A new Nissan Pathfinder is on the way, and it looks like this one may actually boast real off-road chops again. Nissan will reveal its all-new 2022 Pathfinder this week, with sales likely to start this summer.
The automaker previewed the new Pathfinder in a brief video released online. From it, we can see boxier styling, a broad Pathfinder badge, and plenty of dust. That last thing is important since the current Pathfinder isn’t meant for going all that far off road. Even the Rock Creek Edition is more about off-road style than any serious capability.
Nissan dealers seek an off-roader to sell
Nissan’s dealers have said they’d like an off-roader to sell against popular SUV choices such as the Jeep Wrangler, Toyota 4Runner, and the new Ford Bronco Sport. Just recently it was reported they urged Nissan to make a new version of the Xterra. Whether the new Pathfinder lives up to off-road hopes is unknown, though Nissan need not look too far into its history to find a rugged Pathfinder.
The Pathfinder first went on sale in the late-1980s as a truck-based SUV that did battle with the Jeep Cherokee and Chevrolet S-10 Blazer. A subsequent 1995 restyle gave it softer looks but it was just as off-road-ready. The third-generation model even added V8 power to the mix, but Nissan saw a shift toward more carlike SUVs when the current design debuted all the way back in 2013.