The new Nissan Pathfinder has arrived and boasts class-leading turbodiesel torque from its enhanced 2.5-litre engine, lifting it above its immediate competitors in the medium SUV segment.

With improved equipment levels across the three model grades, a revised interior and freshened exterior styling, the adventure-friendly, seven-seat new Nissan Pathfinder will be more popular than ever.

Beefier turbo-diesel torques up towing

The headline news is the update to the already well-liked YD25 turbo-diesel powerplant. The 2.5-litre capacity is unchanged, but peak power output rises to 140kW, up 14kW or 11 per cent in the new YDK3 engine and maximum torque muscles its way to 450Nm, a 12 percent improvement (up from 403Nm).

This engine will be available across the three model grade Nissan Pathfinder range, in ST, ST-L and Ti guises, and it out-muscles most of Pathfinder’s traditional rivals.

The new Nissan Pathfinder turbo-diesel engine not only boosts increased output, making it all the more enjoyable to drive off-road, it can tow loads of up to 3,000kg effortlessly (trailer with brakes). Furthermore, fuel consumption and emission levels have declined, while overall refinement improves.

Fuel consumption has improved as well, with the manual transmission model achieving a creditable 8.5-litres/100km combined (a 15 percent improvement over the former YD25 engine), while the automatic transmission achieves 9.0-l/100km combined.

Overwhelming demand for diesel power by Pathfinder buyers sealed the fate of the previous petrol powerplant for the Pathfinder range.

The revised Nissan Pathfinder has a new face thanks to a revised bonnet, grille and a new bumper assembly. Adding 80mm to Pathfinder’s length, the bumper is more rounded and lends a more sporting and modern touch to the car.

Further enhancements include a new headlight design and Ti models now feature Xenon headlights for improved illumination at night and in poor visibility. The Xenon headlights also boast auto levelling and headlight washers concealed in the bumper moulding.

New Nissan Pathfinder ST-L and Ti models add electric folding door mirrors.

The new Pathfinder also adopts a new bumper design at the rear with squared off edges to give a larger and lower mass for a more stable, tougher appearance.

New interior impresses on sight

Changes to the Nissan Pathfinder’s welcoming cabin boost the impression of quality and include a completely revised central dash cluster. There are also revised door trims, new seat fabric, including leather seat trim for ST-L models and chrome highlights.

Nissan Pathfinder ST-L customers will also enjoy further features previously restricted to the Ti models; electrically adjustable and heated front seats, as well as driver seat and door mirror memory settings.

For Nissan Pathfinder Ti customers, previous wood grain trim is replaced by a more modern and fresh metallic trim, complete with revised dials and all-wheel-drive switchgear controls

User-friendly technology update

Nissan Pathfinder brings many exciting technological enhancements to the range, giving it a competitive edge in the very busy medium SUV segment.

All new Nissan Pathfinder models are equipped with a Bluetooth® handsfree phone system (with compatible phone models), controlled via the touch of a button from the steering wheel Bluetooth® controls.

All models now also include audio controls on the steering wheel (new for ST models) and these are now illuminated for improved visibility and ease of use.

The ST model adds a 6 CD in-dash auto-changer, while all models add an auxiliary MP3 player input jack for plug and play functionality for iPod and iPhone.

For the up-spec ST-L and Ti models, the Nissan Intelligent Key is included, allowing keyless entry for added convenience, while the ST-L model adds the rear parking sensors previously fitted to Ti models.

The top-of-the-range Pathfinder Ti gains a significant technological enhancement, in the form of the latest Nissan IT innovation: a communication and music system featuring a hard drive-based Satellite Navigation system complete with touch screen control, 3D navigation guide and local points of interest information. All these functions are displayed via a large-scale 7-inch colour screen.

This extensively featured entertainment system includes a 9.3GB “Music Box” hard drive, which allows drivers to rip their CD collection straight onto the system’s hard drive. There is an auxiliary MP3 player input jack, as well as full iPod (or USB storage device) connectivity via a USB connection.

When an iPod is connected to the system, it may then be controlled via the colour display and touch screen, allowing easy selection of songs, playlists and artists.

The Ti model’s entertainment system capabilities mean only a single CD slot is required; the player is able to read DVDs, and plays vision through the centrally mounted screen (only when the handbrake is applied for safety reasons).

A further new feature is the fitment of a reversing camera to Ti models as standard. This camera provides Predictive Path Technology to aid reversing.

The popular rear seat DVD entertainment unit continues as part of the Ti model specification.

Safety first

The Nissan Pathfinder is already well specified in terms of safety equipment, including standard Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) and front and side airbags, but the new Pathfinder upgrades build on this in a meaningful way, adding curtain airbags to the ST-L models.

Specification Changes Summary

The new Nissan Pathfinder ST model adds:

- New diesel engine with improved power, torque, fuel consumption and CO2 emissions
- Significant interior styling upgrade
- Freshened frontal styling and new rear bumper
- Bluetooth® hands free phone system
- Illuminated audio and Bluetooth® steering wheel controls
- Auxiliary MP3 player input
- 6 CD in-dash auto-changer
- Dual zone climate control air-conditioning
- Indicator lights located in door mirrors

The Nissan Pathfinder ST-L models add all the above plus:

- Curtain airbags
- Leather seat trim
- Electrically adjustable front seats
- Heated front seats
- Driver seat and door mirror memory
- Electric folding door mirrors
- Intelligent Key keyless entry
- Reversing sensors

The Nissan Pathfinder Ti model adds all the above plus:

- Satellite Navigation system with colour display and 7-inch touch screen
- 9.3GB Music Box hard drive
- Full iPod connectivity (or USB storage device) via USB connection and touch screen display
- Reversing camera with Predictive Path Technology
- Xenon headlights with washers
- Front DVD player
- Rear seat DVD entertainment unit
- Previously fitted reversing sensors and 6-stacker CD superseded by equipment upgrade.

The new Nissan Pathfinder is further defined by the addition of two new metallic paint colour choices, Sand Storm and Thunder Blue. They join Midnight Black, Arctic White, Silver Lightning, Tuscan, and Blue Velvet. Graphite Grey has been discontinued.

The bottom line

With significantly more power and torque from its new more efficient diesel engine, its fresh face and improved interior styling coupled with valuable and practical additional features, the new Nissan Pathfinder is even more competitive than ever.

Despite the depth of changes and additions, the price of the Pathfinder ST model, in both manual and automatic transmission guise, remains unchanged, starting from $48,490 (plus dealer delivery and statutory charges).

Reflecting a substantial uplift in specification, including the addition of leather upholstery and curtain airbags, the price of the Pathfinder ST-L models rise by $3,500 to start from $56,490, while the range-topping Ti model with its Xenon headlights, satellite navigation, Music Box hard drive, reversing camera and swag of additional technical and luxury features now starts at $65,990, a rise of just $2,750.

New Nissan Pathfinder Pricing (as of June 2010)

- ST Man $48,490
- ST Diesel Auto $51,490
- ST-L Diesel Man $56,490
- ST-L Diesel Auto $59,490
- Ti Diesel Auto $65,990

*Manufacturer’s List Price only. Does not include dealer delivery, statutory charges or metallic paint ($495).

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