The first-generation Pathfinder was unveiled in May 1985 and was introduced in July 1986 as a ‘three-door’ body-on-frame SUV.

It shared styling and most components with the Nissan Navara. Built on a ladder-type frame, the Pathfinder was Nissan's response to the success in America of the Chevrolet Blazer, Ford Bronco II, Jeep Cherokee, and non-American SUVs like the Toyota 4Runner, Honda Passport, and the original Isuzu MU.

Once upon a time, last century (in my deep dark past), my brother Gary and I raced an original-model Nissan Pathfinder. The old three-door one, V6 auto, production class. We did the Taupo 1000 back when Mike Parkes ran it like an American outlaw race. That thing did 185km/h down Low-Level Road in the mighty Kaingaroa Road. In the rain. In between knocking wheels off it, the truck was very competitive.

Our white Pathfinder and Mike Parkes’ similar blue diesel-powered one were ‘poster children’ for the new production class. I also won production class in the Wild 300 when that epic weekend was a national round.

So, this drive is all a bit strange: the 2026 version of the same truck, but with all the bells and whistles, leather everywhere, panorama sunroof and 20-inch wheels with 255/50 tyres.

We’re in the top spec Ti-L model, because why not experience the whole Pathfinder?

Spending $85,990 buys a whole lot of tech and spec. Briefly, Ti-L highlights include:

•  Intelligent 4x4 with seven drive and terrain modes
• Seven-seat configuration (2:2:3), front seats heated and ventilated
• Second row slide, recline & fold down captain’s chairs
• 12.3" TFT Advanced Drive-Assist® Display instrument cluster
• 9.0-inch infotainment display
• 13-speaker Bose sound system
• Android Auto and Apple Car Play
• Intelligent rear view mirror
• Tilt and slide electric sunroof with panoramic glass roof

The 2025 Nissan Pathfinder Ti-L has a unibody (monocoque) chassis construction like most road cars. This platform was introduced for the 2022 model year and carries over to 2025. It emphasises passenger comfort and ride quality for road use, similar to many of its SUV competitors

Pathfinder’s engine these days is Nissan’s 3.5 Litre DOHC 24-valve direct injection V6 petrol unit. It produces 202kW and 340Nm, and is coupled to a nine-speed torque converter auto.

The transmission couples to an AWD system that provides for just about every on-road or off-road eventuality. Select one of up to five drive modes and seven terrain modes, each specifically designed to match the environment. Choose Auto mode for everyday driving, Sport mode for overtaking, or Eco mode to help maximise efficiency.

Our chosen mode for the dunes at Port Waikato is of course Sand Mode, part of its Intelligent 4x4 system that is designed to optimise power delivery, traction, and wheel spin to prevent the vehicle from sinking in loose sand, working with other modes like Mud/Rut, Snow, and Tow for specific terrains. Activated by a rotary dial on the centre console, it adjusts the engine, transmission, and 4WD system for better flotation and momentum on beaches or dunes.

If fact it’s a lot more useful than that, and we found it worked better than the Mud/Rut setting in most conditions.

Suspension these days is fully independent, and there are disc brakes front and rear. The turning circle is very good for a five-metre-long SUV: 11.2m.

Pathfinder will tow 2.7 tonnes on a braked trailer, and can carry up to 720kg inside.

Also handy: Hill Start Assist helps prevent rollback on inclines whilst Hill Descent Control helps descend steep grades at a controlled speed.

The driver’s 12.3-inch dash display can be set up to show the torque split between front and rear axles. On-road, most of the engine’s torque goes to the front wheels most of the time. Away from intersections, using the throttle vectors some torque to the rear to eliminate slip.

In the Port Waikato dunes, the split sent up to 50 per cent of torque to the rear wheels whenever grip became limited. It was a seamless process, to the point where actual wheel slip was hardly felt beyond a very brief vibration through steering wheel or seat.

Though it’s a unitary (monocoque) body, the Pathfinder has a solidity about it in the dunes and on the drive back to civilisation. It doesn’t deviate from its chosen line in corners, and body roll is kept to a minimum by that clever active anti-roll system. Visibility is as good as an SUV ever is and better than most, and the driver’s electric seat has two memory settings and can be jacked up high to give better vision offroad.

The big limiting factor, of course, is the wheel/tyre combo, which is very much about on-road and urban use. The grip is there, but the 50-series sidewalls would put the Pathfinder at risk of a ‘snakebite’ flat if used in rough going or where big, flinty rocks form the track surface.

It’s a case of horses for courses. Use and enjoy the Pathfinder the way it was intended, and it will provide months and moths of enjoyable driving.

Fuel economy? Overall, our time in the big blue SUV netted 12.3l/100km, a bit higher than the official 11.7l/100km. Our best was a short-ish onroad jaunt up to Highbrook which was done at 8.5l/100km. Not bad for a petrol V6 pushing two tonnes of body.