While it is unlikely that many buyers of the 2022 Nissan Pathfinder will take the SUV along difficult off-road trails, Autotrader recently set out to see what the vehicle is capable of when you turn off the tarmac and head somewhere a little more challenging.
The journalist had intended to put the Pathfinder to the test along some of California’s punishing off-road trails but due to local wildfires, many of these trails are closed. As such, the reviewer was limited to some much easier dirt trails but still had a good chance to discover what the new Pathfinder is all about.
Read More: 2022 Nissan Pathfinder Starts From $34,560, Arrives At U.S. Dealers Later This Month
Nissan offers the 2022 Pathfinder in a plethora of different guises in the U.S. Kicking off the range is the Pathfinder S 2WD model available from $33,410. However, that’s not the model that Autotrader tested and instead, it was handed the keys to the flagship Pathfinder Platinum 4WD that starts at $48,090. This variant isn’t ideal for testing off-road as it has large 20-inch wheels and road-oriented all-terrain tires.
Nevertheless, the reviewer is impressed with the SUV’s off-roading credentials. He is particularly impressed with the steering feel and the ride quality. He also likes the braking feel provided by the car.
All variants of the new Pathfinder feature a 3.5-liter naturally-aspirated V6 with 284 hp and 259 lb-ft (351 Nm) of torque. This engine is coupled to a nine-speed automatic transmission. Autotrader says the engine is responsive and while 4WD models are essentially just front-wheel drive that can send some power to the rear when needed, it remains well suited to driving both on and off the road.