With a history that spans nearly four decades, it’s no surprise that inspiration for the latest Pathfinder can be traced all the way back to the original boxy style version which launched in 1985 and first landed ‘down-under’ in 1987.
Back then it was two-door, body-on-frame SUV primarily designed for the United States market in answer to rivals’ makes and models like the Chevy Blazer, Ford Bronco, Jeep Cherokee, Toyota 4Runner and Isuzu MU.
It shook up the massive American auto market and resulted in what has become known as the ‘chicken tax’ – the domestic automakers lobbied for hefty duties laid on imported three door SUVs. In New Zealand, the story was similar.
Many 4WDers will have fond memories of the two door and four-door originals, and of course the second generation version, which took pride of place in many driveways - mostly in gold or the even more popular gold-green two-tone scheme.
From 1985 to 1989 Pathfinders were available with either the Nissan VG30i 3.0 L V6 (107 kW/220 Nm) or the Z24i 2.4 L (79 kW) inline four cylinder.
In 1990, the V6 received an upgrade from throttle body injection to a multi-point fuel injection system. This engine was known as the VG30e (114 kW/244 Nm). The first generation continued until 1995.
A facelift occurred in 1990 when the four-door model was introduced. The front grille was revised, numerous interior trim level options became available and numerous exterior packages were offered by dealerships.
The second-generation Pathfinder was introduced in late 1995 with revised styling and drivetrain. The VG30e continued, and new diesel engines became available.
At the 2004 North American International Auto Show, Nissan unveiled a completely redesigned Pathfinder for the 2005 model year. The new R51 Pathfinder used the Nissan F-Alpha platform. It was powered by a 4.0 L V6 engine VQ40DE (198kW/390 Nm) or a 2.5 L YD25DDT (126 kW (171 PS/403Nm) turbodiesel.
Redesigned Pathfinder went on sale in late October 2012 as a 2013 model. It moved away from a body-on-frame, truck-based SUV and adopted a unibody design. It rides on the same platform as the Infiniti QX60, Altima, Maxima and Murano. This generation Pathfinder has an interior similar to the second-generation Murano and the Infiniti QX60.
The new fifth-generation Pathfinder was unveiled on 4 February 2021.
The model remains a unibody crossover, riding on the same platform as the previous generation, though it gains a more squared-off look with styling cues from previous Pathfinders.
Engine power remains the same, at 212kW/351Nm.
The outgoing model’s CVT is replaced with an all-new 9-speed automatic from ZF. The fifth-generation Pathfinder also receives a new terrain-management system, dubbed Intelligent 4x4, featuring seven management settings.
