- Nissan's midsize Pathfinder SUV is shifting from a body-on-frame design to unitized construction for model year 2013.
- The Pathfinder Concept previews the production version that will reach U.S. dealers this fall.
- The 2013 Pathfinder gets a smaller V6 engine and continuously variable automatic transmission.
DETROIT — Nissan's midsize Pathfinder SUV is shifting from a body-on-frame design to unitized construction for model year 2013. And that's not the only major change on the fourth-generation Pathfinder that's due to reach U.S. dealers this fall and is previewed in the Pathfinder Concept that debuts here at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show.
To secure a 25-percent increase in combined city/highway fuel economy, while retaining the vehicle's towing capability, Nissan is reducing the weight of the 2013 Pathfinder and fitting it with a smaller-displacement V6 and a continuously variable automatic transmission.
The current 2012 Pathfinder, which shares its body-on-frame architecture with the much larger Nissan Armada, comes with a standard 4.0-liter V6 and five-speed automatic transmission. The EPA rates that combination at 15 mpg in city driving and 22 mpg on the highway.
The next-gen Pathfinder is likely to borrow heavily from the Murano, which has a 260-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 and a CVT, with EPA city/highway ratings of 18/23 mpg.
Nissan said the smaller V6 in the 2013 Pathfinder "maintains nearly the same horsepower as the previous generation's larger-displacement V6."
The Pathfinder Concept shows off the new exterior design cues that are expected to grace future Nissan trucks, but its interior won't be revealed until either the Chicago or New York auto show.
Nissan said the truck will have three rows of seats, with accommodations for seven passengers.
The automaker said the new Pathfinder will feature an "intuitive four-wheel-drive system," as well as "towing capacity competitive with leaders in the segment." The interior will have "excellent legroom in all three rows and ample cargo room behind the third row."
Inside Line says: Nissan says the 2013 Pathfinder is one of 20 new or redesigned products that it plans to bring to the U.S. market over the next two years.
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carsgalore says:
11:28 AM, 01/17/2012
@kshankar says:
Carsgalore,
I had a 2010 Maxima and did not like the CVT at all. I did not like the constant low speed whine and sluggishness so I had to put it in "sport mode" all the time. Even that got tiring so I sold the car a few months ago. I don't know why Nissan does not use the 7 speed transmissions from Infiniti.
I can totally understand that, I also have an 02 Altima which is the old 5 spd so I always go back to that for my "fix!" LOL As far as the 7 speeds go, that layout is for the RWD vehicles only. If they did the new Pathfinder in that layout then this would be on a rear drive platform and they would be back in the same boat as before. Low MPG's and Low volume sales. they are trying to appeal to a larger audience with this new version. I think they have a winner but I agree that the jury is out on the CVT as far as "sporty" uses go.
carsgalore says:
11:28 AM, 01/17/2012
@kshankar says:
Carsgalore,
I had a 2010 Maxima and did not like the CVT at all. I did not like the constant low speed whine and sluggishness so I had to put it in "sport mode" all the time. Even that got tiring so I sold the car a few months ago. I don't know why Nissan does not use the 7 speed transmissions from Infiniti.
I can totally understand that, I also have an 02 Altima which is the old 5 spd so I always go back to that for my "fix!" LOL As far as the 7 speeds go, that layout is for the RWD vehicles only. If they did the new Pathfinder in that layout then this would be on a rear drive platform and they would be back in the same boat as before. Low MPG's and Low volume sales. they are trying to appeal to a larger audience with this new version. I think they have a winner but I agree that the jury is out on the CVT as far as "sporty" uses go.
hotrodw says:
03:18 PM, 01/09/2012
"I don't know why Nissan does not use the 7 speed transmissions from Infiniti."
Sadly, Infiniti's 7-speed is designed for RWD applications.
kshankar says:
02:02 PM, 01/09/2012
Carsgalore,
I had a 2010 Maxima and did not like the CVT at all. I did not like the constant low speed whine and sluggishness so I had to put it in "sport mode" all the time. Even that got tiring so I sold the car a few months ago. I don't know why Nissan does not use the 7 speed transmissions from Infiniti.
carsgalore says:
12:35 PM, 01/09/2012
@hotrodw says:
urbansophistic says:
"What's the point of the Murano if the Pathfinder is so similarly styled, but with better interior space and more seats? Plus it's a more serious off-roader, if need be."
Because there is still a substantial size difference, and some of us have zero use for three rows of seats. It's already been proven that there is clearly a market for both two- and three-row mid-size crossovers. Toyota has the Highlander and Venza. Chevy has the Traverse and Equinox. Dodge has the Journey and Durango. And Ford has the Edge and the Explorer, (plus they throw in the Flex to cover the market they're missing by not offering a true minivan). And I don't think this Pathfinder is going to be offer much more than the Murano in terms of off-road capability.
....aaaaannnnnd, they are still producing the XTerra as of now. So if there is a need for a true off-roader, then a person could go that route. If not, then you go with the Pathfinder and have your 3rd row seats.
Just MHO.
carsgalore says:
12:31 PM, 01/09/2012
@aston_dbs says:
Looks pretty nice, actually better looking than Infiniti JX (has very similar wheel design)
But what is up with Nissan's obsession with CVT (put on JX as well)?
Is Nissan's CVT really that good? Anybody?
Well, to say "good" is subjective I guess. It's good as far as weight, a tiny bit better in MPGs, and less moving parts than a typical tranny goes. I have had no problems at all with this tranny. This truck will be equiped with a revised version of the CVT in my 2010 Maxima. I will be curious to see how these CVTS hold up with towing being involved.
carsgalore says:
12:26 PM, 01/09/2012
@akitadog says:
I see the Lexus RX, where's the Nissan?
Check your peepers again, since when does the Lexus RX come with 3 rows of seats? Or these contour lines? what pictures are you looking at? I see no Lexus anywhere is this vehicle.
zakyum1 says:
12:12 PM, 01/09/2012
Looks like my 2010 Hyundai Veracruz from the outside. This guy was hard to understand, can we get someone rasied in mid-western USA to do these talking video parts. Also get out of the way so we can acutally see the car!
bluejuke says:
11:50 AM, 01/09/2012
in my opinion, for everyday driving I would answer a resounding YES the nissan cvt is that good, its the only automatic transmission that I didn't get pissed @ and start using the shifter so it would hold a gear just a lil longer. Modern autos shift to top gear WAY too quickly, nothing can shift back down(or slide) like a cvt can in everyday driving
akitadog says:
11:02 AM, 01/09/2012
I see the Lexus RX, where's the Nissan?