2022 Nissan Pathfinder Road Test and Review

2022 Nissan Pathfinder Dash Front Quarter ・ Photo by Nicole Wakelin

The 2022 Nissan Pathfinder is all-new with updated styling inside and out, seating for up to eight people, seven drive modes, and the latest technology and safety features. Its more rugged design hints at its improved capability. The Pathfinder looks like it should be able to handle off-road driving, and its all-wheel drive system combined with a choice of seven drive modes is ready for everything from snow to mud.

Inside, it’s all about passenger comfort with room for eight, or seven with second-row captain’s chairs – a first for the Pathfinder. There are rich interior trims including quilted leather and metallic accents, and a streamlined dashboard. The driver gets special attention with an available 10.2-inch head-up display and 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. Let’s take a closer look at the all-new 2022 Nissan Pathfinder to see if it’s the right rugged family-hauler for your needs.

Four Trims to Choose From

There’s a choice of four trims, all with either front-wheel or four-wheel drive. The base S starts at $35,310 with standard Nissan Safety Shield 360, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The SV adds ProPilot Assist driver assistance technology and Wi-Fi hotspot connectivity for $38,100 and has an available SV Premium Package. This adds a panoramic moonroof, power liftgate, towing prep package, and second-row captain’s chairs with removable center console for $2,170.

Offering more premium features is the SL with a 9-inch infotainment touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Intelligent Around View monitor with an available SL Premium Package. Priced at $2,900, it adds all the features in the SV Premium Package plus 20-inch alloy wheels, Bose 13-speaker audio, a wireless charging pad, and heated rear seats. At the top is the Platinum for $48,090 with a 12.3-inch digital display, 10.8-inch head-up display, and wireless charging.

Photo by Nicole Wakelin

One Powertrain Option

Power for the 2022 Nissan Pathfinder comes from a 3.5-liter V6 engine with 284 horsepower and 259 lb-ft of torque. This is paired to an all-new 9-speed automatic transmission. It’s a responsive powertrain that easily gets the Pathfinder up to speed. Even merging into highway traffic, the Pathfinder never feels sluggish or slow. It moves when you hit the gas and has plenty of power for passing slower vehicles.

The new transmission adds to the Pathfinder’s performance by providing smooth, well-timed shifts that deliver power at just the right moment. Even under hard acceleration, the transmission is well-composed. You’ll neither hear nor feel the transmission shifting, which adds to the passenger experience by helping the cabin stay quiet. The Pathfinder is a large vehicle, but its responsive powertrain makes it sportier than expected and more enjoyable to drive.

Photo by Nicole Wakelin

Budget-Friendly Fuel Economy

Fuel economy can be a challenge in a large SUV, but the 2022 Nissan Pathfinder posts solid numbers. Equipped with front-wheel drive, it achieves an EPA-estimated 21 mpg in the city, 26 mpg on the highway, and 23 mpg combined. While fuel economy usually drops with four-wheel drive due to the added weight, most all-wheel drive comes out slightly ahead of front-wheel drive models. The S, SV, and SL get an EPA-estimated 21 mpg in the city, 27 mpg on the highway, and 23 mpg combined.

The top Platinum trim comes in with the lowest fuel economy figures. It gets an EPA-estimated 20 mpg in the city, 25 mpg on the highway, and 22 mpg combined. Across the lineup, the 2022 Nissan Pathfinder delivers fuel economy that’s easy on your budget whether you’re tackling the daily commute, hauling the kids around town, or heading out for an epic road trip.

Photo by Nicole Wakelin

A Quiet Ride

The Pathfinder strikes a good balance between being a rugged, capable SUV that can handle off-road driving and a comfortable family-hauler. The suspension system soaks up the bumps, even when you’re driving past the point where the pavement ends, so passengers stay comfortable. In on-road driving, its manners make it ideal for hauling families. The kids will have no problem staying asleep despite any road imperfections. It’s also quiet, so road and wind noise aren’t an issue. Even passing large trucks, sounds outside the Pathfinder are largely kept outside.

Handling is smooth and confident with none of the body roll that often plagues large suvs. Quick maneuvers at highway speeds don’t shake the Pathfinder’s control making driving more relaxing. Steering is responsive but not so sporty that it becomes tiresome over the course of longer road trips.

Photo by Nicole Wakelin

Family-Focused Interior

The Pathfinder is capable and can carry plenty of cargo, but it never forgets people are part of the mix, too. It has seating for eight or, for the first time, seating for seven with optional second-row captain’s chairs. These include a removable center console that pops in and out with just one hand and no tools required. There’s also a tip and slide feature that moves second row seats up and forwar at the touch of a button for easy third-row access.

The interior is upscale with options including semi-aniline quilted leather, ambient lighting, and eye-catching bronze metallic trims. Seats are plush and supportive up front with a comfortable second row. Go with the captain’s chairs if the kids are older or you often ferry adults. Third-row seating accommodates tall folks, but is best for the kids. Overall, the Pathfinder delivers a premium experience for busy families.

Photo by Nicole Wakelin

Cargo and Towing Capabilities

When it’s cargo that’s your priority, the Pathfinder is up for the challenge. There’s 16.6 cubic feet behind the third row with 54 liters of underfloor storage so there’s room for everyone’s stuff even with a full load of people. Cargo capacity expands to 45.0 cubic feet when you fold the third row and 80.5 cubic feet when you fold the second row. It’s an expansive interior that has the flexibility to carry varying combinations of people and cargo depending on your needs of the moment.

If what you want to carry is simply too large to fit inside the Pathfinder, then you can take advantage of its best-in-class tow rating. Properly equipped, it can tow up to 6,000 pounds so you can be sure that whatever your cargo needs, the Pathfinder has you covered. There’s also now standard trailer sway control to help you tow with confidence.

Photo by Nicole Wakelin

Mix of Standard and Available Safety Features

The 2022 Nissan Pathfinder has not yet been crash-tested by either the Insurance Institute for Highways Safety (IIHS) or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). It does, however, have a wide range of standard and available safety features to keep you and your loved ones safe. Standard features include Nissan Safety Shield 360 with automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, high beam assist, and rear automatic braking.

Additional standard features include forward collision warning, driver alertness warning, and rear door alert. Available features include blind spot intervention, lane intervention, and traffic sign recognition. There’s also ProPilot Assist, which is a hands-on driver assist technology that, for the first time, is available on SV and SL trims. The Pathfinder delivers a solid assortment of standard and available safety across the lineup.

Photo by Nicole Wakelin

Infotainment Keeps You Connected

Standard infotainment in the Pathfinder includes an 8-inch touchscreen with NissanConnect, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. It’s easy-to-use and responsive, which reduces driver frustration and potential distraction. There are also two front USB ports, two second-row USB ports, and two available third-row USB ports so the whole family can stay charged and connected.

Optional is a 9-inch touchscreen, that, while a modest size increase, does make it easier to quickly look at the screen and navigate through the menus. Also optional is Wi-Fi hotspot connectivity, wireless smartphone charging, and wireless Apple CarPlay. Note that wireless Android Auto is not available. Rounding out the infotainment upgrades is a premium Bose 13-speaker audio system, navigation, and an around view monitor.

Photo by Nicole Wakelin

Final Thoughts

The 2022 Nissan Pathfinder offers improvements in every area that make it a better family SUV. It starts with available second-row captain’s chairs and quality interior trims that create a welcoming space for passengers. Its quiet interior adds to passenger comfort as does its smooth, composed ride, even over rough surfaces. Standard safety is extensive and the availability of advanced features including ProPilot Assist with navigation make it an SUV you can drive with confidence.

There’s a fully featured infotainment system to keep everyone connected and informed and the driver benefits from new technologies, These include an available 12.3-inch digital display and a 10.8-inch head-up display that give the Pathfinder modern, high-tech appeal. Finally, a range of four available trims and the capability to go off-road make the Pathfinder a practical and versatile choice for active family life.

Photo by Nicole Wakelin