Nissan’s desire to get a bigger share of the ‘three-row SUV’ pie resulted in it reinvigorating the Pathfinder. The Pathfinder has been around for a long time and needs no introduction. For the 2022 model, the SUV has been redesigned on the inside and out, and it looks quite fresh and modern. Just like most of the other three-row SUVs, the Pathfinder is trying to offer the practicality of a minivan in an SUV form.

The Pathfinder doesn’t have a widespread buffet like the Ford Explorer and is offered in just four trims. It also comes with just one engine and transmission option. However, it has a spacious cabin with lots of little storage places inside. The towing capacity is impressive, too. The 2022 Nissan Pathfinder recently arrived at TopSpeed’s headquarters, and here are our impressions of it.

2022 Nissan Pathfinder – Exterior

The Pathfinder moniker has been around for almost four decades now. The 2022 model marks a new generation and it is evident from its bold, rugged design. It looks boxier now and features some stylish elements. The new front fascia, especially the headlights, helps the SUV from looking dated. The signature V-motion grille is dressed in chrome for a premium look.

The Nissan Pathfinder is offered in four trims – S, SL, SV, and Platinum. The model you see in the images is the top-spec Platinum. Coming to its side profile, the S and SV trims comes with 18-inch wheels as standard. Even the SL comes with the same size, but a different finish. 20-inch wheels are optional. The top Platinum trim rides on 20-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with a dark metallic gray finish to it. They are wrapped in 255/50 section tires. The 18-inch wheels come shod in 255/60 section tires.

The flat derriere is not something we would’ve preferred on an otherwise decent-looking SUV, but the slim, long LED taillights and the plethora of badges and logos save it from looking ugly. De-badge the Pathfinder and you’ll realize how boring it actually looks. Overall, it looks like a common man’s Range Rover. Now, whether a good thing or a bad thing, you decide.

The Nissan Pathfinder is offered in 13 exterior shades in total, five of which are dual-tone and eight single shades:

- Obsidian Green Pearl

- Deep Ocean Blue Pearl

- Mocha Almond Pearl

- Super Black

- Gun Metallic

- Brilliant Silver Metallic

- Pearl White TriCoat - $395

- Scarlet Ember Tintcoat - $395

- Gun Metallic/Super Black - $350

- Boulder Gray Pearl/Super Black - $350

- Obsidian Green Pearl/Super Black - $350

- Pearl White TriCoat/Super Black - $745

- Scarlet Ember Tintcoat/Super Black - $745

The Pathfinder’s wheelbase is 114.2 inches long, which is 3.2 inches longer than the Pilot, but 4.9 inches shorter than the Explorer’s. As for the tracks, the Pathfinder’s front and rear tracks are 66.9 inches wide, the Pilot’s are 66.3 inches wide, and the Explorer’s are 67 inches wide.

The approach and departure angles of the Nissan SUV are rated at 16.1- and 15.6 degrees, respectively. Both its rivals have better ratings. The approach angle on the Ford is 21 inches and on the Honda 19.7 inches. As for the departure angle, it is rated at 22- and 20.8 degrees for the Explorer and the Pilot, respectively.

Pathfinder vs Explorer vs Pilot Exterior Dimensions Comparison

The Nissan Pathfinder is neither the heaviest, nor the lightest when compared to its rivals.

The Honda Pilot can tow up to 3,500 pounds, whereas the Ford Explorer comes with a maximum towing capacity of 5,300 pounds.

2022 Nissan Pathfinder – Interior

The three-row SUV comes with an eight-seat layout as standard on the S, SV, and SL trim. The top-spec Platinum features a seven-seat layout. Instead of a bench for the second row, you get captain’s chairs. You can have a seven-seat layout on the SV and SL trims as well. You get three different interior options to choose from in the top trim:

- Charcoal Semi-Aniline Leather

- Light Gray Semi-Aniline Leather

- Chestnut Semi-Aniline Leather

Our Pathfinder came with the Chestnut option and it looked quite plush.

Behind the chunky three-spoke, flat-bottom steering wheel is a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. Like a lot of other things, this is exclusive only to the Platinum trim. The other trims feature an analog-digital setup with a seven-inch screen in between. You also get a 10.4-inch head-up display as standard here.

The Pathfinder features a nine-inch touchscreen infotainment system on the top two trims and an eight-inch touchscreen on two base trims. Both of them support Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, whereas the nine-inch screen even supports wireless Apple CarPlay. The Platinum model is equipped with a 13-inch Bose premium sound system as standard. People opting for the lower trims will have to do with a six-speaker setup.

The Explorer comes with a headroom of 40.7 inches, shoulder room of 61.8 inches, hip room of 59.2 inches, and legroom of 43 inches. In the Pilot, you get 39.5 inches of headroom, 62 inches of shoulder room, 59.1 inches of hip room, and 40.9 inches of legroom.

In the Explorer, you’ll get 40.5 inches of headroom, 61.9 inches of hip room, 59.1 inches of hip room, and 39 inches of legroom. Opt for the Pilot and you’ll have 39.9 inches of headroom, 62 inches of shoulder room, 57.3 inches of hip room, and 38.4 inches of legroom at your disposal at the rear.

Pathfinder vs Explorer vs Pilot Interior Dimensions Comparison

This is the least of the lot. In the Pilot, you’ll have 16.5 cubic feet and in the Explorer, 87.8 cubic feet of space.

2022 Nissan Pathfinder – Drivetrain

Power is routed to the wheels via a nine-speed automatic gearbox. The Pathfinder can be had either with a two-wheel-drive system that channels all the oomph to the front wheels, or a four-wheel-drive system. Both drive layouts are available on all four trims.

The Pilot delivers 19 mpg in the city, 26 mpg on the highway, and 22 mpg combined.

The Explorer, despite being the heaviest of the lot, is the most frugal option here. It returns 21 mpg in the city, 28 mpg on the highway, and 24 mpg combined. The four-pot mill under the hood can be credited for this, unlike its Japanese rivals which feature V-6 engines.

The 2022 Nissan Pathfinder is offered in four trims. Each of the trim is offered with a two-wheel-drive or a four-wheel-drive system. Here’s how each of them is priced:

Is The 2022 Nissan Pathfinder Better Than The Ford Explorer?

Just like the Pathfinder, the Explorer has also been around for long. In its current iteration, The 2021 model was offered in five trims, but you get to choose from eight trims on the 2022 Explorer. ‘America’s all-time best-selling SUV’ benefitted from a new ‘King Ranch’ trim last year.

The Explorer comes with three engine options – a 2.3-liter, four-cylinder mill that makes 300 horses and 310 pound-feet of torque, a 3.0-liter, V-6 EcoBoost that churns 400 horses and 415 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.3-liter hybrid engine that puts out 318 horses and 322 pound-feet of torque. It can tow between 5,300 and 5,600 pounds, again, depending on the trim and configuration. The 2022 Ford Explorer starts at $33,245 and goes all the way up to $54,115.

Is The 2022 Nissan Pathfinder Better Than The Honda Pilot?

The Pilot is the jack of all trades and master on none. If you’re in the market for something utilitarian that offers you the practicality of a minivan in an SUV body, the Pilot is your go-to vehicle. It is offered in six trims and comes with most of the features one can ask for. While the interior is spacious, the third row isn’t very comfortable. Also, if tech features matter to you, then either get the stock touchscreen system replaced or look for another SUV – it is that bad.

It is offered with just one engine option across the lineup, that too in the same state of tune – a 3.5-liter, V-6 mill that generates 280 horses and 262 pound-feet of torque. You can have it either with a two-wheel- or a four-wheel-drive system. On paper, these figures feel lackluster. However, the Pilot is a peppy SUV and you’ll find it to be adequate in most situations.

As a utilitarian SUV and as a replacement for a minivan, the Pilot ticks all the boxes. But, if you want something sportier and that you can connect with, there are other options in the market. The Pilot starts at $37,580 and tops out at $49,870.

2022 Nissan Pathfinder – Packages

Nissan offers the Pathfinder with a lot of accessories, but there are only two packages. Both are the mid trims – the SV and the SL.

The SV Premium Package includes:

- Panoramic moonroof

- Power liftgate with position memory

- Towing prep receiver hitch, harness, and enhanced AT cooling (6,000-lb max capacity)

- Second-row captain’s chairs

- Second-row removable center console

The SL Premium Package includes:

- Panoramic moonroof

- 20-inch aluminum-alloy wheels

- 255/50R20 all-season tires

- Towing prep receiver hitch, harness, enhanced AT cooling (6,000-lb max capacity)

- 13-speaker Bose Premium Audio, including dual-driver subwoofer

- Second-row captain’s chairs

- Second-row removable center console

- Heated rear seats

- Wireless charging pad

2022 Nissan Pathfinder – Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

The safety and driver assistance features you get on the Pathfinder include:

- Immobilizer

- Vehicle security system

- Blind Spot Warning

- Rear Cross-Traffic Alert

- Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection

- Rear Automatic Braking

- Intelligent Forward Collision Warning

- Lane Departure Warning

- Blind Spot Intervention

- Intelligent Lane Intervention

- Traffic Sign Recognition

- ProPILOT Assist Steering Assist Intelligent Cruise Control (S and SV)

- ProPILOT Assist with Navi-link (SL and Platinum)

FAQ

Q: How Big Is The 2022 Pathfinder?

The Pathfinder measures 197.7 in length, which makes it 1.2 inches longer than the Honda Pilot, but 1.1 inches shorter than the Ford Explorer. It is the least wide, measuring 77.9 inches. The Pilot and the Explorer measure 78.6- and 78.9 inches wide. However, it is the tallest of lot, standing in at 70.9 inches from the ground. This makes it one full inches taller than the Explorer and 0.3 inches taller than the Pilot.

Q: How Much Does 2022 Pathfinder Weigh?

The Pathfinder weighs 4,317 pounds, which makes it a tad bit lighter than the 4,345-pound Explorer, but 276 pounds heavier than the 4,041-pound Pilot.

Q: How Much Can The 2022 Pathfinder Tow?

The 2022 Nissan Pathfinder can tow up to 3,500 pounds on the lower trims and 6,000 pounds on the top trim.

Q: How Spacious Is The 2022 Pathfinder?

In the front row, the Pathfinder offers 42.3 inches of headroom, 60.8 inches of shoulder room, 58.3 inches of hip room, and 44.3 inches of legroom.

Q: How Much Cargo Space Does The 2022 Pathfinder Offer?

Step to the rear and you’ll have 39.6 inches of headroom, 59.6 inches of shoulder room, 56.3 inches of hip room, and 35.5 inches of legroom in the Pathfinder.

Q: How Much Fuel Economy Does The 2022 Pathfinder Offer?

With all the seats in place, you’ll have 16.6 cubic feet of space in the Pathfinder, 18.2 cubic feet of cargo space in the Explorer, and 16.5 cubic feet of space in the Pilot. Flip down the second and third row in the Pathfinder and you’ll have 80.5 cubic feet of space to stuff your luggage in.

Q: How Much Does The 2022 Nissan Pathfinder Cost?

The Nissan Pathfinder delivers 20 miles in the city, 25 miles on the highway, and 22 miles combined for every gallon of fuel consumed.