Nissan Pathfinder

The Nissan Pathfinder is a crossover utility vehicle manufactured by the Japanese auto manufacturing company, Nissan Motors. The Nissan Pathfinder is based on the platform of the compact pickup truck of Nissan. The body size of the Nissan Pathfinder is slotted between the size of the Armada and Murano, but regarding price, it is slotted among the Murano and the Xterra. The traditional Japanese contender of the Pathfinder CUV is the Toyota 4Runner.

The first generation Nissan Pathfinder was originally brought in as a two-door sport utility vehicle, and shared most components and styling with the Nissan Hard-body Truck. Constructed on a ladder-style frame, the Nissan Pathfinder was the response of Nissan to the Ford Bronco, Chevrolet Blazer, Jeep Cherokee, and non-American sport utility vehicles, such as the Isuzu Trooper, Toyota 4Runner, and the Mitsubishi Montero.

Before the introduction of the Nissan Pathfinder, there was an aftermarket adaptation of the Datsun Truck called the Nissan Bushmaster, but they are also rare. One of the features that was exceptional at the time was an optional four-wheel drive system that could be used electronically while the truck was moving, coupled with a four-paced automatic transmission.

After three generations from 1985 to 2011, the fourth and the present generation of the Nissan Pathfinder was introduced during the year 2012 as R52 series vehicle. This redesigned Nissan Pathfinder went on sale during late October 2012 as the 2013 model vehicle. Just similar to the second generation Nissan Pathfinder, the 2013 Pathfinder again moved away from a body-on-structure, truck-derived sport utility vehicle and assumed a single body design. The Nissan Pathfinder rides on the similar platform as the Altima, Infiniti JX, Murano, Maxima, and Quest.

A concept, almost identical to the ultimate production model, was first unveiled at the International Auto Show in North America in 2012 and the Nissan Pathfinder was released for sale during September 2012. This fourth generation Nissan Pathfinder also discards the door handles that were positioned on the C pillar, which were available in the earlier three generations. From 2015, the Nissan Pathfinder R52 series vehicle is only available in Africa, North America, Australia, and the Middle East and in South Korea. The Nissan Pathfinder has not been programmed to sell in Japan.

The 2013 model Nissan Pathfinder was redesigned for the 2014 year model. As a result, the hybrid version of Pathfinder was introduced in two-wheel drive system and four-wheel drive system. This hybrid version of Pathfinder was equipped with a supercharged petrol engine and a 15 kW electric motor, coupled with a solid Lithium-ion battery. This battery was fixed beneath the third row seat, without affecting the space allotted for passengers and the cargo.

The Nissan Pathfinder hybrid model uses a Nissan Intelligent double clutch system that receives power from both the gas engine and the electric motor. The gas engine and the 15kW electric motor work in cycle to offer performance like the non-hybrid Pathfinder model.

The 2014 Nissan Pathfinder models introduced in Canada includes Pathfinder 4WD, 3.5-litre, V6 X, and the Pathfinder V6 S, whereas the 2014 Pathfinder Hybrid model includes Platinum, Premium, and SV.

Currently, the Nissan Pathfinder is being sold in some Asian, African, and Middle Eastern markets. Locally constructed Nissan Pathfinder was introduced in the Russian market during November 2014.