Nissan Pathfinder hybrid could be released in Australia if it is built for America

With an e-Power hybrid variant of both the Nissan Qashqai and X-Trail being introduced to Nissan’s line-up in 2023, it’d only be natural for the same thing to happen with the brand’s new-generation Pathfinder large SUV…right? 

There is an emerging lineup of hybrid-powered large SUVs on sale in Australia. The segment is led by the 184kW Toyota Kluger hybrid (from $54K), and has recently been joined by the Kia Sorento HEV (from $66K) and the Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid (from $63K).

Nissan even sold a hybrid version of its previous-generation Pathfinder here in Australia between 2014 and 2016, priced at $42K – but this time around there is no hybrid to be seen.

At the launch of the new Pathfinder, which uses a non-hybrid, non-turbo V6 petrol engine, Chasing Cars put the question to Nissan Australia managing director Adam Paterson.

Paterson highlighted the benefits of the new petrol V6 powertrain, but confirmed that Nissan Australia would evaluate any opportunity that came up – including bringing a new Pathfinder hybrid down under.

“We’d obviously look at anything we’ve got. But it would have to make sense for the market,” Paterson said. 

Acknowledging that there is “a market for hybrids in Australia,” Paterson affirmed that the business case for bringing a hybrid version of the large SUV here would need to stand up.

If the Pathfinder followed in the footsteps of the X-Trail in terms of hybridisation, then it’s likely that the large 3.5-litre V6 engine making 202kW and 340Nm would not be the basis for the system.

The previous-generation Nissan Pathfinder hybrid used a 2.5-litre supercharged four-cylinder petrol engine and an electric motor, producing 188kW of power.

Nissan’s approach to hybrid engines has now shifted to its e-Power system – normally teaming a torquey, small-displacement turbocharged petrol engine with a powerful electric motor.

Normally, it is the electric motor that directly drives the vehicle in a Nissan hybrid, though the petrol engine can do so under heavy sustained loads.

In the case of the X-Trail e-Power hybrid, the system uses a 1.3-litre turbocharged petrol engine and two electric motors to produce a combined 157kW of power and 525Nm of torque.

Nissan Pathfinder 2023: prices in Australia

All prices listed are before on-road costs.

• ST (2WD): $54,190
• ST-L: $61,790
• Ti (2WD): $65,910
• Ti: $70,030
• Ti-L: $80,227