Nissan says its new Pathfinder will lure customers from tough off-roaders like the Toyota LandCruiser Prado and Ford Everest – but it says it knows it won’t get all of them.
Nissan has this week launched its new Pathfinder, as well as its new X-Trail, with the two SUVs forming key planks in Nissan’s bid to begin climbing the sales charts in Australia.
And to do it, it’s got its eye on Pathfinder conquest sales from the Mazda CX-9 and Hyundai Palisade, as well as those shopping for a Toyota LandCruiser Prado or a Ford Everest.
The idea, says Nissan, is that its now-more-rugged Pathfinder won’t appeal to customers that want to use every inch of its competitors’ towing and off-road capability, but it says there is another tier of Prado or Everest customer who want a vehicle that can do some, just not all, of the really tough stuff.
“It’s definitely still (up against the) Kluger, the CX-9 and the Palisade, but with the improvements in the look and the more rugged capabilities, hopefully it will also bring some of that market from the diesel 4WD off-roaders,” said Nissan Australia’s Senior Product Manager, Martin Longayroux.
“So those that don’t go serious off-roading, but just want that little bit more. So maybe from the Prado, and those Jeep and Everest-type customers.
“We were fortunate enough last week to take it on some of the more heavy duty off-roads tracks, and it held itself up really well.
“We’re definitely more off-road ready and rugged looking, and it’s definitely more capable.”
As previously reported, the new-generation Pathfinder spans ST, ST-L, Ti and Ti-L trim levels, with all models powered by a 3.5-litre petrol V6 delivering 202kW and 340Nm, which is paired to a new nine-speed automatic transmission.
All 4WD models also get a seven-position Drive and Terrain Mode Selector with options for Standard, Sport, Eco, Snow, Mud/Rut and Tow, while braked towing capacity is improved to 2700kg.
There’s no diesel, and no 3.5-tonne towing capacity, and only a space-saver spare tyre, which might rule it out for those into hardcore off-roading or heavy-duty towing, but Nissan is confident not all customers in the diesel 4WD space need to do either of those things to the maximum, and it’s hoping the Pathfinder’s improved capability will lure them back to a petrol-engined SUV.
“We’re definitely expecting it to better than the last model, and for it to deliver as one of our top-selling models,” Mr Longayroux said.
And if Australians demand more off-road toughness (or even a full-size spare), there’s an answer for that, too, with Nissan open to submitting the Pathfinder to local engineering house Premcar in Victoria to undergo the Warrior treatment, much like the Navara, and the soon-to-launch Patrol Warrior.
“Those are obviously things we will look at once we launch the car and whether there’s an opportunity, and what the market is looking for,” Mr Longayroux said.
Keyword: Look out Toyota Prado! Nissan says its toughened-up Pathfinder will lure customers from the top-selling large SUV, as well as Ford Everest and Isuzu MU-X