Model year tweaks and price increases for the only two versions of Nissan’s new family SUV left on sale
Nissan Australia has increased the pricing of its Nissan Pathfinder range yet again, with the big seven- and eight-seat SUV now starting from $71,490 plus on-road costs – an increase of $1460.
The new starting price for the updated MY23 version of the large SUV comes less than three months after the long-awaited local launch of the fifth-generation Pathfinder – which debuted in the US more than two years ago in February 2021 – in December 2022, when Nissan Australia increased the pre-release prices it announced in July 2022 for all but the entry-level variant ($54,190 plus ORCs).
Now, the 2023 Nissan Pathfinder’s new $71,490 starting price applies to what was previously the penultimate Ti 4WD variant, following the recent axing of the lesser ST 2WD, ST-L 4WD and Ti 2WD.
Above it still resides the more lavish Ti-L 4WD flagship, which has had $1263 added to its asking price and now retails an even $10,000 higher than the Ti 4WD at $81,490 plus ORCs.
“These two grades are our most popular trim levels amongst Australian customers,” a Nissan Australia spokesperson said.
“We have opted to streamline the Pathfinder line-up due to unavoidable supply constraints and ongoing disruption in the global production environment.
“Both models now add Walk Away Lock and a new FOB key to their extensive standard equipment lists for MY23.
“The price changes reflect their newly increased equipment specifications.”
carsales understands Nissan dealers have been told they won’t be able to order base ST or ST-L variants any time in future and, while there are apparently a few Ti 2WD vehicles remaining in dealer stock, the mid-range variant no longer appears on the Nissan Australia website.
The axing of the lower front-drive grades and its resulting entry price hike means the Pathfinder is technically no longer a direct sales rival for mainstream large SUVs (priced under $70,000, as defined by VFACTS) like the Kia Sorento, Mazda CX-9 and Toyota Kluger, but rather premium models like the Audi Q7, BMW X5 and Lexus RX.
And anyone hoping to see the tougher and more capable Rock Creek variant make its way into local showrooms will be disappointed to hear that Nissan has officially ruled it out for our market, though things are less cut and dry in terms of a locally-developed Pathfinder Warrior.
“At this time we are not planning to launch Pathfinder Rock Creek,” the spokesperson said.
“For Warrior, we are currently focusing on the development of Patrol Warrior, which will be launched later this year.”
Pandering to the increasing popularity of beefier monocoque SUVs in North America, the Rock Creek rides 16mm higher than standard Pathfinder 4WDs courtesy of more aggressive all-terrain tyres and a revised suspension set-up, with new fuel mapping extracting more power and torque from the 3.5-litre petrol V6.
Local executives have never ruled out the prospect of a Pathfinder Warrior and even confirmed last year that such a project had been the topic of internal discussion.
The toughed-up car-based SUV trend is yet to really take off here, but the pending introduction of the Subaru Outback Wilderness and perhaps the Forester Wilderness could help change that, with a range of X-Line Kia SUVs also possible.
Despite continuing to shun the ladder-frame construction of its original namesakes, Nissan says its latest Pathfinder is designed to go off-road, although not to the same “serious” extent as something like a Ford Everest or Toyota Prado.
How much does the 2023 Nissan Pathfinder cost?
Ti 4WD – $71,490
Ti-L 4WD – $81,490
* Prices exclude on-road costs
Join the conversation at our Facebook page Or email us at [email protected]
Keyword: Prices hiked for two remaining Nissan Pathfinder variants