL, and Platinum. Nissan has not announced pricing for the Pathfinder, although it will likely be positioned to start around the $32,000 mark, which would make it competitive with the starting price of the Ford Explorer, which starts at smidge below the $33,000 mark.
The 2022 Nissan Pathfinder will be built at Nissan’s Smyrna Assembly plant in Tennessee and is slated to launch in the summer 2021.
We’ll continue reporting on the latest Ford and Lincoln competitors so you can better keep track of what they’re bringing to the table, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for around-the-clock Ford news coverage.
Comments
I like that this site and it’s sister sites are including articles on the competition. It’s becoming more of an all around automotive magazine.
GeorgeS seems to be the only one that approves of ‘Ford Authority'(term applied loosely) including articles about the ‘competition'(read: doesn’t apply). True FoMoCo fans subscribed to’Ford Authority'(I gotta wonder) don’t give two shakes of a rats rear end about Government Motors, electric vehicles or Nissan.
They don’t want to hear about imported anything or about collaborative efforts from freaking China.
Git-a-clue people.
Hi Lee, I like the competitive news as well. So it looks like we got you outnumbered 2-1.
I’m with Lee on this. There is a myriad of websites that you and
others can go to for all the rest of the market. I come to
Fordauthority because I’m only interested in Ford products.
2-2 now.