- Nissan plans to sell the current unibody Pathfinder alongside a new, body-on-frame Pathfinder, according to a report from Automotive News.
- The current Pathfinder will be updated, while the new body-on-frame version is expected to arrive as early as 2029.
- According to the report, the unibody version will be aimed at entry-level buyers, while the off-road-focused body-on-frame model will have a higher price.
Nissan plans to keep the aging Pathfinder around for a while. According to a new report from Automotive Newsthe automaker plans to sell the current Pathfinder alongside a new, body-on-frame SUV of the same name.
A source familiar with the plan said this Automotive News that Nissan will continue to sell an updated version of the unibody Pathfinder, while also offering a body-on-frame version of the SUV. According to the report, the unibody version, which is expected to maintain its road focus, will be updated in 2028 or 2029. The body-on-frame Pathfinder will be more truck-like with unique styling and will follow the upcoming Xterra on Nissan’s new body-on-frame platform as early as 2029.
The current Pathfinder generation dates back to the 2022 model year, meaning that even with updates, the unibody model could be seven years old by the time the body-on-frame version arrives. Since we don’t want one version to cannibalize sales of the other, the two Pathfinder models will only be sold simultaneously as long as it makes sense to do so. Pricing for the unibody model will reportedly be aimed at entry-level buyers, with the more robust body-on-frame model expected to carry a more expensive price tag.
Although Nissan would not outright confirm the report, the brand did not go so far as to deny it either. A spokesperson for the brand provided Car and driver with the following statement regarding the future of the Pathfinder.
“We are always evaluating our plans to offer the most attractive product portfolio based on consumer trends and market opportunities. We are excited about the potential to return the iconic Xterra to the Nissan lineup as early as 2028, followed by four other frame-based vehicles on the same all-new platform,” a Nissan spokesperson wrote in a statement. “For all other future product programs, decisions will be made in line with consumer demand to maintain the strongest possible line-up for our brands, but no decisions have been made at this time.”
According to the Car news According to the report, Nissan plans to use powertrain options to differentiate between the two versions. The unibody Pathfinder will reportedly be powered solely by an internal combustion powertrain. On the other hand, the frame-mounted Pathfinder will be launched with a combustion-only powertrain, but a hybrid option will be added in the future. Nissan may also distinguish between the two versions with seating options. The unibody Pathfinder offers a child-sized third row, but it’s possible the off-road-focused version will drop the rear row in favor of a larger cargo area.
The report also says that the Pathfinder may carry the Pro4X badge on the frame, indicating its focus on off-road riding. All five planned vehicles on the new body-on-frame platform are expected to be assembled at Nissan’s plant in Canton, Mississippi.
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Jack Fitzgerald’s love for cars stems from his still unshakable addiction to Formula 1.
After a brief stint as a detailer for a local dealer group in college, he knew he needed a more permanent way to drive all the new cars he couldn’t afford, and decided to pursue a career in automotive writing. By chasing down his college professors at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, he was able to travel across Wisconsin in search of stories about the automotive world before landing his dream job at Car and driver. His new goal is to delay the inevitable demise of his 2010 Volkswagen Golf.
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