Nissan has announced a tired, old ‘brand new’ Pathfinder, due in Australia this winter (ish) and ambitiously promising to be slightly less of a lemon than the current one, which was first inflicted upon the unsuspecting public back in 2013. I strongly suggest buying something else.

Podcast (audio-only version, for listening in the car, etc.): https://anchor.fm/autoexpert

Save thousands on any new car (Australia-only): https://autoexpert.com.au/contact

AutoExpert discount roadside assistance package:
https://247roadservices.com.au/autoex...

Did you like this report? You can help support the channel, securely via PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr...

To the thousands of masochists who have enjoyed the Pathfinder’s Jatco CVT failing prematurely, dependaby, all these years, you might be disappointed to learn the new model features a new nine-speed conventional epicyclic auto and a 6000lb tow capacity.

That’s … what? … 2.7 tonnes? Admittedly, it will be challenging for Jatco to make the new nine-speed quite as entertaining as the CVT it replaces, in line with market expectations, but I’m sure they’ll manage. They’ve got a real track record in this domain, after all.

One significant ‘surprise and delight’ aspect of the new Pathy is that it - and you - will enjoy the same, tired, old 3.5 atmo petrol V6 that can be carbon dated back to the Jurassic - in automotive years - meaning about 2013.

It’s been eight long years, and you alliance dudes haven’t even been able to develop a modern turbo four that would easily eclipse any contemporary atmo V6 in terms of low- and mid-rpm performance, as well as emissions and fuel economy.

Knee-sun engineers could have just bought a 2.5 turbo four from Mazda and/or the equivalent engines from Subaru and Hyundai-Kia. Just torn them down and copied that (with sufficient hair and makeup revision so as to avoid the hot water of patent infringement). It’s not like they would have to do actual innovation.

"Thirty-five years after the launch of the original model, Pathfinder has returned to its rugged roots, loaded with the benefit of everything learned along the way."

Jared Haslam there. He’s the VP of Product and Services Planning, for Nissan North America.

“Today’s large SUV owners want a vehicle that conveys strength and rugged capability, while using advanced safety and technology features to keep their family safe and comfortable during every-day adventures, and the all-new 2022 Pathfinder is ready to take on those adventures.”

Mr Haslan again.

New Pathy will roll out in the US in the summer of 2021 - which is our winter. Doubtless we’ll get new Pathy soon - but no point counting the remaining sleeps just yet.

The ‘Strayan Pathy - when it lobs - will be made in the US. Again. So that’s awesome. And it features a revolutionary seven-position terrain mode selector Just right for the many and varied operating terrains Pathfinder owners typically negotiate:

Bitumen, dirt, sand, mud, snow, ‘up on blocks in the workshop for months’, and ‘trudging up the consumer law court steps’ - Nissan’s engineers really have thought of everything with this one. (Three modes only for the 2WD models, obviously…) And there’s no diesel, because: USA.

This vehicle is another shining example of Nissan doing the least it could do to keep up with market expectations. A beacon, I’d suggest, and one to watch from the sidelines while you go out and purchase, perhaps, a Santa Fe, Palisade, Sorento, Carnival, Outback, CX-8, CX-9, Kluger or Outlander. If you know what’s good for you.