The Pathfinder is made in a quintet of trim levels: S, SV, SL, Rock Creek, and Platinum. The Rock Creek has a standard pair of captain’s chairs in the second row, limiting seating to seven passengers. The other trims can fit eight with their second-row bench – although the SV, SL, and Platinum are eligible for the captain’s chairs as an option.
A 3.5-liter V6 engine provides 284 hp and 259 lb.-ft. of torque in all trims save for the Rock Creek, where it’s tuned to boost output to 295 hp and 270 lb.-ft. of torque. A nine-speed automatic transmission completes the powertrain. Front-wheel drive is standard on all but the 4WD-only Rock Creek; all of the other trims are eligible for 4WD. The base S can tow as much as 3,500 pounds, whereas the remaining trims can handle up to 6,000 lb.
The base Pathfinder is definitely not bare-bones, as it gets Nissan Intelligent Key (proximity entry), three zones of automatic climate control, automatic LED headlights, push-button ignition, a 12-volt power outlet, four USB ports (two USB-A and two USB-C), and a third-row bench seat that splits 60/40 and folds flat. Rear privacy glass and a hidden underfloor storage compartment in the cargo area will help keep items secure.
Nissan has long prioritized driver-assist technology, and the Pathfinder has plenty of it. The S gets a basic yet comprehensive array consisting of automatic high beams, rear parking sensors, intelligent forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, reverse automatic braking, and intelligent driver alertness.
The SV ramps up the driving experience with remote start, heated front seats, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. A second 12V outlet is added, as are NissanConnect remote vehicle services, a Wi-Fi hotspot, rooftop rails, heated side mirrors with built-in turn-signal indicators, and illuminated vanity mirrors. The Safety Shield suite is augmented with ProPilot Assist adaptive cruise control, intelligent lane intervention, and intelligent blind-spot intervention.
First- and second-row leather upholstery makes the SL trim more elegant, along with a heated steering wheel, a wireless phone charger, a power liftgate, and a power-adjustable front passenger’s seat. Its other improvements are rear sunshades, an auto-dimming rearview mirror with HomeLink, and an additional USB-A port. Nissan’s intelligent around-view monitor joins the SL’s safety tech, along with front parking sensors, traffic sign recognition, and ProPilot Assist with Navi-link, an enhanced version of ProPilot Assist with mapping technologies with the ability to warn the driver of incidents on the road ahead. In infotainment upgrades, the touchscreen is increased to 9 inches and Apple CarPlay integration becomes wireless. Navigation is also added along with SiriusXM Traffic and Travel Link.
The debuting Rock Creek trim combines upscale features (the power liftgate and the heated steering wheel) with trail-readiness, as it gets an off-road suspension, LED fog lights, a tubular roof rack, a tow hitch receiver with a 7-pin wiring harness, and all-terrain tires. A specialized intelligent around-view monitor with off-road mode is included to help with navigating the trails. Instead of leather it gets durable, easy-care simulated leather with orange stitching, and the second-row bench becomes a pair of captain’s chairs.
The Platinum is most similar to the SL, but with the addition of a tow hitch receiver, a Bose sound system (13 speakers), a head-up display, a digital gauge cluster, a panoramic moonroof, a hands-free liftgate, rain-sensing windshield wipers, position memory settings (for the side mirrors, driver’s seat, and steering column), a power tilt-and-telescopic steering column, power-folding side mirrors with reverse gear tilt-down, interior accent lighting, a 120V power outlet, a total of four USB-A ports, and stainless-steel kick plates. The seats are upholstered with semi-aniline leather; they’re heated/ventilated in the first row and heated in the second row.
