Nissan Pathfinder 2022: when will the new-gen model arrive and what should you expect?

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After being revealed earlier this year, Nissan confirmed the fifth-generation Pathfinder would make its way to Australia, though the exact timing wasn’t clear.

Given the considerable delays being experienced by the automotive industry, Chasing Cars understands that Nissan Australia will reveal the expected launch timing for the all-new Pathfinder (and 2022 X-Trail) in the coming weeks, with exact pricing and specification to be announced closer to launch.

Replacing the now-discontinued fourth-generation Pathfinder (launched in 2013), Nissan’s new large SUV is likely to arrive during the second half of 2022, around the same time as the next-gen X-Trail midsize SUV.

The more stylish 2022 Pathfinder appears to be more practical and capable than its patchy predecessor, with the availability of both seven- and eight-seat options on US models, intended to take on full-bodied rivals such as the Mazda CX-9 and new Toyota Kluger.

What will the 2022 Pathfinder range look like?

As with the previous generation, the 2022 Pathfinder bound for Australia will be manufactured in Nissan’s Tennessee plant in the US, where it has only recently gone on sale.

The old Pathfinder is no longer available in Australia, leaving a hole in Nissan’s SUV-focused line-up, though the more expensive Patrol 4WD remains on sale.

Prior to its discontinuation, the Pathfinder was offered in four grades – the ST, ST+, ST-L and Ti, and available with front- and all-wheel drive.

A similar four-variant grade structure is used for the new Pathfinder in the US, so we expect this will continue when the large SUV arrives in Australia.

Nissan previously offered two drivetrains on the outgoing model: a 3.5-litre direct-injection petrol V6 engine developing 202kW of power and 340Nm of torque, and a supercharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol-electric engine that produced a combined 188kW/330Nm. 

Under the bonnet of the fifth-generation Pathfinder resides an updated version of the 3.5-litre petrol V6 with outputs boosted to 212kW/351Nm in US form. At the time of writing, it remains the sole engine choice for the 2022 Pathfinder, with no replacement yet announced for the previous Pathfinder Hybrid.

The somewhat unloved CVT transmission has been (thankfully) ditched in favour of a new nine-speed automatic transmission, and buyers can still choose between front- and all-wheel drive options.

While the new Pathfinder continues to be a monocoque design, towing is almost on par with many body-on-frame vehicles at up to 2720kg braked, and even combines with a dedicated towing mode.

While Australian specification is yet to be detailed, Nissan offers the US Pathfinder with a fairly generous level of specification as standard.

The two entry-level trims feature cloth seats while the higher-grades receive a leather-appointed interior of increasingly lush quality as you move up the range.

All bar the entry-level grade receive heated seats as standard, with the top-spec model featuring a heated and cooled front row, and a heated second-row for the outboard positions.

Buyers can choose between an 8.0-inch or 9.0-inch centre touchscreen, with wireless Apple Carplay and a wireless phone charger available on higher grades. Other notable features include three-zone climate control and a 13-speaker Bose sound system.

Directly in front of the driver sits a 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster flanked by analogue dials or a larger 12.3-inch digital display paired with a head-up display in the flagship Pathfinder.

Safety has been given a boost with front AEB with pedestrian detection, rear AEB, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, rear cross-traffic alert and auto high-beam, along with 10 airbags dotted around the cabin.

How much will the 2022 Pathfinder cost?

With the new Pathfinder receiving an extensive (and expensive-looking) upgrade to its exterior styling, along with new safety technology, we expect to see a slight price rise across the range.

The outgoing Pathfinder was priced from $44,240 to $70,140 (before on-road costs), though the removal of the more expensive hybrid option could see the price ceiling remain similar, which would broadly align with its top-spec competitors..

While the level of specification chosen in Australia could raise or lower the price, in the US the Pathfinder starts at $45,484 (US$33,410) and tops out at $66,831 (US$49,090).

Given that prices have increased by around $2000-$4500 in the US, we expect the new Pathfinder to start at around $46,500 and command $70,500 in top-spec Ti 4WD trim, with both prices listed before on-road costs.

Nissan Australia has yet to confirm the pricing or exact specifications, but we expect to hear more information soon.