Nissan has revealed the facelift for the fifth-generation Pathfinder, although whether it will be sold in Australia is open to question.
Externally the revised Pathfinder is distinguished by updated front and rear bumpers, with the biggest changes taking place at the front. The grille has a new insert pattern and dispenses with the U-shaped chrome frame.
The grille now incorporates three lighting elements that visually extend the inner edge of the headlights downwards. This links the Pathfinder to the lighting signature used on the Ariya and Leaf EVs. The front bumper also has a set of fake vents extending down from the outer edges of the headlights.
At the rear, changes seem limited to a new silver-finished lower bumper section, at least for range-topping variants. The paint palette has grown to include the Baltic Teal colour seen here.
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On the inside, a new 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen sits in the middle of the dashboard, and is standard throughout the range. The faux metal strip separating the air vents from the climate controls is now embossed with the ‘Pathfinder’ word mark.
Wireless Apple CarPlay is now joined by wireless Android Auto, while the wireless smartphone charger has been upgraded to include a cooling fan, and a magnet to keep the phone in the optimal charging position. Its power output has been bumped up from 5W to 15W.
High-spec models with a 360-degree camera system gain a 180-degree wide front view, and an invisible bonnet mode to help drivers position the car better on off-road tracks.
In the US, the top-shelf Platinum trim — similar to our Ti-L spec — gains a new quilted seat pattern, lashings of wood trim, and redesigned 20-inch alloy wheels.
Nothing has changed under the bonnet, though, with the Pathfinder still powered by a naturally-aspirated 3.5-litre V6 making 212kW and 351Nm. A nine-speed automatic transmission is standard, while buyers can choose between front- and all-wheel drive.
There’s no sign of the 185kW 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder that powers the Pathfinder in China. The made-in-China Pathfinder range received a much more substantial facelift in 2023 that completely dispensed with the American model’s butch, off-roader-ish aesthetic.
The updated Pathfinder will make its public debut at the Los Angeles motor show in late November before going on sale Stateside in early 2026.
It’s unknown when or if the facelifted American-made Pathfinder will be available Down Under. When asked, a Nissan spokesperson told CarExpert, “We can’t comment on future product plans”.
To the end of October, just 636 Pathfinders were sold in Australia, an improvement on the 497 shifted in the same period in 2024.
In the large SUV segment under $80,000, the Pathfinder is ranked 20th, well behind the league-leading trio of body-on-frame models: Toyota LandCruiser Prado (23,298), Ford Everest (21,915), and Isuzu MU-X (12,499).
It’s also far adrift of its monocoque competitors, which are led by the Kia Sorento (7588), Subaru Outback (7218), Toyota Kluger (7045), and Hyundai Santa Fe (5370).
