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2022 Nissan Pathfinder Drops CVT for a 9-Speed Automatic Transmission

The 2022 Pathfinder may be a unibody that features a transverse V6 and front-wheel drive as standard, but Nissan made a very important change under the skin. Instead of a continuously variable transmission loathed by everyone, the Japanese automaker has leveled up to a nine-speed auto.
2022 Nissan Pathfinder for the U.S. market 40 photos
Photo: Nissan
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"35 years after the launch of the original, Pathfinder has returned to its rugged roots, loaded with the benefit of everything learned along the way," declared vice president of product and services planning Jared Haslam. "Today's large SUV owners want a vehicle that conveys strength and rugged capability, while using advanced safety and technology features to keep their family safe and comfortable during everyday adventures, and the all-new Pathfinder is ready to take on those adventures," signed off the exec.

Very bold as opposed to the preceding model, the mid-size crossover features a seven-position Drive and Terrain Mode selector when equipped with Intelligent AWD. The Pathfinder isn’t too shabby in terms of towing either thanks to a best-in-segment rating of 6,000-pound (2,722-kilogram).

Available with captain’s chairs and seating for up to eight people, the newcomer also impresses with ProPILOT Assist hands-on driving technologies and the Nissan Safety Shield 360 driver-assist and safety suite, which includes Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Protection.

Offered in four trim levels (S, SV, SL, and Platinum) and with two optional packages (SV Premium and SL Premium), the Pathfinder will arrive at dealerships late in the summer of 2021 alongside the all-new Frontier mid-size pickup truck. 14 colors and color combinations are offered for the exterior, and every specification comes standard with a direct-injected V6.

The 3.5-liter engine is a free-breathing design that peaks at 284 horsepower and 259 pound-feet (351 Nm) of torque. They’re adequate numbers for this class of vehicle, but just that. For reference, the 3.5-liter mill of the Honda Pilot is good for 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet (355 Nm) of torque.

As much as Nissan tries to paint the Pathfinder as the kind of SUV that won’t leave you stranded off-road, bear in mind the 2022 model features 7.2 inches (18.2 centimeters) of ground clearance. The all-season tires aren’t helping either, and a two-speed transfer case is missing from the options list.

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About the author: Mircea Panait
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After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well.
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