After a lengthy almost-18 month delay between models, the 2023 Nissan Pathfinder has finally launched in Australia. Nissan has given the new Pathfinder a fresh new look, a lot more available technology and even a new nine-speed automatic transmission – the former CVT auto has been shelved – in its bid to rival cars such as the Toyota Kluger, Mazda CX-9 and Hyundai Palisade. The new Pathfinder is part of Nissan’s effort to revitalise almost all of its models within a six-month period, and joins both the X-Trail and Qashqai in landing locally before the end of 2022.
“The new Pathfinder is both rugged and refined, capable and comfortable, and distills everything Nissan has learned over the model’s proud 30-year history in Australia into one adventure-ready and family-friendly package,” says Adam Paterson, Managing Director, Nissan Australia.
“More than 77,000 examples of the Pathfinder have been sold in Australia throughout its history, unlocking countless adventures for Australian families. And that’s a legacy this new model proudly continues.”
Stylistically, the 2023 Nissan Pathfinder is fresh and much more modern than the car it replaces – the angular headlights and rear badging are particular highlights. Dimensionally, it measures 1,978mm (+15mm) in width, 1,798mm (+5mm) in height and 5,004mm (-38mm) in length, and with a wheelbase that measures 2,900mm. Bootspace is a claimed 205-litres behind the third row, 554L with the third row folded and 782L with both the third and second row folded (though likely to only the window line).
Under the bonnet of the 2023 Nissan Pathfinder is the same 3.5-litre petrol V6 engine as the previous shape, which makes 202kW of power (at 6,400rpm) and 340Nm of torque (at 4,800rpm). It’s mated to a new nine-speed automatic transmission – no more CVT – across all grades, while either front- (ST and Ti) or all-wheel drive (ST-L, Ti and Ti-L) drivetrains are available.
The fuel consumption for the Pathfinder is rated from 10L/100km on a combined cycle for the front-wheel drive models, and 10.5L/100km for all-wheel drive models. It has a 71-litre fuel tank and CO2 emissions range from 234g/km to 245g/km.
Standard features on the entry-level Pathfinder ST (priced from $54,190 plus on-road costs) include 18-inch alloy wheels, automatic LED lighting, a urethane steering wheel, eight seats, tri-zone climate control, a 9.0-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, digital radio, satellite navigation, an eight-way electric driver’s seat with lumbar adjustment, heated front seats, keyless entry and start, heated and auto-folding mirrors, Nissan’s ‘E-Z Flex’ middle row sliding system, four USB ports and two 12V sockets.
Safety equipment includes nine airbags, auto emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian, cyclist and intersection assistance, reverse auto braking, blind-spot monitoring with rear-cross traffic alert, lane keep assist with lane departure warning, adaptive traffic sign recognition, adaptive cruise control with stop and go functionality, driver attention monitoring, rear occupant alert, an alarm, a 10.8-inch heads-up display, auto high beam, a reversing camera and rear parking sensors. It recently received a five-star ANCAP safety rating as well.
The next step up Pathfinder ST-L (from $61,790 – all-wheel drive only) adds roof rails, LED front fog lights, a leather steering wheel, remote start, front parking sensors, rear privacy glass, mud and sand driving modes, hill descent control, a 360-degree parking camera, lane trace assist and a power tailgate.
The Pathfinder Ti (from $65,910 plus on-road costs – all-wheel drive is $70,030 +ORC) adds different 18-inch alloy wheels, leather upholstery with heated second row outboard seats, a wireless phone charger, a 13-speaker Bose sound system, an extra USB charging port in the third row and inbuilt rear door shades.
The top-spec Pathfinder Ti-L (from $80,227 plus on-road costs) then adds 20-inch alloy wheels, quilted leather upholstery, a panoramic sunroof, automatic wipers, a 12-way electrically adjustable driver’s seat, a four-way electrically adjustable front passenger seat, driver’s memory functionality for the seat, mirrors and electrically adjustable steering column, ventilated front seats, a digital rear mirror, second row captain’s chairs (for seven seats in total), a 12.3-inch digital driver’s display and ambient lighting.
Premium paint options cost an extra $750, while the two-tone options available on the Ti and Ti-L cost $1,400.
2023 Nissan Pathfinder pricing (plus on-road costs):
- ST 2WD: $54,190
- ST-L AWD: $61,790
- Ti 2WD: $65,910
- Ti AWD: $70,030
- Ti-L AWD: $80,227
The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder is now on sale in Australia with local deliveries starting soon. Stay tuned to DiscoverAuto for the latest automotive news and reviews.