2022 Nissan Pathfinder Platinum 2WD

The 2022 Nissan Pathfinder Platinum has a long history of ruggedness, off-road chops and good value. It has been a while since Napleton News was in one, but the opportunity presented itself recently. We like what we see and we want to tell you about it.

Napleton News Pathfinder Highlights:

• All-new from the ground up
• Revised version of the 3.5-liter Nissan V6
• 9-speed automatic transmission replaces CVT
• Seats up to eight passengers
• Up to 6,000-pound towing capacity

The Nissan Pathfinder Platinum 2WD: The result of a storied past.

When introduced in 1985, the Nissan Pathfinder was a two-door body-on-frame SUV based on the Frontier pickup. The Pathfinder is all-new for 2022 and features something of a return to its roots as an off-road-friendly SUV. It’s also in the “family way,” with space for up to eight passengers in three rows, depending on its configuration. Napleton News found that getting into that third row is much easier than in some of the Pathfinder’s rivals.

The Nissan Pathfinder is available in four trim levels. They range from base-level S, SV, SL and Platinum trims. A front-wheel drive (2WD) powertrain is standard, while all-wheel drive (AWD) is an available add-on throughout the range. A 3.5-liter V6 engine that makes 284 horsepower and 259 lb-ft of torque powers the new Pathfinder. It is matched up to a 9-speed automatic transmission which is head and shoulders above the continuously variable transmission it replaces.

With all this power underhood, the Pathfinder has a best-in-class tow rating of 6,000 pounds, putting it ahead of competitors like the Honda Pilot or the Telluride from Kia.

How does the Nissan Pathfinder look outside?

Inspired by the outdoors and the gear you’d use there, the new Pathfinder is designed to look more brutish, more capable and more muscular than before. We think they have succeeded with this and even added a wink and a nod to the past via grille slots on the top of the hood.

The new-gen V-motion grille is here, too. Floating C-pillars similar to the original design are a throwback to earlier times. Lighting is of the LED variety and includes slim DRLs in front and slim wide LEDs at the rear.

Tying things off at the rear is the word PATHFINDER stretched across the tailgate. There will be no mistaking the Pathfinder, especially if you are driving behind it.

How about inside?

Updated with all the latest hardware, the 2022 Pathfinder is loaded with the latest technology, including a 12.3-inch digital gauge display screen. Our tester, being a Platinum edition, came with a 10.8-inch head-up display that offered speeds and speed limits as well as turn-by-turn navigation. A 9-inch color touchscreen display topped the center console for audio, navigation, and smartphone connectivity.

Our Platinum included tan leather seating with heating and ventilation, which is a perfect antidote for the Florida flop-sweats. Seating utilized Nissan’s stellar zero-gravity thrones in the front row. The second row includes a three-person bench, but our Platinum had a pair of optional captain’s chairs instead. Further back is a three-wide third-row seat.

The second-row bench seat has a one-touch release to slide and fold forward for easy loading of third-row passengers.

Our Platinum was equipped with one of our favorite Nissan features: ProPilot Assist. This award-winning system combines adaptive cruise control with steering assist. In the top-shelf Platinum model, ProPilot works in conjunction with the navigation feature so that it knows when the road makes a sweeping turn, goes up a hill, hits a highway exit and more.

Behind the wheel of the Nissan Pathfinder Platinum

Power from the 3.5-liter V6 is potent and the 9-speed automatic transmission is a sure-footed shifter. Which is just the thing you want when powering through the mud, snow and muck. And that’s just off-road. With the ProPilot Assist system, we felt fully confident in the Pathfinder’s ability, regardless of where we pointed it.

Overall, the Pathfinder is as docile as you want for around-town jaunts or week-long cross-country excursions. It’s the perfect family-hauling SUV that provides the features of a minivan with the toughness of a truck.

Napleton news new 2022 Nissan Pathfinder Platinum Specification chart