New Nissan Pathfinder joins trend for affordable luxury

Next-gen family wagon to dish up first-class technology and decadent rear seats for half the cost of European prestige crossovers.

Nissan is set to join Mazda and Hyundai by adopting a luxurious cabin layout previously reserved for European prestige machines.

Rather than having a traditional three-seat bench behind the driver, Nissan’s new Pathfinder will be available with a pair of “captain’s chairs” offering the sort of space and comfort normally found in the front.

The layout is proving popular among customers who want maximum luxury for a minimum spend.

Customers can step through captain’s chairs with armrests to access the third row.

In Nissan’s case, the Pathfinder will be available with USB and household power outlets to the back seat, where passengers also get heated seats and dedicated climate control settings.

Factor in quilted leather trim and a Bose stereo, and it looks like the Pathfinder will be one of the most spacious and comfortable cars in its class – in seven or eight-seat form.

It also promises to be tougher, taking on lessons learned from off-roaders such as the Nissan Patrol and Navara Warrior.

Nissan plans to offer rugged accessories for the new Pathfinder.

Australian prices and arrival dates for the new Pathfinder have not been announced, though it is likely to be a touch dearer than the current variant’s $45,000 to $80,000 price spread.

Key tech in high-grade variants includes a new 10.8-inch head-up display and 12.3-inch digital dashboard, along with wireless smartphone charging, wireless Apple CarPlay and multi-terrain modes for its all-wheel-drive system.

Optional green paint and blacked-out elements make US-spec models look tough.

Customers also get the ProPilot suite of driver aids, including forward and reverse auto emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, lane keeping assistance and more.

Power comes from an updated 3.5-litre petrol V6 combining grunty 212kW and 351Nm peak outputs with thirsty fuel economy.

The 2022 Nissan Pathfinder is available with a digital dash, head-up display and central touchscreen.

A new nine-speed automatic transmission replaces the unloved CVT auto of previous models. Surprisingly, given the increasing popularity of green models, Nissan has not revealed a follow-up act to the Pathfinder Hybrid.

Expect Nissan to present petrol-electric versions of its Pathfinder and new X-Trail in the future.

Nissan has not confirmed a local arrival date for the Pathfinder.

Originally published as New Nissan Pathfinder joins trend for affordable luxury