The 2022 Nissan Pathfinder might possess one of many oldest SUV nameplates, however the precise car itself has modified wildly through the years. It has oscillated between body-on-frame and unibody (crossover) structure, and has grown in measurement and seat quantity. It’s been a car really able to find paths and one which’s higher suited to utilizing well-paved paths already discovered. Now, the Pathfinder has been redesigned once more and for the primary time within the nameplate’s 37-year existence, it’s sustaining its structure and seat rely from one technology to the following.
The 2022 Pathfinder continues to be a seven-passenger crossover, and though it continues to fall into “paths already discovered” camp, its bolder, extra chiseled look is at the very least extra in line with Pathfinders of outdated. Its inside is extra fashionable in look, supplies high quality and expertise content material – it’s even among the finest within the phase in that regard. Inside house is clearly ample contemplating it’s a three-row SUV, however it’s additionally merely common by way of third-row and cargo house. The driving expertise has additionally been dramatically improved from its fairly unlucky predecessor, with the spotlight being a brand new nine-speed automated changing the outdated CVT. It nonetheless isn’t our prime decide within the phase, however we’re additionally not postpone.
Briefly, the brand new Pathfinder is extra in line with the nameplate’s first three generations in vibe, if nonetheless completely completely different in idea and engineering. That makes it a extra interesting and barely higher household hauler. We’d nonetheless select a Kia Telluride, Hyundai Palisade, Toyota Highlander Hybrid or Jeep Grand Cherokee L first, however among the many second tier of alternate options, the Pathfinder ought to undoubtedly be thought of.
Inside & Expertise | Passenger & Cargo House | Efficiency & Gasoline Financial system
What it is prefer to drive | Pricing & Options | Crash Rankings & Security Options
What’s new for 2022?
The Pathfinder isn’t fairly “all-new.” Regardless of the previous technology lasting for much longer than regular, its underlying platform and three.5-liter V6 carry over. Give it some thought because the bones being the identical, however it will get completely new pores and skin and clothes. You may learn extra about what’s new in our 2022 Nissan Pathfinder first drive.
What are the Pathfinder inside and in-car expertise like?
That is arguably the Pathfinder’s greatest attribute. Though the range-topping Platinum trim degree you see up there’s its greatest foot ahead, full with good-looking two-tone leather-based/pleather all over, even decrease trim ranges profit from the identical good-looking design, considerate storage and user-friendly expertise. Basic supplies high quality is common for the phase, which speaks to how good the phase is.
The middle console incorporates a huge pad to cost your smartphone, be it wired or wi-fi on higher trims, plus a smaller bin to prop up your telephone must you desire. The cupholders are massive and versatile, the under-armrest and door bins are giant, and there’s bonus storage beneath the console. You too can get a hard and fast middle console in between the out there second-row captain’s chairs, however it’s huge open, which isn’t nice for safety or accumulating Cheerios.
The 9-inch touchscreen you see right here is commonplace on the SL and Platinum trim ranges, and incorporates a person interface that basically nails a candy spot of aesthetics and performance. There are laborious buttons and knobs, plus a stationary row of on-screen menu icons, that are all the time appreciated. The show itself is excessive decision and options vibrant colours with engaging, legible graphics. It is probably not ultra-wide (as within the Palisade and Telluride) or tall (Explorer), however it’s sufficiently big, simple to see and works effectively. We’ve got not sampled the Eight-inch display discovered within the S and SV trims, however we might assume based mostly on such screens in different Nissans that its user-friendly performance needs to be roughly the identical regardless of the smaller measurement.
How massive is the Pathfinder?
The 2022 Pathfinder is mainly the identical measurement on the surface because the Palisade, Telluride, Pilot, Subaru Ascent, and so on. Variations inside are extra noticeable, nevertheless, notably within the third row the place the seat is slightly nearer to the ground than you’d discover in these talked about above and subsequently much less spacious and comfy. Nissan’s technique of getting again there’s higher than most, nevertheless, because the second-row not solely slides ahead on the contact of a button (that’s fairly frequent), however does so in a manner that gives extra space to squeeze again into the third-row and permits you to preserve forward-facing youngster seats put in. That might simply be deal-sealer for some and would possibly really be essential for those who go for the Platinum and its fastened middle console.
Cargo house behind the raised third row measures at 16.6 cubic-feet, which is mainly the identical because the Honda Pilot, however like that competitor, the Pathfinder’s boxy form and helpful under-floor storage really assist it carry extra stuff than its specs would point out. We might match 4 medium-sized suitcases again there plus a duffle bag beneath the ground. It measures 45 cubic-feet with the third row lowered and 80.5 with each rear rows lowered, that are sufficiently big that variations with opponents shouldn’t matter a lot.
What are the Pathfinder gas financial system and efficiency specs?
Like extra opponents, there is just one engine on provide: a three.5-liter V6 good for a aggressive 284 horsepower and 259 pound-feet of torque. It’s paired to a nine-speed automated, and both commonplace front-wheel drive or optionally available all-wheel drive. Gasoline financial system is 21 mpg metropolis, 26 mpg freeway and 23 mpg mixed with FWD. Surprisingly, AWD gas financial system is definitely higher on the freeway, however successfully the identical: 21/27/23. The Platinum AWD trim goes all the way down to 20/25/22. All these figures are typical for the phase.
With the out there tow hitch, the Pathfinder can tow 6,000 kilos, which is greater than the phase’s 5,000-pound norm.
What is the Pathfinder prefer to drive?
We fortunately not must gripe a few CVT mooing on because the Pathfinder chugs up a freeway on-ramp – the brand new nine-speed automated does its job commendably sufficient that we didn’t actually discover it. The identical can largely be mentioned of the 284-hp V6, which is sufficiently sturdy for the phase however hardly a standout for higher or worse.
The brand new Pathfinder is notably extra composed than its predecessor, which was a bit squishy and susceptible to bobbing over larger bumps. Its steering can be higher weighted. Nonetheless, the steering effort and response by no means feels fairly proper – maybe a tad too gradual given the quantity of effort – and the suspension with the out there 20-inch wheels produces an regular journey that mixes a agency response to harsher impacts with a relaxed response to bigger bumps and undulations. You get the impression Nissan didn’t fairly know which lane to decide on, so to talk, whereas tuning the Pathfinder. Its opponents are extra coherent.
What different Nissan Pathfinder critiques can I learn?
2022 Nissan Pathfinder First Drive Evaluation | Mechanically higher; nonetheless not the most effective
Learn this for extra details about all that modified for 2022, plus a deeper dive into what it is prefer to drive.
How a lot is the 2022 Pathfinder value?
Pricing for the 2022 Pathfinder begins at $36,330 for the bottom S trim degree, together with the $1,225 vacation spot cost. All-wheel drive is a $1,900 choice on all trim ranges.
You’ll find characteristic content material for every of the Pathfinder trim ranges right here on Autoblog.
S: $36,330
SV: $37,895
SL: $41,365
Platinum: $47,965
What are the Pathfinder security rankings and driver help options?
Each 2022 Pathfinder contains ahead collision warning with automated emergency braking that detects pedestrians and cyclists; rear automated braking (a uncommon characteristic); blind-spot and rear cross-traffic warning (normally optionally available); and lane-departure warning. Steering intervention for the blind-spot and lane-departure system is added on all however the base S. The highest three trims even have Nissan ProPilot Help, the superior adaptive cruise management system that provides well-executed steering help system. You must preserve a hand on the wheel, however the automobile does many of the work.
NHTSA had not crash examined the 2022 Pathfinder on the time of this writing. The Insurance coverage Institute for Freeway Security gave it the best-possible rating of “Good” in all crash exams, however curiously, it received a second-best “Acceptable” rating for its head restraints and seats. We actually don’t bear in mind seeing a automobile get one thing apart from “Good” earlier than in that class. The Pathfinder additionally received an “Acceptable” rating for its headlights, which is definitely fairly good for the trade, and prime marks for its ahead collision prevention techniques.
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