Nissan Pathfinder News

Pricing and details announced for efficiency-boosting Pathfinder Hybrid SUV.Nissan has confirmed Australian spec and pricing for the hybrid version of the Pathfinder large SUV, ahead of its arrival in local showrooms in September. Trailing V6 versions of the R52 model by 11 months, the Pathfinder Hybrid’s petrol-electric drivetrain eschews the turbodiesel route taken by most efficiency-leading large SUVs.The Pathfinder Hybrid will be available Nissan’s familiar ST, ST-L and Ti grades, kicking off with the $42,990 Pathfinder Hybrid ST – with each grade just $3000 more than their respective petrol models. The hybrid drivetrain is comprised of a supercharged 2.5L four-cylinder petrol engine, coupled with a 15kW electric motor to deliver a combined 188kW and 330Nm. These figures are comparable to the 190kW/325Nm 3.5-litre V6 found in the regular Pathfinder lineup, but the hybrid’s fuel consumption drops to 8.4L/100km (from 9.9) for the two-wheel drive ST. Similarly, the all-wheel drive ST-L and Ti drop to 8.5L/100km (from 10.2), and all hybrid models echo their V6 counterparts with a CVT automatic transmission.Nissan boasts that the Pathfinder Hybrid’s practical seven seat cabin layout is a match for petrol models, thanks to clever packaging of the 144-volt lithium-ion battery under the rearmost seats. Even the petrol model’s 73-litre fuel tank has been carried over. However, the Pathfinder Hybrid’s 1650kg maximum tow rating is 1050kg less than V6 variants. The entry $42,990 ST 2WD comes equipped with a reversing camera and rear sensors, tri-zone climate control, 18-inch alloy wheels and LED tail lights.The mid-spec $57,490 ST-L 4WD adds a front sunroof, panoramic glass roof for the second and third row seats, leather seats, heated front seats, electronically adjustable seats and steering wheel, fog lamps and additional chrome detailing.A $2100 option pack is also available for the ST-L, which adds a 360 degree Around View Monitor, an 8-inch multimedia screen with satnav and a 9Gb music player with Bose speakers.The top-line $68,090 Ti 4WD includes all the ST-L and option pack features, plus a DVD system with 7-inch screen in the rear with wireless headphones and remote control, a powered tailgate and 20 inch alloys.

New Honda Jazz sets new benchmark for rear view cameras: $14,990.

Nissan showrooms are about to be transformed with everything from a cool small car to a handy ute and a hybrid supercar. Nissan global boss Andy Palmer says the new Navara pick-up will be unveiled next month and is set to arrive in showrooms either late this year or early next.Palmer gives little away about the Navara, which remains the most popular model in Nissan's local line-up. However, the new models is expected to be uprated to five safety stars.Carsguide also has been told that the current Navara's high-powered 3.0-litre turbo diesel V6, sourced from parent company Renault, will be dropped because the new 2.0-litre engine will get close to the Renault's 550Nm. Other areas of improvement are payload and towing capacity, where the current model falls behind the newer competition.Palmer indicates Nissan will develop a seven-seat wagon using the Navara's underpinnings, similar to the SUV and ute pairings such as the Holden Colorado and Colorado 7, Mitsubishi Triton and Challenger, and Ford Ranger and the coming Everest.The current Navara spawned the Pathfinder but Nissan Australia has used that name on a Toyota Kluger-style, car-derived SUV. It means Nissan will need to find a new name for its seven-seater based on the next-generation Navara, but it will also prepare a much-needed diesel-powered seven-seat SUV.Palmer confirms development of the modern-day Datsun 1600 is well progressed. The IDx two-door coupe was confirmed late last year as going into production, just months after it was unveiled as a concept car at the Tokyo motor show. But it's still at least two years from showrooms. A budget-priced rival to the Toyota 86, it is expected to be powered by a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine that drives the rear wheels.The IDx is expected to be a global brand-building model for Nissan, which means it's a strong chance for sale in Australia. The next-generation 370Z sports car will be more affordable and the next iteration of the giant-killing GT-R will adopt a hybrid powertrain to reduce its fuel consumption and give it an electric boost off the line. Both models are at least three years away.This reporter is on Twitter: @JoshuaDowling

There are exciting new releases planned across the board; from budget hatches to practical SUVs, to exotic supercars. We’ve broken them down into segments and likely price categories to help you. We've based our price estimations on the current market, but some estimations could change in the future, and some model ranges span across price categories, so be sure to check our other stories...New cars for 2014 | less than $20,000New cars for 2014 | $20,000-$40,000New cars for 2014 | $59,000-$100,000New cars for 2014 | over $100,000 LIGHT CARSMini Cooper: Mini will bring the all-new third-generation ‘new Mini’ Cooper to our shores from May, with the entry models using a new 1.5-litre three cylinder turbo petrol or diesel engine, and the hot Cooper S to step up to a new 2.0-litre turbo petrol from the same family. The three-door hatch will be the only bodystyle to lob in 2014, with convertible and a new five-door hatch (at least) to follow later. (Approximately $31,000-$46,000)SMALL CARSAudi A3 sedan: Audi will add a sedan version of its A3 small car to the existing Sportback hatch lineup from January, with the hot S3 version to follow in April, and the drop-top A3 Cabriolet (from about $57k) to complete the lineup in about September. (Approximately $65,000)BMW 2 Series: The discontinued 1 Series coupe will be replaced by the new 2 Series coupe in around May, and will likely mirror the petrol and diesel drivetrains of the existing 1 Series hatch. A soft-top convertible is also in the works, but its launch date is still up in the air. (Approximately $45,000-$85,000)Lexus CT 200h: Lexus will complete the spindle grill-ification of its Australian lineup when it launches the mid-cycle refresh of the CT 200h hybrid hatch before July. Along with the stylistic alignment with the rest of the range, the new CT will feature revised suspension tuning and interior trim, with the possibility of sharpened pricing in the pursuit of sales volume. (Approximately $40,000-$58,000)Renault Megane: Also due around June is a mid-cycle refresh for the Megane coupe, cabriolet, and wagon models. (Approximately $20,000-$50,000)Subaru Impreza WRX: Underwhelming or otherwise, Subaru’s new WRX performance sedan is due in late March, ahead of a hotter-again STI version by mid-year. (Approximately $40,000)Volkswagen Golf GTI Performance: The upgraded Golf GTI Performance pack will complete the GTI lineup during 2014, with an extra 7kW, bigger brakes, tricky diff, plus xenon headlights, LED taillights, 19 inch wheels, and alcantara added to the tartan cloth interior trim. (Approximately $47,990)Volkswagen Golf R: The all-wheel drive Golf R performance flagship is also expected in 2014, with 206kW and 380Nm promising performance to trump all before it. (Approximately $50,000)FAMILY CARSFord Falcon: The once-mighty Falcon range is set to undergo its final facelift in the fourth quarter of 2014, ahead of it’s now certain doom in 2016. Minor styling revisions are expected, but the addition of Ford’s SYNC multimedia system and the return of the XR8 V8 model (as FPV is wound up) are likely to be the biggest changes. Approximately 37,000-56,000Infiniti Q50: Infiniti models are set to become a more common sight on Australian roads before June, with the Mercedes C-Class and BMW 3 Series-rivalling Q50’s arrival, boasting fresh styling, rear-wheel drive, and a choice of diesel or hybrid drivetrains. (Approximately $51,900-$73,900)Skoda Octavia RS: The Czech brand will launch the hot Octavia RS in the second quarter, with the petrol version matching the new Volkswagen Golf GTI mechanically, and the diesel version is expected to continue with the same spec as the Golf GTD available overseas. (Approximately from $40,000)Volvo S60 and V60: Volvo will introduce the first of its new Drive-E engines to the S60 sedan and V60 wagon range in March, with power and efficiency gains promised, along with a new eight-speed auto. (Approximately $49,000-$78,000)PEOPLE MOVERSHonda Odyssey: An all-new Odyssey eight-seat people mover will follow in February, with fresh styling, improved features and safety and a more efficient drivetrain. (Approximately $35,000-$43,000)Kia Grand Carnival: Later in the year, Kia will replace the segment-champion but ageing Grand Carnival model. Improvements to safety, features, and efficiency are expected, and should be a winner if the smaller new Rondo is anything to go by. (Approximately $39,000-56,000)SUV/4WDBMW X1: The baby bimmer SUV is also in line for a refreshing in March, with styling and interior tweaks expected. (Approximately 46,000-63,000)Ford Territory: The Territory SUV will also score similar SYNC-inclusive revisions at around the same time, ahead of the same 2016 fate. (Approximately $40,000-$63,000)Honda CR-V diesel: Honda will kick off 2014 by adding the first-ever diesel variant to the local CR-V SUV lineup in January. The 2.2 litre unit produces 110kW/350Nm, and will be available in six-speed manual or five-speed auto with all-wheel drive only. Official fuel consumption is as low as 5.8L/100km. (Approximately $35,000-$45,000)Isuzu MU-X: Isuzu will introduce the seven-seat MU-X in January, with the company’s first SUV sharing much of its design with the D-Max ute and Holden Colorado and Colorado 7 models. The MU-X will be equipped with the same 3.0-litre diesel engine as the D-Max, and offer family 4WD toughness for a lot less than Toyota’s Prado. (Approximately $40,500-$53,500)Kia Sorento: The final Kia model for 2014 is likely to be a significantly revamped Sorento seven-seat SUV, with a comprehensive design update inside and out to bring it in line with the fresher styling of its Hyundai Santa Fe mechanical twin. (Approximately $38,000-$51,000)Land Rover Range Rover Evoque: The stylish Range Rover Evoque is due for an update before June, with a new nine-speed auto delivering fuel economy gains of about 10 per cent, plus styling tweaks to bring it in line with the new full-size Range Rover and Sport models. (Approximately $50,000-$91,000)Mercedes-Benz GLA: Mercedes will bring the new A-Class-based GLA SUV to our shores in May, with the all-new model taking the fight to the Audi Q3 and BMW X1 in the premium compact SUV segment. Priced from about $45,000, the GLA will be available in front or 4MATIC all-wheel drive and engines from launch will include the 115kW/250Nm 1.6-litre GLA200 and 155kW/350Nm 2.0-litre GLA250 petrols, and 100kW/300Nm 2.2-litre GLA200 CDI and 125kW/350Nm 2.2-litre GLA220 CDI turbodiesel options. (Approximately from $45,000)Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV: Mitsubishi will introduce its first hybrid model in April, in the form of the plug-in hybrid Outlander SUV. Priced from about $50,000, the Outlander PHEV promises Holden Volt-rivalling efficiency for about $10,000 less, and wrapped within a more practical SUV body. (Approximately from $50,000)Nissan Pathfinder hybrid: Nissan will complete its new Pathfinder SUV lineup in the second quarter, with the addition of a new petrol-electric hybrid variant to help silence the naysayers lamenting the lack of a diesel option in the new model. The 187kW/329Nm hybrid drivetrain uses a 15kW electric motor paired with a supercharged 2.5 litre four cylinder petrol engine, resulting in a claimed 25 per cent fuel efficiency gain. (Approximately $55,000-$60,000)Nissan X-Trail: Nissan will replace its hugely successful X-Trail medium SUV in about July, with the bigger design offering seating for seven for the first time, and improved refinement to go with its softened exterior design. (Approximately $30,000-$47,000)Skoda Octavia Scout: The Octavia RS will be followed by the jacked-up Scout AWD variant in about mid-year. (Approximately $40,000-$45,000)Toyota Kluger: Toyota will introduce the third-generation of its Kluger large SUV in the first quarter, with the all-new larger model promising improved seating for seven and fresh styling, but its continued reliance on a petrol V6 might threaten its sales success next to the diesel and hybrid options offered by most rivals. (Approximately $40,000-$60,000)Volvo XC60: Volvo’s new Drive-E engines will also appear in the XC60 SUV in March, with power and efficiency gains promised, along with a new eight-speed auto. (Approximately $57,000-79,000)COMMERCIAL VEHICLESFord Transit: Ford’s commercial lineup will receive a boost in January with the arrival of an all-new Transit van model, with the light-duty Transit Custom touching down ahead of the heavy-duty Transit Cargo range in April. (Approximately $36,000-$52,000) 

None of us wants to crash our shiny new car but, if we do, we want to know we're safe. That's where the Australian New Car Assessment Program's standardised crash-testing analysis is invaluable, providing comparable ratings for vehicles of all types.The ANCAP site notes that a one-star car is twice as likely to kill you as a five-star model. Carsguide examines ANCAP's results to find the best of breed in each segment. It's worth noting the advanced software in some cars that readies the vehicle if a crash is imminent are disabled during the official tests. Cars are scored out of 37 points after the following tests.FRONTAL OFFSET TEST: The subject vehicle is accelerated to 64km/h and rammed into a deformable alloy barrier to simulate a head-on crash. To increase the severity and reproduce real-world conditions only 40 per cent of the car hits the wall - equating to a driver swerving to avoid an oncoming vehicle.SIDE IMPACT TEST: The T-bone hit rams a 950kg trolley into the side of the car at 50km/h. The sled has an alloy face to simulate the front of another vehicle, which deforms and absorbs some of the impact.PEDESTRIAN TEST: Simulates the results of hitting a pedestrian at 40km/h. The test assesses adult and child impacts, given their heads and limbs strike different areas of the car.POLE TEST: This is the most demanding test in the ANCAP repertoire. Trees and poles don't deform, so all the crash energy is transferred to the vehicle. The car is put on a sled and propelled towards a fixed steel pole at 29km/h.SAFEST SMALL CARSAUDI A3 36.41 See reviews of this carOfficially the best small car to occupy in an accident. Impressively, the windscreen pillar didn't move after a 64km/h hit with the concrete block.  HONDA INSIGHT 36.39 See reviews of this carIts score reflects a 3mm movement of the pillar in the frontal offset test and "slight risk" of serious leg injury for driver and passenger.   BMW 1 SERIES HATCH 36.33 See reviews of this carThere's a slight risk of serious chest injury for the driver in the frontal and side crash test and a slight risk of serious leg injury for the passenger in the frontal crash.   SAFEST MEDIUM CARSMERCEDES B-CLASS 36.78 See reviews of this carTops the charts with the highest score of any car in ANCAP database. Technically there's a 4mm movement of the front pillar and a slight risk of injury to the passenger leg closest the door.  BMW 3 SERIES 36.76 See reviews of this carBarely behind. It showed a 1mm movement of the pillar and there was a slight risk of serious injury to the driver's and passenger's legs.VOLVO V40 36.67 See reviews of this carThe only loss of points occurred during the frontal crash test, with a slight risk of serious injury to the front occupants' legs closest the door and the driver's chest.SAFEST LARGE CARSTOYOTA AURION 36.59 See reviews of this carFirst place in this class makes it the only locally built vehicle in any top-three line-up. There's a slight risk of lower leg injury for driver and passenger.   BMW 5 Series 36.53 See reviews of this carNot a bad place to be in the event of an accident either. It blitzed the side impact tests and only lost fractions of points in the head-on hit.    VOLVO S60 36.34 See reviews of this carSweden maintains its safety credentials. The passenger compartment stayed intact with only a 1mm movement of the front pillar.    SAFEST COMPACT SUVS SUBARU XV 35.53 See reviews of this carLike the slightly lower-riding Impreza, the XV scored highly in all crashes, with a slight risk of injury to the front occupants' chests and legs.    HOLDEN TRAX 35.18 See reviews of this carThe surprise packet. One of the smaller cars in the class has only a slight risk of serious leg injury for those in the front in a head-on crash.   Skoda Yeti 34.67 See reviews of this carDepite being one of the older examples in this segment, the Yeti still rates well for safety, with only a slight risk of serious leg injury for those in the front in a head-on crash.    SAFEST MEDIUM SUVSVOLVO XC60 36.53 See reviews of this carANCAP says the cabin 'held its shape extremely well" in the frontal test, with the pillar shifting just 3mm. There was a slight risk of serious chest and leg injuries to the driver.  FORD KUGA 36.33 See reviews of this carA solid second, posing a slight risk of serious chest injury for both front seat occupants. The front pillar moved 15mm.   HONDA CR-V 35.91 See reviews of this carPlaced well despite being penalised for the foot-operated park brake moving upwards and back. Structurally there was only a 2mm movement of the pillar.  SUBARU FORESTER 35.64 See reviews of this carTested this year, it scored highly in all crashes, with a slight risk of injury to the front occupants' chests and legs.   SUBARU OUTBACK 35.52 See reviews of this carFills the brand's quinella. Crashed in 2008 and at the time topped the charts as the safest vehicle ANCAP had tested. SAFEST LARGE SUVSMERCEDES-BENZ ML 36.34 See reviews of this car Luxury SUV has a slight risk of serious chest injury for driver and passenger in the head-on hit and a slight risk of serious leg injury for the passenger. The pillar moved 2mm. RANGE ROVER 36.19 See reviews of this carBig Brit has a slight risk of serious chest injury for the driver and the pillar shifted by 15mm.   NISSAN PATHFINDER 35.73 See reviews of this carSlight risk of serious leg injury for the driver. Unlike the other two, it applies to the upper leg as well as the expected lower-leg hits. Docked points for a marginal pedestrian impact result.

The hybrid SUV market is becoming a war ground as Nissan today announces a hybrid version of its forthcoming Pathfinder. The seven-seat wagon, based on the Murano and Maxima, comes up against the long-standing Lexus RX450h and near-future players including the Mitsubishi Outlander and Volvo XC60.Nissan's announcement coincides with the end of a diesel-engine option in the Pathfinder that, in its 2014 guise, also dispenses with a full-frame ladder frame and becomes a monocoque body. The hybrid, shown at the New York motor show earlier this year, has a supercharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine mated to a single electric motor. It uses a lithium-ion battery pack that is beneath the third-row seat and has a regenerative braking system.The motor is relatively low in power at just 15kW but is enough to boost overall power to 187kW/329Nm - close to the 195kW/336Nm of the 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine that becomes standard in the new Pathfinder. Nissan claims the hybrid is about 25 per cent more economical than the V6, indicating an average of about 8.5 litres/100km.In the US the Hybrid is available in front or all-wheel drive and uses a CVT transmission. Nissan Australia hasn't revealed if one or both drivetrains are coming here. Like the Patrol and X-Trail, the Pathfinder all-wheel drive version has selectable front-drive, automatic "on demand" AWD or 4WD lock.The Pathfinder Hybrid has the same cabin space and flexibility as the non-hybrid models. It also has Nissan's "EZ Flex" seats that has a sliding second row with 60/40 split and fold functions. The slide function can be accessed even if a baby seat is attached. The third row seat is a 50/50 split-fold design that reclines for passenger comfort - a feature Nissan claims is not available on other SUVs in its class. The second and third seat rows also fold flat for maximum cargo space.In the US, Nissan claims the hybrid will be tow 1600kg. The Pathfinder Hybrid is expected to be launched at $55,000-$60,000, a premium of about 10 per cent on the entry-level ST model. Nissan was chewing over a 3-litre V6 turbo-diesel - also used in the Infiniti range - to appease lovers of diesels, but it was an easier fit to pick up the US-specced hybrid model. However, that may not preclude the diesel engine from making an appearance as an option later in the year. 

Nissan's new Pathfinder will arrive here in October with $9000 slashed off the entry price to each spec level with new two-wheel drive versions. The seven-seat Pathfinder range will start with the two-wheel drive ST at $39,990 rather than the outgoing range's base price of $48,990 for the all-paw.Nissan says the Pathfinder -- built on the same platform as the coming Altima sedam -- will continue with three spec levels, each of which will be available with either 2WD or AWD. The base ST asks an extra $4300 for the $44,290 all-wheel drive version. The mid-spec ST-L is $50,290 in 2WD form or $4000 more at $54,290 for the all-paw -- a rise of $5400. The Ti flagship will set you back $60,790 for 2WD and $4100 more at $64,890 for the AWD, a drop of $1500 over the outgoing $66,390 Ti and $11,500 off the $76,390 Ti 550 that topped the range.Two-wheel drive SUVs are becoming increasingly popular for their economy benefits, and the Pathfinder has been strategically priced to launch into a field that includes the Ford Territory, cheaper Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Sorento -- but also the more expensive, but popular, Mazda CX-9 and Toyota Kluger.As reported earlier this year, the diesel engines are gone from the launch range, with the new Pathfinder kicking off with only a 194kW/325Nm 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine matched to a CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission).However, also on the cards is a supercharged 2.5 litre four cylinder, paired with a single electric motor and lithium-ion battery system. The 15kW electric motor is small by hybrid standards but combines with the petrol engine to produce 187kW/329Nm. Nissan will reveal full specification details closer to the launch date.2013 Nissan Pathfinder pricesNissan Pathfinder ST 2WD  $39,990Nissan Pathfinder ST-L 2WD $50,290Nissan Pathfinder Ti 2WD $60,790Nissan Pathfinder ST 4WD $44,290Nissan Pathfinder ST-L 4WD  $54,290Nissan Pathfinder Ti 4WD $64,890

Now the seven-seat wagon that capably pounded the outback as easily as cruise the city is being replaced by a sponge-cake version based on the Murano SUV and Maxima sedan.Australia gets the fourth-generation Pathfinder late this year, more than 12 months after it went on sale in the US. The US gets only a 194kW 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine and though Nissan Australia spokesman Peter Fadeyev can't reveal our final engine choices, it's likely we'd follow suit with this sole offering. “The engine line-up, along with Australian prices and specifications, will be announced closer to the time of Pathfinder's local release,” he says.The problem may be the engine layout. The next Pathfinder is based on the Murano platform - also shared with the Maxima - which has a transverse-mounted engine, unlike the longitudal layout of the current model which also supports a turbo-diesel. No global Nissan market sells a transversely-mounted turbo-diesel engine in the Murano platform.However, Nissan associate company Renault uses the platform with a 180kW/450Nm 3-litre V6 turbo-diesel (or 2-litre four-cylinder oiler) in the Korean-built Latitude sedan. The upcoming Pathfinder will come only with a continuously-variable transmission (CVT) and will no longer have a low-range transfer case.Carsguide visited the Pathfinder on the Nissan stand at last week's Chicago motor show. It's longer, wider but considerably lower than the current model, while its 50mm wheelbase extension - now 2900mm - gives adult space in the third-row seat.More cabin room comes because the intrusive ladder-frame platform is gone. The signature “invisible” rear door handles of the current model have been replaced with the more conventional door handles while the grille styling moves away from the truck-like look and will become more passenger-car in appearance.The cabin is also more like a car, picking up Maxima-like controls while emphasising family-oriented storage spaces. The introduction of the soft-roader Pathfinder won't change the more workhorse ute version, the Navara, which will remain a diesel and retain the longitudal engine layout on a ladder-frame chassis.Nissan Australia's Fadeyev also says we won't get the bigger Titan ute - a 5.7m long dual-cab or extended-cab model using a 5.6-litre petrol V8 or Cummins diesel - and instead will remain with the smaller Navara.

...bombs and all.