2017 Nissan Pathfinder debuts with more power, better tech

Nissan has introduced in the US the refreshed 4th generation Pathfinder for 2017. It presents a more aggressive exterior, a retuned V6 engine, and a host of new driver assistance tech.

The 2017 Pathfinder has a restyled hood and the brand’s signature V-Motion grille. The shape of the grille is then accentuated by a pair of boomerang-shaped headlights with LED daytime running lights (DRL). Completing the front end’s muscular styling is a new bumper with a more prominent lower radiator air intake.

The sides, on the other hand, has new exterior mirrors with integrated turn signal lights that aid in safer cornering, especially on city streets. In addition, the Pathfinder sits either on a set of 18- or 20-inch aluminum-alloy wheels.

Another major change is found on the rear end. The lift gate now features motion activation, which adds convenience when loading many items. No need to press the remote key just to open the liftgate. A simple swipe of the foot below the bumper triggers a mechanism that automatically lifts the gate. This feature can come in handy on rainy days when one has to hold an umbrella on one hand while loading items on the other.

More enhancements are found inside the vehicle. First, it has an improved driver information cluster called Advanced Driver Assist Display (ADAD). This shows the driver important vehicle stats like trip distance, fuel consumption, and more. Meanwhile, the center dash is integrated with an 8-inch touch screen infotainment system with 13 Bose audio speakers.

The 2017 Nissan Pathfinder retains its previous model’s 3-row 7-seater layout. That said, the vehicle offers ample passenger and cargo space for those who like to travel with family and friends. In addition, the vehicle has a 3-zone air conditioning system that makes journeys cool and comfy even for those seated at the back.

Housed under the hood is a retuned 3.5L V6 gasoline engine that makes 284 hp and 351 Nm of torque (by comparison, the previous model puts out 260 hp and 325 Nm). This is mated to a 3rd gen Xtronic continuous variable transmission (CVT). The thing about this CVT is that it has D-Step Logic Control which “simulates gear shifting for a more natural acceleration feel.”

Lastly, this increased performance is kept under control using a host of new driver assist features. These include Forward Emergency Braking (FEB) and Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC). There’s also the Moving Object Detection (MOD) to alert the driver of pedestrians, animals, or other cars on the move around the vehicle’s parameters.

So, do you want Nissan Philippines to offer the Pathfinder?