Nissan Pathfinder 9.2 / 10 . review
Nissan has been in a frenzy lately, replacing its dated lineup with significantly improved products left and right. The latest recipient of the so-called Nissan Next revitalization plan is the 2022 Nissan Pathfinder, which gives us a mid-size three-row crossover with an intriguing new design, an attractive interior, more space, and, perhaps most importantly, a nine-speed automatic transmission that replaces the unit. Constantly changing from last year.
We recently spent a day driving the new and improved 2022 Pathfinder in multiple regions, multiple roads, and despite the late spring rain I did my best to shake up the family SUV. And while the conditions might not be ideal for sidewalk burning, it certainly made our time with Pathfinder more consistent with what customers have to deal with on their own commute. But it’s clear that the sharp new Nissan has come out of its redesign with a family-friendly SUV with some surprising features.
The rule of the car is relative only according to its segment and not the new car market as a whole. The new transmission is one of several major improvements to the Nissan Pathfinder three-row family sedan.
Nissan Pathfinder.. something old, something new
From coats to undergarments, Pathfinder 2022 wears a whole new range of clothing. Featuring the latest in arrow headlamp design, first seen in the improved 2021 Armada, the Nissan Pathfinder features narrow LED lighting at the top of the front fender and bold LED high and low lighting below. Nissan looked to the first-generation Pathfinder for a few basket updates such as the three narrow slits at the top of the front grille called for by the original hood vents.
Other styling cues include the Nissan Rogue-style grille, which looks away from the old Nissan V-Motion styling in every new product. And the square front vent looks nice on the Pathfinder, so we won’t complain about it. The fender flares in the 2022 model are also denser than before, in a departure from the rounded shapes of its predecessor. Thin horizontal tail lights emerge from the rear, surrounding the modern Nissan logo above the text PATHFINDER – Platinum models feature a bright, wide lower bumper trim that adds extra flash to the view. In general, the new Nissan Pathfinder looks like a Rogue model, and there is nothing bad in our eyes.
Inside, the flat-bottom steering wheel, sliding gear selector, optional 9.0-inch infotainment screen and 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster are eclectic. However, the Pathfinder lends its interior some strong elegance, particularly the more angular central area and square dashboard. The center console offers a flowing console, a large armrest enclosure, a small shelf in front of the passenger seat (ideal for phones and wallets) along with storage space for small items that looks more impressive than the one already found in the Rogue.
Despite the completely redesigned exterior and cabin, the Pathfinder still rides on a modified version of its predecessor’s platform, even sharing the same 3.5-liter V6 with 284 horsepower and 259 lb-ft.
But despite those aging bones and a slight 0.8-inch drop in overall length, the new Pathfinder feels larger on the inside, even bigger than its old version, with combined cargo and passenger capacity jumping to around 10 cubic feet in this year’s updated SUV.
Nissan Pathfinder.. Family Vacation
Even the new Pathfinder is still finding ways to spruce up the interior, and that’s evident in the platinum-key trim that surrounds us on highways and winding back roads, and some of the off-road design touches we get. The Platinum version comes standard with second-row captain’s seats, a tool-less removable rear center console, a panoramic roof, quilted semi-aniline leather, heated and ventilated front seats, and heated rear seats, similar to an arrangement for family groups. The first and second rows offer plenty of space for four adults, and the rear center console provides passengers with more places to store their gear.
The space in the third row is sufficient for adults on short trips, thanks to more headroom, hip and shoulder room (although there is less legroom). But like other vehicles in this class, I think it’s best to leave the rear Pathfinder seats for kids and teens to drive longer distances. Reaching the third row isn’t a problem, it’s easy in Pathfinder, thanks to the unique EZ-Flex second-row seat mechanism that reclines and folds either the driver’s seat or the passenger seat forward, and the child seat can be attached to LATCH anchors.
Rugged design cues
Once buckled on the road, we estimated the 2022 Pathfinder chassis to be 50 percent stiffer, thanks to increased use of high-strength steel. This improvement, combined with a revised suspension design that better resists body roll, results in a more confident and safe driving experience. The Pathfinder isn’t sporty at all, but it rides on the road with somewhat more authority than its agile predecessor. Adding to the solid feel is the feel of the new nine-speed, which cuts power more convincingly than the old CVT.
Instead of fake shift points for this transmission, the new gearbox delivers quick, decisive and smooth gear changes, perfect for overtaking two tracks. Speaking of, the relayed V6 is enough for most traffic conditions, but it does get a little sizzling at higher speeds, so plan those passes in advance. We wonder how long Nissan might take before it replaces the Frontier’s powerful 3.8-liter V6, which will likely take the compact Pathfinder’s confidence from fit to nearly best-in-class.
Once twisted on the road and on the road, we estimated the 2022 Pathfinder chassis to be 50 percent stiffer, thanks to increased use of high-strength steel. This improvement, combined with a revised suspension design that better resists chassis rolling, results in a more confident and safe driving experience. The Pathfinder isn’t sporty at all, but it rides on the road with somewhat more power than its agile predecessor. Adding to the feel of stiffness is the new nine-speed, which cuts power more convincingly than the old CVT.
Instead of fake transmission shift points, the new gearbox delivers fast, decisive, smooth gear changes that make it ideal for overtaking tracks. Speaking of the engine, the V6 is enough for most traffic conditions, but it does sizzle a bit at high speeds, so we’re wondering how long it might take Nissan before it replaces the powerful 3.8-liter V6 in the Frontier, which is likely That takes the compact Pathfinder confidence from fit to nearly best-in-class.
Powerful Nissan Pathfinder Engine
In 2013, the Pathfinder ditched its tough truck vision in favor of a transverse V6, with a monocoque body structure, and an optional forward-biased all-wheel drive system.
The 2022 Nissan Pathfinder is pretty much the same, nominally speaking, but the engineers were able to pull some extra off-road capabilities stemming from the three-row CUV technology. But in any case, the optional all-wheel drive system is more advanced than before, as it uses pneumatic clutches in the center differential to engage the rear axle more proactively when wheel speed sensors detect slip. Whereas the old system required the front shaft to rotate slightly before operating the rear axle.
Keen to strut the SUV stuff, Nissan sent us down a tight track in the all-wheel drive Pathfinder SL. Even with the dusty surface becoming a little muddy by the time we were done, the system switched the power back as soon as we encountered the slip. We might give some thanks to the four-wheel-drive model’s seven-position terrain selector, which features Sand, Mud/Rut, Snow, Normal, Sport, Eco and Tow modes.
Admittedly, the 7.1-inch average ground clearance that drives it up the highway tires on Pathfinder isn’t taxed, cementing in us that the SUV will still delight families with most outdoor activities.
Perhaps more impressive than its off-road talent is the 2022 Pathfinder’s 6,000-pound maximum towing capacity, a figure that only a Dodge Durango can beat in the three-row crossover segment. The new gearbox is an integral part of Pathfinder’s newly discovered muscle,
As with the optional towing package, which includes the transmission cooler, tie-down and hitch receiver. The towing package is standard on Platinum models and part of a premium package on SV and SL models, which also includes captain’s chairs and a panoramic roof, as well as a power tailgate on the SV that is already standard on the SL.
Nissan Pathfinder and Safety Dance
Test conditions for the safety technology weren’t perfect, and the Pathfinder seemed a little confused by the glare on the rainy road. As such, it was hard to get centered in the aisle, and stray over the shoulder if we let him. We’ve never had this problem with other Nissan products – ProPilot Assist is usually excellent – so we wonder if the bad weather had anything to do with the proper driver assistance performance of a pre-production lab.
I need my own space
The interior build of the Nissan Pathfinder is pretty competitive with cars in its class, beating the plastic Ford Explorer but not quite a match for the luxury Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride, and while the overall room is a bit less than some competitors, it’s still pretty good at Enough for most families.
Luggage space with all seats is 16.6 cubic feet on the Pathfinder, compared to 21.0 on the Kia and 16.0 on the Pilot. And if we drop the third row, the distance increases to 45.0 on the Pathfinder and 46.0 on the other two rows.
Maximum cargo space on the Pathfinder is 80.5, less than Honda (82.1) and Kia (87.0). The Pathfinder’s primary selling points are its easy-to-fold second row, and the cargo area is large enough to fit 4 x 8 sheets of building material flat on the floor.
The cargo basement behind the rear back seat opens up another 2 cubic feet of organized storage, good for a first aid kit, winter gear, or hidden valuables.
cold hard cash
Pricing for the 2022 Nissan Pathfinder starts at $33,410 for the base S model that comes with automatic emergency braking, blind-spot assist, and an 8.0-inch infotainment screen, while the transition to the SV costs $36,200 and adds ProPilot Assist and WiFi. The Deluxe SL costs $39,590 thanks to standard leather and Wireless CarPlay displayed on a larger 9.0-inch screen and surround display.
The Nissan Pathfinder Platinum-Top Class is priced at $46,190, and comes with a towing package, rear captain’s chairs, and standard quilted leather. The four-wheel drive costs $1,900, and with a few inexpensive options, the green and black Pathfinder ordered $50,290. While the Platinum Dog Top is priced at $46,190, it comes with a towing package, rear captain’s chairs, and a standard quilted leatherette.
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