Nissan’s Hit the Mark with the 2022 Pathfinder’s Redesign

Photo Source: NISSAN

The Nissan Pathfinder’s finest model years for sales were between 2013 to 2017, which garnered approximately 80,000 total sales yearly. That was fairly early on once it launched on the market. Since then, the SUV has witnessed a turbulent up and down cycle over the past few years. In the hopes of attracting more customers and greater stability in sales, Nissan has decided to give the 2022 Pathfinder a complete redesign. Some might even consider the overhaul to the fifth-generation Pathfinder to be a relief, as it has a more able-bodied appearance with enough room to make it a family-oriented vehicle and a considerable amount of technological features. Gone is the shame of the previous generation with welcome changes that embody a much more modern automobile. The question remains, however: Will the much-needed upgrades be enough for the 2022 Nissan Pathfinder to stand toe-to-toe with its competitors?

Exterior and Interior Makeover

Nissan has given the exterior of the Pathfinder sharper edges and a more streamlined look overall. Fog lights and LED headlamps also accompany it. The back of the SUV is fashioned very well, with a good distribution of weight and broad lighting fixtures. Meanwhile, the new emblems mark a positive tipping point for the 2022 Nissan Pathfinder. The automobile’s interior is replete with lavish accessories that work in its favor to cement it as a stylish SUV: a nine-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a Head-Up Display, and a seven-inch digital gauge cluster. The seats are cooled and heated, as is the steering wheel.

That being said, despite its new, brawny design, the Pathfinder is still a family automobile at its core. The interior space in the second row is plentiful, and there is sufficient room in the third row to make it suitable for children. The second row even has climate control, so it can effectively be managed without inconveniencing the occupants in the front row. 

Fourth Generation Versus Fifth Generation Pathfinder

Even though the same 3.5-liter V-6 engine still powers the SUV, it is one of the few things Nissan decided not to alter. For example, rather than relying on the continuously variable transmission of the prior trim, the brand opted to use a nine-speed automatic one instead. It is perhaps the single most significant adjustment that influences how the Pathfinder drives in comparison to the fourth generation of the vehicle. There is now much more vigor to be found in the SUV. Additionally, the latest adaptation of the Pathfinder’s all-wheel drive iteration comes with a terrain feature that permits the driver to select a drive mode for both even and bumpy landscapes.

Sales for 2022

The Pathfinder is a vehicle structured for comfort, and it performs its function well. Nissan has modified an SUV to smooth out any jagged edges and make driving an adventure that the driver can partake in with satisfaction. More importantly, though, it is a method that seems to work in the automaker’s favor. The pandemic started at the beginning of 2020 when the first quarter was still strong and saw a sales count of 18,000, but the second quarter experienced a mishap, and sales dropped to 8,800. Up until the redesign of the Pathfinder, the numbers have been unstable, at best. 

However, sales for the 2022 Nissan Pathfinder trim are following a better path because, as of the end of the third quarter, a total of 37,582 units have been sold. With 15,302 sales, the second quarter of 2022 was the best one this vehicle had. If the SUV could duplicate these numbers, it would eclipse last year’s purchases by approximately 11,500. It looks like the Pathfinder is making an overdue recovery, and the redesign has the potential to drive sales figures to climb even further.

If the improvements on the 2022 Nissan Pathfinder have had an impact on you, come check it out in person at Ellicott City Nissan. After all, we are all about helping our customers appreciate their shopping experience. We have a friendly sales team that will make your buying, selling, or leasing needs easy for any of our new vehicle inventory. We are happy to be your dealership home.