Nearly two million Nissan Pathfinder sport utility vehicles have sold since the rugged, mid-sized automobile debut 35 years ago.
For 2022, the Pathfinder is powered by a 3.5-liter V-6 engine with 284 horsepower and a nine-speed automatic transmission. It also features a best-in-class 6,000-pound maximum towing capacity with Trailer Sway standard.
The new Pathfinder has a “boxed out” rear lift gate. It’s an homage to the original Pathfinder and features oversized satin chrome PATHFINDER lettering. There are now 14 available color combinations.
Nissan Pathfinder: 2 million sales, 35 years
All-wheel-drive models come with Nissan’s “Intelligent 4WD.” It features a seven-position drive and terrain mode selector with Standard, Sport, Eco, Snow, Sand, Mud/Rut, and Tow modes that adjust throttle mapping and transmission shift points.
Power is transferred to the rear differential through a direct coupling, which allows for immediate torque transfer in low-traction situations. The SUV doesn’t need to wait for wheel spin to engage the rear-drive unit.
An available 9.0-inch color touchscreen infotainment system is mounted high on a new and improved instrument panel. For the driver, there’s both an available 12.3-inch digital dashboard and a 10.8-inch head-up display. Also available is wireless Apple CarPlay (wireless Android Auto is pending), a Bose premium audio system and Nissan’s Intelligent Around View Monitor.
ProPilot Assist is available for the first time on Pathfinder SV and SL grades. The platinum grade gets ProPilot Assist with Navi-link. All 2022 Nissan Pathfinder models get come equipped with Nissan Safety Shield 360, which includes automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, high-beam assist and rear automatic braking.
New Pathfinder customers can choose from cloth, leather, or premium semi-aniline leather-appointed seats in a wide range of colors. There are seven new interior “environments,” some featuring unique ambient lighting and brushed bronze accents.
Seating flexibility has also been improved, with standard three-row, eight-passenger seating. Second-passenger seating with second-row bucket seats are available for the first time.
Nissan designed the 2022 Pathfinder’s cargo area to accommodate a 120-quart cooler or four golf bags behind the third row. With the second and third rows folded, a full 4×8-foot sheet of plywood will fit flat.
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Article Last Updated: April 15, 2021.
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A sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car review column The Weekly Driver since 2004.
In addition to founding this site in 2004, James writes a Sunday automotive column for The San Jose Mercury and East Bay Times in Walnut Creek, Calif., and monthly auto review and wellness columns for Gulfshore Business, a magazine in Southwest Florida.
An author and contributor to many newspapers, magazines and online publications, co-hosted The Weekly Driver Podcast from 2017 to 2024.
