Nissan Australia has lastly reintroduced extra reasonably priced variations of its Pathfinder household SUV.
In February 2023 the front-wheel drive Nissan Pathfinder ST and Ti – in addition to the all-wheel drive ST-L – have been faraway from tariffs on account of provide constraints.
Excessive demand for the all-wheel drive Ti and Ti-L was additionally cited by the model, however this left the vary opening at $71,490 earlier than on-roads slightly than $54,190 earlier than on-roads when the front-drive ST opened the vary.
Now, there may be now some aid, with the arrival of a brand new front-wheel drive ST-L, and the return of the aforementioned ST-L AWD and Ti FWD grades. On check now we have the Nissan Pathfinder ST-L AWD.
Priced from $64,170 earlier than on-road prices, the ST-L AWD brings down the value of entry to the all-paw Pathfinder household, however is $2300 dearer than it was when it was final bought right here.
WATCH: Paul’s video evaluation of the 2023 Nissan Pathfinder Ti
The Pathfinder vary has additionally expanded with only a single naturally aspirated V6 petrol possibility, a product of its North American goal market, regardless of an growing variety of rivals providing electrified and even diesel-powered choices.
With competitors on this house as sizzling as ever, is Nissan’s eight-seat household hauler price a glance in as we speak’s market?
How does the Nissan Pathfinder examine?
View an in depth breakdown of the Nissan Pathfinder towards equally sized automobiles.
Nissan
Pathfinder
How a lot does the Nissan Pathfinder value?
Whereas the brand new ST-L FWD opens the vary below $60,000; the ST-L AWD on check has seen a $2380 worth improve because it was final supplied in Australia.
To see how the Nissan Pathfinder strains up towards the competitors, try our comparability software.
What’s the Nissan Pathfinder like on the within?
The Pathfinder could be very fashionable Nissan inside, which has its strengths and disadvantages.
It’s an enormous departure from the earlier Pathfinder, which had inside components that dated again to the late noughties and early 2010s. This new automotive is way extra fashionable, however however is already wanting dated in some areas.
The freestanding 9.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system is nicely featured; with native satellite tv for pc navigation, DAB+ radio and wi-fi Apple CarPlay all customary. Android Auto, nevertheless, is wired solely.
It runs the present Nissan-Mitsubishi interface which is straightforward and simple to make use of, although at occasions is usually a contact laggy and a few of the graphics are wanting a bit previous. I’m nonetheless undecided why the Pathfinder misses out on the supply of the nicer 12.3-inch touchscreen obtainable within the smaller X-Path and Qashqai.
The analogue gauge cluster is one other instance. Whereas clear and considerably engaging, the setup feels dated in comparison with the flatter and extra digitised shows supplied by rivals. A Hyundai Santa Fe or Kia Sorento, by comparability, really feel rather more tech-laden and premium on this respect.
For those who’re not tech-obsessed although every thing works advantageous, and the Pathfinder goes far to supply very snug, couch-like entrance chairs that supply energy adjustment for the driving force, leatherette-lined and top-stitched surfaces and particulars, in addition to a number of cabin storage.
The ST-L’s fabric trim is supple however feels exhausting sporting, and there’s a very good degree of adjustment in each the driving force’s seat and the steering wheel to discover a snug driving place.
Construct high quality feels fairly strong on this American-built Nissan, and there are refined lashings of piano black trim over the local weather management pod – with bodily controls, hurrah! There are huge cupholders, plus cubbies all through to stow telephones, pockets, keys… you identify it.
Intelligent standouts embrace the massive storage cubby below the centre bridge courtesy of the shift-by-wire system, and the door bins are additionally greater than able to swallowing huge bottles and the like.
Dad and mom with two or three kids can be nicely catered for by the second row, which has heaps of house for baby seats or lanky youngsters. The center seat is just a little skinny, nevertheless it means the outer seats are virtually as snug because the fronts.
The second row slides and reclines, and there’s a one-touch perform that permits simpler entry into the rearmost row of seating. However, the smaller portion of that split-folding part is on the left-hand-drive curb aspect, which is road aspect in right-hand drive Australia.
For those who’re transporting three throughout, the flat flooring helps unlock foot- and toe-room so your backseat bandits aren’t always enjoying an aggressive sport of footsies – I’m the eldest of three, it will possibly flip into WW3.
You get loads of consolation options too, like a 3rd zone of local weather management with ceiling-mounted air flow; USB-A and -C charging ports on the rear of the centre console; a fold-down centre armrest with cupholders; map pockets on the backs of each entrance seats; and bottle holders within the doorways.
Not like most three-row SUVs in Australia, the Pathfinder provides a three-seat third-row bench. So, you might have as much as eight seats to play with – making the Nissan a rival to the Hyundai Palisade in addition to folks movers just like the Kia Carnival.
It’s not fairly folks mover spacious as there’s the next flooring with the SUV AWD {hardware} beneath the rear, however with the second row slid just a little ahead there’s higher leg and knee room than many phase rivals. It could possibly be higher although, given how a lot house remains to be left behind the third row of seats.
There’s additionally a 3rd ISOFIX anchor level on the left-side third-row seat to go along with the 2 on the outboard second-row seats, however the excessive shoulder line and chunky aspect inside panels may make outward visibility for smaller, nausea-prone kids just a little difficult.
Boot house is rated at 205 litres with the third row in use, 554 litres with the third row folded and 782 litres with each the second and third rows folded.
It sounds restricted on paper, and whereas Nissan doesn’t quote the measurement sort it seems it’s measured to the bottom of the window line which is kind of low. As you’ll be able to see from the images, there’s numerous house on provide should you measure to the headrests and even the roofline.
Nissan matches an area saver spare wheel below the boot of the Pathfinder, in comparison with the full-size spares employed by some rivals. Nonetheless, it’s higher than a tyre restore package.
To see how the Nissan Pathfinder strains up towards the competitors, try our comparability software.
What’s below the bonnet?
The Pathfinder is solely obtainable with a 3.5-litre naturally aspirated V6 petrol engine.
To see how the Nissan Pathfinder strains up towards the competitors, try our comparability software.
How does the Nissan Pathfinder drive?
It’s been some time since I’ve pushed a Pathfinder, and this revisit in its most humble kind was truly fairly nice.
The three.5-litre petrol V6 is just a little old-school nevertheless it’s superbly clean and rev-happy, working nicely with the sharp-shifting nine-speed computerized transmission.
In typical naturally aspirated style, it’s properly conscious of inputs and linear in the way it delivers its energy. On the flipside, it usually has to rev out fairly exhausting to get transferring shortly and likewise must shuffle via gears for the reason that peak torque of 340Nm doesn’t come on faucet till a lofty 4800rpm.
For people who take pleasure in non-turbocharged, big-block engine response this can be properly acquainted, however for these used to the punchy low-down response of turbocharged petrol and diesel alternate options, you may be left wanting for extra.
Fortunately, the V6 has a pleasant brassy tone as you rev it out – maybe nicer than even the twin-turbo V6 within the Z coupe…
Gas financial system additionally suffers in consequence. Whereas Nissan claims a mixed 10.5L/100km for the AWD fashions, we solely received near that with extra freeway use.
The dearth of idle stop-start tech and the thirsty nature of big-block petrol engines means in stop-start peak-hour site visitors you’ll simply see the journey laptop present 12-13L/100km.
Not less than it’s snug and fairly refined all spherical, with a comfort-leaning softer suspension tune which is fairly typical of American-focused vehicles. Insulation from street and wind noise can also be respectable for the category.
The Pathfinder fortunately cruises on the town or on the freeway with a secure really feel and irons out the lumps and bumps of Australian roads.
Being an enormous, comfortable household SUV, the Pathfinder hasn’t been designed to carve out apexes and tear up B-roads.
The Pathfinder’s gentle steering and comfortable suspension tunes make this simple to drive in day by day situations regardless of its hefty dimension, however whereas the steering response is correct it’s not tremendous feelsome and may really feel overly assisted to some.
Props to Nissan for together with a surround-view digital camera as customary tools together with Transferring Object Detection, although the precise high quality and determination of the cameras leaves a bit to be desired in comparison with rival nameplates.
You’ve gotten good outward visibility due to the tall glasshouse, although the chunky A-pillars and aspect mirrors may take a bit to get used to should you’re popping out of a smaller automotive.
As for driver help, the Pathfinder follows Nissan’s different new fashions in being decked out with intuitive assists.
ProPilot combines adaptive cruise and lane centring features for semi-autonomous freeway driving, and it largely does a very good job save for the odd event it drifts just a little too near one of many strains on both aspect.
Blind-spot and rear cross-traffic help present lively intervention to stop collisions, and the audible warnings aren’t ear-piercingly annoying.
All add as much as be an enormous – even a two-generation – leap over the previous Pathfinder, and undoubtedly retains the Nissan aggressive with rival automobiles from Hyundai and Toyota.
What do you get?
The ST-L is at the moment the entry level into the Pathfinder lineup in Australia.
Pathfinder ST-L customary tools:
8 seats18-inch alloy wheelsAutomatic LED headlightsAutomatic high-beamRoof railsLED fog lightsPower tailgate9.0-inch touchscreen10.8-inch head-up display7.0-inch TFT instrument cluster displayWireless Apple CarPlayWired Android AutoDAB+ digital radio6-speaker sound systemSatellite navigationBlack fabric upholstery8-way energy driver’s seat with lumbar controlHeated entrance seatsTri-zone local weather controlPower-folding and heated exterior mirrorsKeyless entry and begin‘EZ Flex’ latch-and-glide seating adjustmentLeather-accented steering wheelTilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustmentElectric parking brake2 x USB-A outlets2 x USB-C outlets2 x 12V outletsRemote startRear privateness glass
Colors
Customary: $NCO
Premium: $750
Scarlet EmberSuper BlackGun MetallicBrilliant SilverIvory PearlDeep Ocean Blue Pearl
Two-tone: $1400 (Ti, Ti-L)
Boulder Gray with Black roofScarlet Ember with Black roofIvory Pearl with Black roofGun Metallic with Black roof
Is the Nissan Pathfinder secure?
The Nissan Pathfinder acquired a five-star ANCAP security ranking based mostly on testing performed in 2022.
Customary security tools on all fashions contains:
9 airbagsAdaptive cruise management with pace limiterAutonomous emergency brakingPedestrian detectionCyclist detectionJunction assistForward + ReverseBlind-spot assistLane departure warningLane hold assistProPilotAdaptive cruise management + lane centringRear cross-traffic alertRear seat alert systemSurround-view camerasTraffic signal recognition with over-speed preventionTyre strain monitoring
How a lot does the Nissan Pathfinder value to run?
Like the broader Nissan lineup, the Pathfinder is roofed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre new automobile guarantee with 5 years of normal roadside help.
To see how the Nissan Pathfinder strains up towards the competitors, try our comparability software.
CarExpert’s Tackle the Nissan Pathfinder
Essentially the most reasonably priced Pathfinder AWD places in a strong, if considerably uninspiring exhibiting.
It’s an enormous, snug and sensible SUV that may fortunately haul your loved ones and hold them secure on the street, and even on this extra attainable trim degree provides loads of options and tech to maintain it present for a while.
Those who recognize harder seems will seemingly take pleasure in its cumbersome and boxy proportions, which additionally translate to fairly a spacious cabin for these carrying not less than 5 folks repeatedly.
The Pathfinder provides strong on-road efficiency with a candy, rev-happy engine, comfortable and refined driving traits and respectable manoeuvrability for one thing measuring 5.0m lengthy and practically 2.0m large.
However, this phase is as sizzling and aggressive as ever, and the Pathfinder falls behind quite a few rivals in a number of key areas.
First up, drivetrain. Whereas a candy revver and clean operator, the three.5-litre V6 is behind the occasions on the subject of low-down efficiency and outright gas effectivity.
Idle stop-start would minimize gas use, however a correct hybrid possibility would deliver down operating prices notably for households acutely aware of weekly gas payments and environmental facets.
Subsequent is the tech. Sure, the infotainment system is okay, as are the suite of driver assists, however the shows are drained within the face of recent Chinese language and Korean fashions, and that extends to the {surround} cameras which appear like 480p feeds.
The ST-L trim on check additionally isn’t notably ‘low-cost’ given it’s at the moment the entry grade in Australia. Personally the AWD model is simply actually vital should you plan on frequenting the snow fields or navigate grime roads repeatedly – in any other case, save the $4500 and get the FWD that’s significantly better worth for cash relative to the category.
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MORE: Every part Nissan Pathfinder
