Review: 2023 Nissan Pathfinder

Launched in late 2022, the all-new Nissan Pathfinder has received a restyling overhaul bringing fresh modern looks and a substantial presence on the road.

Nissan has moved away from the bulbous silhouette of the previous generation into a trendy, boxier design that boasts impressive interior space and comfort. The new Pathfinder comes in two trim levels, the Ti and Ti-L, both of which feature Nissan's intelligent 4x4 system. We spent a weekend with the Ti model to experience just how this generously-sized SUV handles family activities.

Initial Impressions

The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder offers a bolder presence on the road than its predecessor with its brawnier appearance offering a sense of stability and inspiring confidence in its safety. The generous dimensions offer exceptional interior space as well as great visibility all the way around.

Driveability

The new Pathfinder features a 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission that pushes out a respectable 202kW of power and 340Nm of torque. While this keeps the Pathfinder quite tame in terms of acceleration and dynamic performance, it allows for a braked towing capacity of 2700kg meaning you can pull a decently-sized caravan without much of a hassle. The Pathfinder's intelligent 4x4 system actively responds to changes in terrain, allowing the vehicle to maintain optimal traction with minimal wheel slippage. It also features seven driving modes, allowing you to dial in the right setting to match the environment.

The Pathfinder offers a smooth and stable driving experience that eats up bumps in the road without much interior disturbance. Despite its size, it handles the urban commute quite swimmingly, which is also made easier by the boxier body shape allowing you to accurately discern the exterior proportions of the vehicle without too much guesswork. Obviously, the parking sensors, reversing camera, and surround-view camera also make this a breeze to deal with.

Liveability

The practicality and family-focused design of the new Pathfinder are probably its key advantages and what will be most attractive to its owners. In terms of safety, the 2023 Pathfinder is an excellent family choice. Not only has the new model received a 5-star ANCAP Safety rating, but it's also in the top five best performers in Child Occupant Protection. The Pathfinder also features a substantial array of advanced safety features including a suite of Nissan Intelligent Mobility features. This includes intelligent emergency braking, rear automatic braking, rear cross-traffic alert, blind spot intervention, and lane intervention. Nissan's ProPILOT system also provides extra assistance for highway driving with adaptive cruise control and lane keep assist making the driving experience a bit less taxing.

Continuing with the benefits of the Pathfinder's size, you're spoilt with the amount of available interior space spread across all three rows. Your entry/exit is also completely unhindered with the rear passenger doors opening at almost a complete ninety-degree angle meaning you won't have much trouble getting the kids onboard. Accessing the third row is also easily handled with the press of a button which slides and tilts the middle row seats forward creating a passage into the rear. Putting the middle row back into its original position is just as easy and can even be done from the third row with the button located on the back of the middle row seat.

With all three rows in use, you still have a decent 205 litres of rear cargo space plus a handy storage bin hidden below the boot liner which is perfect for spare tools, dirty shoes, or other items you might wish to tuck away from a prying eye. Folding the rear seats down boosts the cargo space to a hefty 554 litres while both rows stowed provide an exceptional 782 litres to play with. The cargo space is easily accessed via a convenient electric tailgate that can also be operated remotely via the key fob. Speaking of the key fob, we also love the remote start option that allows you to start the engine from afar and prep the car in advance of your departure.

With all the features packed into the Ti trim of the Pathfinder, you may be wondering what the difference is in the top-of-the-range Ti-L model. The primary distinction features in the middle row where the bench seat is replaced with two luxe captain's chairs. Other prominent features that boost the level of luxury include a panoramic glass roof including a power sunroof, a larger digital instrument cluster, 20-inch wheels instead of 18-inch, and quilted leather-accented seat trim.

Cost

Nissan has opted to streamline their Pathfinder configurations with minimal price variance across the two trim levels. The Ti variant starts at $76,830 driveaway, while the Ti-L variant will set you back $87,741 driveaway. Additional options are limited to exterior paint colour with single-tone options adding an extra $750 to the price, while some slick-looking two-tone options are available for an extra $1,400.

Conclusion

Overall, the new Nissan Pathfinder is a fantastic choice for families looking for a safe and spacious SUV with modern technologies and the capability to be a bit adventurous when it's needed.

The upgraded styling certainly has greater appeal than the previous generation, and a few extra luxuries in the Ti-L trim are sure to grab the attention and delight a number of buyers.