Nissan’s big SUV finally returns with the 2023 Pathfinder. There are some carryover elements to be aware of, but the offering is spacious, comfortable and practical.
2023 Nissan Pathfinder Ti
The Nissan Pathfinder has been a long-term player in the large SUV stakes, but was in dire need of replacement in recent years. Development seemed to lag, as the previous-generation model petered away to a stop before this new model arrived.
But now it’s here, and Nissan once again has a fresh-faced competitor against the likes of a Toyota Kluger, Kia Sorento, Hyundai Palisade and Mazda CX-9.
This new-generation model uses the same platform as the previous generation with the same 2900mm wheelbase. It’s slightly shorter nose-to-tail, but is taller, wider, and is noticeably more squared-off overall.
And it continues to trade in its old strength of bulk space. There’s room for up to eight inside and 20 cup/drink holders. Seriously.
How much does the Nissan Pathfinder cost in Australia?
Ti specification is the entry-level Pathfinder in the recently reduced two-model range priced from $70,030 with all-wheel drive and before you include on-road costs. Above this sits the is all-wheel-drive Pathfinder Ti-L ($80,227 plus on-road costs), while the lower-cost Ti 2WD ($65,910), ST-L AWD ($61,790), and ST 2WD ($54,190) models have been scrapped.
Some important specifications for this model include: 360-degree camera, front and rear parking sensors, built-in second-row sunshades, powered tailgate, leather-accented seating trim, heated front and second row outboard seats, and a 13-speaker Bose sound system.
A 9.0-inch infotainment display and 10.8-inch head-up display are standard across the range, but buyers will need to step up to the more expensive Ti-L if they want the upgraded 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. Same for rain-sensing wipers, which seems odd at this price.
Top-spec Ti-L is the only model to also get a removable centre console in the second row, which makes for a seven-seat capacity overall (2+2+3). All other models can squeeze in eight in total (2+3+3).
| Key details | 2023 Nissan Pathfinder Ti |
| Price | $70,030 plus on-road costs |
| Colour of test car | Deep Ocean Blue Pearl |
| Options | Pearlescent paint – $750 |
| Price as tested | $70,780 plus on-road costs |
| Drive-away price | $78,456 (Sydney) |
| Rivals | Kia Sorento | Hyundai Palisade | Toyota Kluger |
How much space does the Nissan Pathfinder have inside?
The overall size of the Pathfinder is its biggest strength in a segment where such things really matter. But beyond that, the interior has some thoughtful and practical inclusions that help with everyday usage.
While it’s slightly shorter overall and uses the same 2900mm wheelbase, the Pathfinder still feels huge on the inside. It’s a proper three-row experience as well, offering good levels of space to fit seven adults with a modicum of comfort.
In this sense, the Pathfinder lines up more against a Hyundai Palisade or (dare I say it) Kia Carnival. The purpose-built people mover is still the undisputed champion of people moving, but SUVs happen to be the apple of the Australian buyer’s eye. For better or for worse.
When viewed through that lens, this Pathfinder is one of the biggest and most spacious of the mainstream offerings. And it’s done with some smart attention to detail and helpful features.
Up front, the layout of things like air-conditioning and infotainment is all very traditional and easy to use, with buttons and dials aplenty to twist and prod. The centre console is huge, and there’s additional bulk storage underneath the gearshifter (for things like handbags, bum bags, or lunch bags, perhaps). Smaller stuff can go onto the rubberised shelf in front of the passenger, or in the big space that also has the wireless charging pad.
In the second row, the first thing you’ll notice is the amount of legroom on offer. It reminded me of an early 1990s Range Rover LSE with a near walkway in the footwell. It sounds excessive perhaps, but it’s important for a couple of reasons. Firstly, you can slide the second row forward significantly to free up room in the back. And secondly, the amount of space lets you walk in and scooch across for doing up kids’ seatbelts when there is a busy road on the other side.
The seating position is slightly raised in the back here, which affords good visibility and a sense of inclusion. I like the twin cupholders on each back door, plus room for storage bottles and things lower in the door cards. There are air vents in the roof (and controls on the back of the console) plus a pop-down armrest with cupholders in the middle.
Getting into the third row, sometimes a tight and inelegant affair, is good in this Pathfinder. Nissan’s ‘EZ-Flex’ system takes one press of a button, and slides the second-row seat while simultaneously tilting the entire base forward and out of the way. It allows for plenty of room to get into the third row, but there’s another important detail here: pulling the seat back and down puts it into a preordained position that is slightly forward, allowing for legroom in both second and third rows. It’s a small detail, but a welcome one for those who plan to regularly use the full complement of seats.
And along with decent levels of space, comfort and visibility in the rearmost seats, you’ve got even more cupholders (four), a USB power outlet and roof-mounted air vents.
The boot measures in at 205L with the third row of seats up, which is decent by any measure. There’s enough room for a big family grocery shop, and lifting the false floor shows even more room for storing stuff. Folding the third row opens up 554L of space and allows for trouble-free loading of luggage, kids’ bikes, and anything bigger or bulkier.
The flipside here is that there’s no full-size spare wheel in the Pathfinder. Instead, you’re stuck with a space-saver that is underslung at the back of the car.
| 2023 Nissan Pathfinder Ti | |
| Seats | Eight |
| Boot volume | 205L to third row 554L to second row 782L to first row at window line |
| Length | 5004mm |
| Width | 1978mm |
| Height | 1802mm |
| Wheelbase | 2900mm |
Does the Nissan Pathfinder have Apple CarPlay?
A new 9.0-inch infotainment display is standard across the Pathfinder range, which includes native navigation, Apple CarPlay (wireless), Android Auto (wired) and digital radio. It’s a good system that is simple to use, with volume knobs and navigation buttons making life easy. There’s also a good head-up display for your live speed and traffic sign recognition, which can help reduce your chance of accidentally speeding (and getting a note in the mail about it).
There’s a USB-A and USB-C power outlet up front, along with a single 12V plug. The only thing that the more expensive Ti-L has going for it over this spec is a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster instead of the blended analogue and 7.0-inch digital set-up that we have here (which works fine, by the way).
Is the Nissan Pathfinder a safe car?
This new model – despite sharing underpinnings with the previous generation – has scored well in recent ANCAP safety testing. It scored five stars in 2022 with an 86 per cent score for adult occupants. Child occupants get a higher 93 per cent score, while vulnerable road users (pedestrians) get 78 per cent. The Pathfinder’s safety assist systems score 85 per cent.
| 2023 Nissan Pathfinder Ti | |
| ANCAP rating | Five stars (tested 2022) |
| Safety report | Link to ANCAP report |
What safety technology does the Nissan Pathfinder have?
Key in getting a good ANCAP safety rating is a new raft of safety systems for the Nissan Pathfinder. Airbags are numbered at nine in total, including side curtain airbags (for all rows) and a front-centre airbag to reduce the risk of head clashes between front seat occupants in a side collision.
Other technology includes autonomous emergency braking (with junction assist and pedestrian/cyclist detection), low-speed rear autonomous braking, rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot monitoring, blind-spot intervention, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assistance, and adaptive cruise control that can work in conjunction with the traffic-sign recognition.
Tyre pressure monitoring is another helpful addition, while the 360-degree camera is especially helpful in driveways and tight places.
How much does the Nissan Pathfinder cost to maintain?
Nissan offers a capped-price servicing program for the Pathfinder, which amounts to $1433 for three years (averaged out at $477 per year) or $2581 over five years ($516.20 per year, on average). This isn’t the cheapest in the segment, but it’s also not the most expensive.
It pays to keep in mind that if you keep your car beyond its warranty term (or cover big annual distances), the sixth service in Nissan’s capped-price schedule is a big one at an eye-watering $1625 by itself.
Insuring a Pathfinder of this specification is $2176 based on a comparative quote for a 35-year-old male driver living in Chatswood, NSW. Insurance estimates may vary based on your location, driving history, and personal circumstances.
| At a glance | 2023 Nissan Pathfinder Ti |
| Warranty | Five years, unlimited km |
| Service intervals | 12 months or 15,000km |
| Servicing costs | $1433 (3 years) $2581 (5 years) |
Is the Nissan Pathfinder fuel-efficient?
When compared to the hybrid and diesel-powered variants offered among the competition, this Pathfinder doesn’t stack up so well. A larger petrol engine pushing a big SUV isn’t a great recipe to start with at the end of the day.
We logged 10.5 litres per 100 kilometres during our approximately 1200km of driving in the Pathfinder. Not a bad number, right? And it matches the manufacturer’s claim.
The kicker here is that we did a lot of highway driving in the Pathfinder during our time with it. There was time doing the daycare drop-offs and pick-ups, and general running around town that comes with everyday life. But in terms of kilometres covered, the majority was at a highway cruise.
And considering Nissan claims 8.1L/100km on the highway cycle, I would assume that a more balanced real-world consumption figure would be around 13L/100km.
The claimed figure for urban usage is 14.7L/100km, so if you’re destined to never leave built-up areas, don’t expect low running costs.
The Toyota Kluger is the most popular of the hybrid large SUVs, but is now joined by hybrid versions of the Kia Sorento and Hyundai Santa Fe. Hyundai and Kia also offer a relatively frugal turbo diesel power plant, which will better the Pathfinder for running costs at the bowser.
Fuel Consumption – brought to you by bp
| Fuel Usage | Fuel Stats |
| Fuel cons. (claimed) | 10.5L/100km |
| Fuel cons. (on test) | 10.5L/100km |
| Fuel type | 91-octane unleaded |
| Fuel tank size | 71L |
What is the Nissan Pathfinder like to drive?
You can have a Nissan Pathfinder with any engine you want, as long as it’s a 3.5-litre petrol V6. And while it’s not the last word in efficiency, this carryover motor is good in terms of responsiveness and performance.
It’s surprising to read that Nissan’s ‘VQ’ series of engines runs as far back as 1994, where it debuted as a 2.0-litre V6. It went through generational changes over the years, however, using different injection systems and camshaft technologies.
It’s a smooth and powerful operator, which is made even better by introducing a nine-speed automatic torque converter transmission.
I can remember driving the old Pathfinder; you could feel the revving lustiness of the V6 being dulled by the old continuously variable transmission (CVT). This nine-speed automatic gearbox, which is sourced from the automatic transmission masters at ZF, is a significantly better experience overall in comparison to the old CVT. It feels more direct, much more responsive, and plenty refined enough for the application.
It adds up to a driving experience that is comfortable and easy. Once you’ve got your head around the size of the vehicle (especially around town), the Pathfinder doesn’t throw up any odd or annoying curveballs.
The ride quality of the Pathfinder is noticeably soft overall owing to the North American aim of the Pathfinder. It’s a good thing most of the time as well. It happily absorbs rough surfaces and bumps without much transferring into the cabin. However, it can start to feel a little bit wobbly at times if the weight starts to tip around too much. It’s not as tied down and controlled as other large SUVs.
| Key details | 2023 Nissan Pathfinder Ti |
| Engine | 3.5-litre V6 petrol |
| Power | 202kW @ 6400rpm |
| Torque | 340Nm @ 4800rpm |
| Drive type | All-wheel drive |
| Transmission | Nine-speed torque converter automatic |
| Power to weight ratio | 99kW/t |
| Weight (kerb) | 2044kg |
| Spare tyre type | Space-saver (underslung) |
| Tow rating | 2700kg braked 750kg unbraked |
| Turning circle | 11.8m |
Should I buy a Nissan Pathfinder?
If you value space and practicality above all else (but won’t be seen dead in a people mover), then the Pathfinder is worth a look.
It’s got more outright space than something like a Toyota Kluger or Kia Sorento, which pays big dividends in the second and third rows. The interior is smartly designed, and all of the right boxes of technology and safety are ticked. Although, lacking rain-sensing wipers seems like a strange omission.
It has to be said, though, that the efficiency (or lack thereof) of the petrol engine in this Pathfinder is the toughest point to argue past.
The main competitor for the Pathfinder would be the Hyundai Palisade, which offers a similar amount of size in a large SUV format, but has the advantage of a more efficient turbo diesel powertrain option in the mix.
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