Back in 2013, when the current generation Nissan Pathfinder bowed, we liked the modernized style but lamented the loss of the body-on-frame ruggedness the SUV had become known for. On the other hand, we accepted the shift in the market that saw more suburban-friendly CUVs on the rise. The new Pathfinder looked sleeker and more sophisticated than its predecessor, and it melded into the mainstream.
Now, Nissan has revealed the refreshed 2017 Pathfinder with echoes of a more rugged look. Thought Nissan isn't going back to the old boxy look, the grille and body tweaks give it a tougher look that's welcomed for the 30th anniversary of the first Pathfinder.
Details on the refreshed Pathfinder are as follows:
- The last 3.5-liter V6 gets massaged and now delivers 284 horsepower and 259 lb-feet of torque (up from 260 hp and 250 lb-ft). It uses direct injection and gets the same fuel economy as the 2016 model. Towing capacity jumps from 5,000 lbs to 6,000 pounds.
- The front and rear
facias have been redesigned. The grille is now more texturized, a-la LandRover, and the U-shaped chrome section that's across the model line is now more squarish at the base and less sleek than the 2016 model. - Headlights get more angularity and a new peak at the lower midpoint.
Foglight housings look tougher with a more textured black surround, and there's a faux skid plate that makes the Pathfinder look more ready for the rough and tumble than it actually is. - The hood has more creases,
lending to a thicker look, and the taillights have also been revised to match the beefed up look of the CUV. - The interior hasn't changed much, but Nissan has added some advanced safety features like collision mitigation on higher trims. The suspension is stiffer, and the steering has also been tweaked.
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