Cars & Autos | Friday 19 May, 2017 12:38 pm |

Nissan has launched today the new 2018 Nissan Pathfinder in the Middle East during an event set against the dramatic backdrop of the majestic Al Hajar Mountains in Fujairah. The Nissan Pathfinder is reborn for the 2018 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 latest iteration of this popular, family-oriented four-wheel drive vehicle draws on Nissan’s vast experience of building vehicles designed to operate in testing off-road conditions while remaining perfectly at home on the highway. As an SUV vehicle, the Pathfinder retains plenty of capability in off-road environments.

 

“Pathfinder has a logical and hugely practical place within the Nissan model line-up in this region,” explained Fadi Ghosn, Chief Marketing Officer of Nissan Middle East. “For 2018, Pathfinder receives much more than a typical facelift. It now offers more power, improved driving dynamics and new available driver assistance features –more of what customers need for safe, comfortable every day and weekend family adventures.”

 

“Most people with a family need to commute to work, drop the kids off at school and generally use their vehicles on paved surfaces. But at weekends it’s great to have the Pathfinder’s capacity to explore further afield, getting to special places that an ordinary family car cannot reach, be that in a desert, beach, wadi or mountain environment.”

 

The refreshed Pathfinder benefits from changes both externally and internally.  The revised 3.5-litre V6 engine has almost 7% more horse power and almost 4% more torque thanks to its new engine. These include new combustion chamber design, pistons, intake manifold, electromagnetic Valve Timing Control and a new Direct Injection Gasoline system.

 

The seven-seat vehicle offers enhanced driving dynamics such as more controlled ride and handling, less vibrations on turns and easier manoeuvring. This is due to many enhancements such as smaller strokes, less under-steer, improved roll balance and improved steering ratio.

 

The 2018 Pathfinder is offered in 2-wheel drive and 4-wheel drive configurations and a choice of three well-equipped grade levels: S, SV and SL).

 

Externally, Pathfinder now aligns more closely with Nissan’s latest design language thanks to signature elements, including the new “V-Motion” grille and striking boomerang-shaped headlights with LED daytime running lights. Other new styling elements include a redesigned front bumper, fog lights, wing mirrors with integrated indicators and new 18-inch and 20-inch aluminium-alloy wheel designs. The rear taillight cluster and rear bumper have also been refreshed. 

 

In terms of practicality, a Motion-Activated liftgate comes as standard on SV and SL grade. On sweeping a foot under the tailgate, it opens automatically and stops at the desired point.

 

Inside, the revamped Pathfinder offers stylish, comfortable seating for seven occupants who benefit from a variety of updated connectivity features. The latest Pathfinder adopts new-generation information technology with an Advanced Drive-Assist Display located in the centre of the instrument binnacle providing supplementary infotainment and driver assistance displays compared to the previous model. 

 

A standard 8.0-inch touch-screen monitor, situated in the middle of the instrument panel controls a wide variety of vehicle systems and settings including navigation and infotainment functions.

 

Options such as Intelligent Emergency Breaking, Intelligent Cruise Control, Blind Spot Warning (BSW), Forward Collision Warning and Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) are available on the SV and SL grades. The Intelligent Around View Monitor with Moving Object Detection is available as an option only on the SL grade.

 

The refreshed Pathfinder will be arriving to showrooms across the region in May. The 2-wheel drive is priced between USD32,450 and USD 44,240, while the 4-wheel drive between USD 34,360 and USD 46,090.

 

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Detailed Specifications

 

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 2018, the refreshed exterior goes even farther, 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. New LED headlights are standard on the Pathfinder SL grade.

 

Other exterior enhancements include a new, more aggressive hood, 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 optimization 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 optimize 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 2018 is the available Motion-Activated liftgate. A simple wave of the foot under the center of the liftgate activates the power opening function. It is standard on SV and SL grade.

 

Other exterior details include recessed front windshield wipers, roof rails and chrome door handles. An available Dual Panorama Moonroof is standard from SV grade. It includes a sliding opening front panel and fixed rear glass panel, which extends over the 2nd and 3rd rows.

 

Also updated in the 2018 model is the design of the allow wheels that are available as 18-inch in S grade and 20-inch in SV and SL grades.

 

Completing the exterior makeover is one new exterior color, which is Caspian Blue. Other available colors are, Silver, Gun Metallic, Magnetic Black, Pearl White.

 

 

A Roomy, Refined Interior

The enhancements to the Pathfinder interior for 2018 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 center of the instrument display between the tachometer and speedometer, features additional infotainment and driver assistance displays (versus the previous Pathfinder design). Voice recognition has been enhanced with a new HD microphone.

 

As in previous years, the 2018 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. Overall interior roominess is 173.8 cubic feet (passenger and cargo areas combined).

 

Every 2018 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 in the 2nd row.

 

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 is added for S grade, and leather-appointed with new wood finish interior on the SV and SL grades.

 

Pathfinder’s quiet, comfortable interior also includes a wide range of available features, including two rows of rich leather-appointed seating surfaces, climate controlled front seats in SL grade, power tilt and telescoping steering wheel, Nissan Intelligent Key® with Push Button Start, multiple user memory settings and an advanced Bose® Audio System with 12 speakers.

 

Pathfinder also offers available class-exclusive*** Intelligent Around View® Monitor (AVM) with Moving Object Detection (MOD). Other available technology includes Tri-Zone Automatic Climate Control, Bluetooth® Hands-free Phone System and iPod® integration. The tri-zone Family Entertainment system includes front seats 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.

 

An available remote engine start**** function allows the climate control system to warm up or cool down the interior prior to driving (standard on SV and SL).

 

The Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), available with individual tire 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-liter V6 Engine

In a major step up of its already highly capable adventure credentials, Pathfinder’s new 3.5- liter V6 engine features more power and torque. It utilizes 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 engine’s new Direct Injection Gasoline™ (DIG) system, which is also utilized on the all-new flagship Nissan Patrol full-size SUV, 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 around three pounds and reduces friction between the piston ring and the cylinder wall. The technology eliminates the need for a heavy cast iron cylinder liner.

 

All 2018 Pathfinder models are equipped with Nissan’s third-generation Xtronic transmission (similar to that utilized in the sporty Nissan Maxima). The Xtronic transmission includes DStep 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 the only vehicle in class***** with selectable 2WD, Auto or 4WD Lock modes for its available intuitive ALL-MODE 4x4-i system. The system lets the driver choose fulltime 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.

 

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, curtain and side airbags 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 center position, LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) – 2nd row outboard seating positions only, child safety rear door locks, Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) and Traction Control System (TCS).