- Major redesign includes bold new front end with signature boomerang-shaped headlights with LED Daytime Running Lights and available LED headlights
- New 3.5-litre petrol V6 engine adds direct injection system, increased power
- Enhanced user friendliness features include Motion-Activated tailgate
- New advanced driver assistance technology includes Forward Emergency Braking, Intelligent Cruise Control and Around View® Monitor with Moving Object Detection
- On sale in Australia in the first half of 2017
MELBOURNE, Australia – Pathfinder, one of Nissan's best known and most popular SUV models, is reborn for the 2017 model year with more adventure capability, a freshened exterior look and enhanced safety and technology – pure Pathfinder taken to a higher level of performance and style.
"The Nissan Pathfinder has an amazing heritage as one of the modern pioneers in the SUV segment, with more than 30 years in the marketplace, yet we are always looking forward – as the Pathfinder name implies," said Michael Bunce, vice president, Product Planning, Nissan North America, Inc. "For 2017, Pathfinder receives much more than your typical facelift. It now offers more power, improved driving dynamics and new available driver assistance features – more of what you need for safe, comfortable every day and weekend family adventures."
The seven-passenger 2017 Pathfinder is offered in 2-wheel drive and 4-wheel drive configurations and a choice of three well-equipped grade levels.
A Powerful New Look
When the fourth-generation Pathfinder was introduced for the 2013 model year, its design represented a major step forward in refined styling and aerodynamic emphasis. For 2017, the refreshed exterior goes even further, adding a stronger sense of adventure, character and presence and continued fine-tuning of aero efficiency.
The updated appearance incorporates the latest Nissan signature design elements introduced on the award-winning Maxima sport sedan and Murano crossover – including the new "V-Motion" grille and boomerang-shaped headlights with LED daytime running lights.
Other exterior enhancements include a new, more aggressive bonnet, front bumper and fog lights.
The outside rearview mirrors now include standard integrated turn signals. In the rear, changes include new taillights and a stronger bumper design.
In addition, aerodynamic optimisation efforts include a new grille design, which enhances cooling performance and negates the need for an active grille shutter, and a new front chin spoiler design that has been moved forward and directs air downward – without compromising the approach angle for off-road driving. These changes help optimise air flow around and below the exterior, with the coefficient of drag reduced to 0.326 (from the previous 0.34).
Another significant addition for 2017 is the available Motion-Activated tailgate with tailgate position memory. A simple wave of the foot under the centre of the tailgate activates the power opening function.
Other exterior details include recessed front windshield wipers, roof rails, chrome door handles and privacy glass. It includes a sliding opening front panel and fixed rear glass panel, which extends over the 2nd and 3rd rows.
Also added for 2017 are 18-inch and 20-inch machined aluminum-alloy wheel designs, grade-dependent.
"More than just a more powerful appearance, the 2017 Pathfinder offers more functionality – from the convenience of the Motion-Activated liftgate to user-friendly interior upgrades," added Bunce.
A Roomy, Refined Interior
The enhancements to the Pathfinder interior for 2017 focus on convenience and connectivity. For example, the cupholders have been reshaped to accommodate mug handles and an illuminated front storage bin. There are now two USB ports inside the console versus the previous single port.
The biggest change, however, is the adoption of new-generation information technology. The standard Advanced Drive-Assist? Display (ADAD), located in the centre of the instrument display between the tachometer and speedometer, features additional infotainment and driver assistance displays (compared to the 2016 Pathfinder design). Voice recognition has been enhanced with a new HD microphone.
The standard 8.0-inch touch-screen monitor, mounted in the middle of the instrument panel, provides intuitive interaction and control of a variety of driver-selectable vehicle systems and settings – including the introduction of NissanConnectTM smartphone connectivity. In addition, Voice Recognition for Bluetooth® hands-free phone and navigation system is added.
As in previous years, the 2017 Pathfinder's 3-row/7-passenger interior combines comfortable seating with the cargo capacity that families need every day. It offers the benefits of a mid-size crossover with the comfort of a larger SUV, including a flat floor for enhanced interior packaging flexibility and ample space.
Every 2017 Pathfinder interior is anchored by Nissan's innovative EZ Flex Seating System™ with LATCH AND GLIDE™, a 2nd row tilt and glide seat that allows easy 3rd row access with a child safety seat remaining securely in place.
A wide range of seating and cargo carrying combinations are available with the 2nd row 60/40-split seat with manual slide/recline/fold flat and 3rd row 50/50-split seat with manual recline/flat fold. New cloth seat fabric has been added along with new interior finishers.
Pathfinder also offers the Around View® Monitor (AVM) with Moving Object Detection (MOD), added for 2017. Other available technology includes Tri-Zone Automatic Climate Control, Bluetooth® Hands-free Phone System and iPod® integration. The tri-zone Family Entertainment system includes 2nd row head restraint-mounted DVD display screens. The rear displays are now 8-inch QHD designs (versus the previous 7-inch WVGA) and include auto brightness control and USB and HDMI rear source inputs. The rear display can be easily controlled from the front with a more user-friendly display.
The Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), available with individual tyre pressure display, comes with standard Easy-Fill Tire Alert that provides both visual and audible signals to help owners conveniently maintain correct tire pressures without the use of a gauge.
Revised 3.5-litre V6 Engine
In a major step up of its already highly capable adventure credentials, Pathfinder's new 3.5-litre V6 engine features more power and torque. It utilises more than 50 percent new or new-to-Pathfinder engine parts and components – including combustion chamber design, pistons, intake manifold and e-VTC (fully electronic on intake). The compression ratio has also been raised to 11.0:1 (from the previous 10.3:1).
The engine's new Direct Injection Gasoline™ (DIG) system provides better wide-open throttle performance and improved fuel economy and emissions performance (versus a non-direct-injection system). The switch to mirror bore cylinder coating reduces engine weight by just over one kilogram and reduces friction between the piston ring and the cylinder wall. The technology eliminates the need for a heavy cast iron cylinder liner.
All 2017 Pathfinder models are equipped with Nissan's third-generation Xtronic transmission. The Xtronic transmission includes D-Step Logic Control, which simulates shifts, giving a more natural acceleration feeling.
The new Pathfinder powertrain helps provide real world driving benefits of more responsive acceleration and re-acceleration, such as when entering highways or passing.
As in previous years, Pathfinder also features selectable 2WD, Auto or 4WD Lock modes from the available intuitive ALL-MODE 4x4-i system. With the available intuitive four-wheel drive, Pathfinder continues to serve as an excellent vehicle for inclement weather driving conditions.
Pathfinder is available with the selectable 2WD, Auto or 4WD Lock modes for its available intuitive ALL-MODE 4x4-i system. The system lets the driver choose full-time 2WD for maximum fuel economy, Auto mode to automatically monitor conditions and adjust the balance of power between front and rear wheels for best traction, or 4WD Lock mode when full-time 4WD is desired.
In addition, standard Hill Start Assist helps prevent loss of control when starting and driving away on a steep incline (both 4WD and 2WD models), while standard Hill Descent Control (4WD only) helps by adjusting speed and brake pressure when traveling slowly down steep, rough terrain grades.
Pathfinder's extensively retuned 4-wheel independent suspension (versus the 2016 Pathfinder) also contributes to the enhanced driving dynamics, offering improved body control and a more refined ride. Among the revised or retuned suspension components are 11 percent stiffer front shock absorbers and seven percent stiffer rear shocks. Rebound springs have been added to the front struts to help assist with roll balance and body control. The spring rates of the rear rebound springs have also been increased by 25 percent.
"Fine tuning of the spring rates and the addition of front strut rebound springs has allowed better control of typical body motions such as roll and pitch and bounce. The result is the Pathfinder remains flatter while cornering and road vibrations are well controlled, especially on rough roads and during off-road driving," said Bunce.
In addition, a revised hydraulic electric steering system provides an improved cornering feel (versus the 2016 Pathfinder). The steering ratio is 11 percent quicker, due to a revised valve design, for less steering angle input – enhancing maneuverability.
The 2017 Pathfinder's advanced driver assistance technology includes new Forward Emergency Braking (FEB) and Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC). For 2017, Moving Object Detection (MOD) has been added to the available Around View® Monitor (AVM). Also available are Blind Spot Warning (BSW) and Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA).
Standard safety and security features include Nissan Advanced Air Bag System (includes dual-stage front supplemental air bags with seat belt sensors and an occupant classification sensor), 3-point seat belts with pretensioners and load limiters, supplemental front seat-mounted side-impact air bags, roof-mounted supplemental curtain air bags for side impact and rollover head protection for outboard passengers in all three rows (includes rollover sensor), 3-point seat belts for rear seat occupants, including 2nd row centre position, child restraint anchorage points (RH/LH ISOFIX and tether, centre tether), child safety rear door locks, Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) and Traction Control System (TCS).
The 2017 Nissan Pathfinder is currently scheduled to arrive in Australia in the first half of next year. Australian prices, specifications and equipment will be announced closer to its time of local release.
About Nissan Motor Co.
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Japan's second-largest automotive company, is headquartered in Yokohama, Japan, and is part of the Renault-Nissan Alliance. Operating with more than 244,500 employees globally, Nissan sold 5.32 million vehicles and generated revenue of 11.38 trillion yen (USD 103.6 billion) in fiscal 2014. Nissan delivers a comprehensive range of more than 60 models under the Nissan, Infiniti and Datsun brands. Nissan leads the world in zero-emission mobility, dominated by sales of the LEAF, the first mass-market, pure-electric vehicle. It is the best-selling EV in history with almost 50% share of the zero-emission vehicle segment.
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