Pros

Roomy interior with creative storage space

Innovative family-friendly features

Optional Advanced technology

Cons

High towing capacity requires expensive premium package

The Nissan Pathfinder has a long history with U.S. car buyers. After 35 years and 1.8 million units sold, along with a 2004 shift from Japan to U.S. production, it’s fair to call the Pathfinder a staple of the U.S. market. But the Pathfinder’s path has been anything but straight and narrow. Over the last three decades Nissan has redesigned the Pathfinder five times, sometimes as an off-road focused, body-on-frame SUV, sometimes as a car-based, unibody crossover.

The previous-generation Pathfinder switched (for a second time) from a truck- to a car-based chassis, losing some longtime fans in the process. The all-new 2022 Nissan Pathfinder sticks with a unibody chassis, though a concerted effort to bolster its “truck cred” is apparent in both styling and functionality. Nissan representatives readily acknowledge the Pathfinder has evolved from a pure off-road vehicle to a family car, including standard three-row seating. But the Pathfinder’s designers and engineers still want the new model to convey a rugged, capable image, along with enhanced flexibility and advanced connectivity.

New 2022 Nissan Pathfinder’s Off-Road Style

The shift toward rugged is apparent at first glance, with the 2022 Pathfinder featuring a more upright profile and slightly larger exterior dimensions (0.6 inches wider, 1.2 inches wider track, 0.2 inches higher and 0.8 inches longer). The wider track is supplemented by a wider tire, a fully electric rack-based steering system, and a retuned suspension offering increased roll stiffness and reduced head toss. These changes are meant to improve both on- and off-road ride quality.

There’s also a new drive/terrain mode selector on the Pathfinder’s center console that looks very Land Rover-ish. It can alter throttle response, steering feel, traction control, and the four-wheel-drive system’s torque distribution based on 7 driving modes (Standard, Sport, Eco, Snow, Sand, Mud/Rut and Tow). Nissan claims the Pathfinder’s new 4WD system has gone from reactive to predictive, adjusting power delivery and locking the differential more quickly to reduce wheel slip and enhance confidence on varying surfaces. 

How Much Power Does the New Pathfinder Have?

The new Pathfinder uses Nissan’s stalwart 3.5 V6 engine, featuring direct injection and producing 284 horsepower and 259 pound-feet of torque. It sends power through an all-new 9-speed transmission with paddle shifters and a shift-by-wire gear selector. With a wider gear ratio spread across 9 gears the new transmission provides better standing start acceleration, improved gear holding when climbing or descending hills, and lower freeway RPM for reduced noise and vibration. It also enables 6,000 pounds of towing on both front- and four-wheel-drive models. That’s more towing capacity than most competitors, allowing the new Pathfinder to pull boats, cars and even large camper trailers.

We were able to test all of these capabilities, using the Pathfinder to tow a large trailer, navigate a fairly aggressive off-road course, and enjoy a long freeway drive through the mountains of Montana. But as a crossover family vehicle we’re confident most Pathfinders will spend most of their time on pavement. Nissan also knows this, and worked to reduce cabin noise through front and side laminated glass, as well as additional interior insulation. The result is a quiet, serene environment during on-road travel, along with a quiet confidence when towing a heavy load or navigating a broken, pockmarked off-road trail. The available driving modes dealt with both slick pavement and slippery, muddy rocks when off roading, confirming the upgraded 4WD’s capabilities.

Pathfinder’s Family Friendly Features

So the new Pathfinder’s styling writes a more aggressive check — one the drivetrain and suspension can easily cash. Yet it remains a three-row crossover, meaning family-friendly functionality is key to serving the target buyer. This is where Nissan focused its energy during the Pathfinder’s redesign, and it shows in all-new features like available second-row captains chairs with an easily-removable center console. A second-row bench seat is also offered, and whether a bench seat or captains chairs the Pathfinder uses a new third-row easy-access system that quickly flips the second-row seats up and forward, without altering the seatback angle. This means baby seats can be mounted in the second row, and left in place, when accessing the third row.

Additional passenger-friendly features include a new rear door intelligent key that lets any door unlock the vehicle, multiple, customizable display screens (a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, a 9-inch central touchscreen, and a 10.8-inch head-up display), wireless smartphone charging, plus USB ports in all three rows. For the USB ports, Nissan offers both a Type C and Type A port in the first row, as well as two second-row ports and two optional third-row ports. These ports feature higher amps to handing iPad as well as iPhone charging.

Highly Innovative Storage Solutions

Interior storage space was another priority during the redesign. Working our way through the Pathfinder’s cabin revealed several innovative cubbies, including an under-console storage bin beneath the shifter, a storage shelf above the glove box, and an angled cell phone pad (with optional wireless charging) that keeps your phone from falling out while driving.

All the traditional storage areas are also present, though they are often larger in the new Pathfinder than you’d find in most competitors. The center console and door pockets feature cupholders large enough to secure today’s oversized drink bottles, and the space behind the third row seat can handle a 120-quart cooler or four golf bags or six TSA carry on bags. Folding all the seats down crates 80.5 cubic feet of storage and lets the new Pathfinder carry a 4-foot wide sheet of plywood. There’s also an under-floor storage area behind the third row meant for muddy or wet items, with a lid that stays open while loading and unloading.

Latest Safety Technology

Today’s advanced safety technology is the bridge that will eventually lead to fully autonomous cars in the future and the 2022 Pathfinder comes standard with Nissan Safety Shield 360. This suite of safety tech bundles everything from automatic high beams to forward collision warning to rear automatic braking. The optional ProPILOT Assist system adds radar cruise control with up to 30 seconds of a full stop while still accelerating when traffic moves again. ProPILOT with Navi-link will also recognize speed limit signs and is linked to the Navigation system, allowing it to adjust cruise control and automatically slow when an exit ramp is part of a navigation route.

How Much Does the 2022 Nissan Pathfinder Cost?

The 2022 Nissan Pathfinder S, with front-wheel drive, starts at $34,560, including a $1,150 destination charge. Adding all-wheel drive bumps the price to $36,460, but both models include Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and the Safety Shield 360 technology. The Pathfinder SV trim adds ProPILOT Assist and heated front seats and heated outside mirrors; the SL adds the Navi-link technology, a 9-inch touchscreen display, a 360-degree camera system, wireless Apple CarPlay and leather seats. The Platinum trim includes the 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, 10.8-inch head-up display, second-row captains chairs with removable center console and the wireless cell phone charging pad. The captains chairs can be added to the SV or SL trims with a premium package that also includes the panoramic moonroof and tow package.

The variety of standard and optional features available on the all-new 2022 Nissan Pathfinder position it well in the highly-competitive three-row crossover segment. Going up against the Ford Explorer, Honda Pilot, Kia Telluride and Toyota Highlander has the Pathfinder offering a higher tow rating, more impressive standard equipment list and several unique features, including the head-up display and removable second-row console. Shoppers seeking an off-road capable and highly connected family vehicle should give the new Pathfinder a closer look.