Nissan Pathfinder gains N-Trek treatment

NISSAN Australia has introduced a special-edition N-Trek version of its evergreen Pathfinder seven-seat large SUV, sporting blacked-out body detailing and black-finished alloy wheels among various cosmetic upgrades.

Priced from $46,840 plus on-road costs for the front-drive ST+ N-Trek, and from $57,140 for the better-equipped ST-L N-Trek, all Pathfinder N-Trek models command a $1500 premium over the spec levels upon which they are based.

As per the rest of the Pathfinder line-up, the ST+ N-Trek and ST-L N-Trek are also available in four-wheel-drive configuration for an additional $3500.

Based on the Pathfinder ‘Rock Creek’ edition unveiled in North America last year, the US-built Pathfinder N-Trek brings unique six-spoke black 18-inch alloy wheels with machined faces, fitted with 255/60R18 tyres – 20mm wider than standard.

The black treatment also extends to a black mesh grille insert with gloss-black ‘V-motion’ surround, black wheelarch flares, black doorhandles, mirror caps and roof rails, black tailgate badges, black rear numberplate garnish and black lower bumper detailing.

At the front, there is also a silver lower bumper guard, adding to the N-Trek’s go-anywhere appearance.

Available in four colours – Ivory Pearl, Diamond Black, Gun Metallic and Caspian Blue – the Pathfinder N-Trek’s sole available drivetrain is a 202kW/340Nm 3.5-litre direct-injection petrol V6, tied to an ‘X-tronic’ CVT automatic transmission.

The regular Pathfinder’s 2.5-litre supercharged four-cylinder petrol-electric hybrid alternative will not be offered in N-Trek specification.

As is the case with all Pathfinder variants, the N-Trek models feature LED daytime running lights, heated mirrors, rear privacy glass, keyless entry, rear parking sensors with a rearview camera and predictive guidelines, a surround-view monitor with moving object detection, an 8.0-inch colour touchscreen with sat-nav, tri-zone climate control with air vents for all three seating rows, a six-way electric driver’s seat, adaptive cruise control, AEB with forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.

For just over 10 grand more, the ST-L N-Trek adds a two-pane glass sunroof, front foglights, auto-levelling LED headlights, electric steering column adjustment, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, leather upholstery with front seat heating and four-way electric passenger’s seat, and a 13-speaker Bose stereo.

Based on the facelifted Pathfinder range launched in March 2017, which included a comprehensive suspension makeover along with firmer, faster-geared steering for much-improved dynamic behaviour, the N-Trek models bring no mechanical changes over other MY20 Pathfinder variants.

Nissan Australia hopes that the styling appeal of the N-Trek will help arrest falling Pathfinder sales.

The now seven-year-old R52-series Pathfinder suffered a 29 per cent slide in 2019, achieving 2712 units for a lowly 17th place in the large SUV category.

This compares to 18,335 units for the segment-leading Toyota Prado, 11,371 for the Toyota Kluger and 7169 for the Mazda CX-9. Even BMW’s X5 (3498) outsold the Pathfinder.

The N-Trek edition follows a similar cosmetic treatment applied late last year to the X-Trail mid-size SUV, which in turn had followed on from the opening salvo Nissan fired with the Navara N-Trek ute.

The latter was later bolstered by the locally developed N-Trek Warrior, which includes a host of mechanical upgrades to boost its off-road ability.

2020 Nissan Pathfinder N-Trek pricing*

*Excludes on-road costs