All-new 2022 Nissan Pathfinder Debuts With Fresh Looks, No CVT
The current Nissan Pathfinder has finally reached the end of a long road. Today, the company unveiled an all-new generation of the three-row midsize SUV set to go on sale for the 2022 model year.
The reveal took place at the same time as the equally new 2022 Nissan Frontier, which we are covering in a separate story.
At first glance, the fifth-gen Pathfinder looks similar in many ways to the 2021 Nissan Rogue. It’s a bit boxier than its predecessor in an attempt to regain some ruggedness, a move that we’ve also seen with a certain number of competitors.
Up front, Nissan’s V-motion grille is more rectangular, while the LED headlights are mounted pretty high. At the other end, the name of the model appears in block letters on the liftgate, again imitating several other SUVs in the segment. The taillights are wider, too.
New Transmission
Mechanically, the biggest news is the nine-speed automatic transmission borrowed from the TITAN pickup. On the 2022 Nissan Pathfinder, it replaces the CVT.
The 3.5-litre V6 engine returns, producing 284 horsepower and 259 pound-feet of torque. Another thing that doesn’t change is the standard AWD system across all trim levels—S, SV, SL and Platinum (the Rock Creek Edition is not coming back).
During a presentation which The Car Guide attended, Nissan officials made no mention whatsoever about adding an electrified powertrain at some point.
As for towing capacity, you can still expect to tow up to 6,000 pounds (2,722 kilograms)—best among V6-powered competitors. The Dodge Durango remains the king thanks to its HEMI V8.
ProPILOT as Standard
The 2022 Nissan Pathfinder comes standard with the ProPILOT semi-autonomous driving system and Nissan Safety Shield 360. The latter includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind spot warning, rear cross traffic alert, lane departure warning, rear automatic braking and high beam assist.
Inside, a head-up display, 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and nine-inch centre touchscreen are available. Many details are inspired from the 2021 Rogue and help create a much more modern environment than what Pathfinder customers are used to. Remember, the outgoing generation dates back to 2013.
Depending on the model, the Pathfinder can accommodate up to eight passengers. As a new feature, the second-row bench seat can be replaced by a pair of captain’s chairs.
The 2022 Nissan Pathfinder will land in Canadian showrooms this summer. Pricing goes as follows (excludes $1,860 destination charges):
| Pathfinder S 4WD | $43,798 |
| Pathfinder SV 4WD | $46,798 |
| Pathfinder SL 4WD | $50,398 |
| Pathfinder SL Premium 4WD | $52,198 |
| Pathfinder Platinum 4WD | $54,398 |