The Nissan Pathfinder seven-seater has received an update in the US, but it is no guarantee for Australia as the model's local future remains uncertain.
Family Cars
The updated 2026 Nissan Pathfinder seven-seat SUV has debuted in the United States, however, it is not guaranteed for Australia.
Nissan has revised the front and rear bumpers of the Pathfinder for 2026 to align it with recent models, including the Patrol Y63 and the updated X-Trail, along with a new 'Baltic Teal' colour and satin badging.
Inside, the Pathfinder gains a larger 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen – up from nine inches – with updated software capable of running Apple CarPlay and Android Auto wirelessly.
There's also a redesigned wireless smartphone charger for "faster, more consistent charging" with a cooling fan and a magnetic connection, seeing its maximum power output increase from five to 15 watts.
Meanwhile, revisions to its surround-view camera system add a 180-degree wide view for improved front and side visibility, and an 'invisible' bonnet view underneath the vehicle.
In the US, the off-road-focused Rock Creek variant – which is not offered in Australia – adds a panoramic sunroof, a wireless smartphone charger, a 12-volt power outlet in the boot, and a heated steering wheel.
Black roof rails are now fitted to the range-topping Pathfinder Platinum, which is similar to Australia's Ti-L, along with a new 20-inch alloy wheel design, seat quilting patterns and wood-tone trim.
The Pathfinder retains its 202kW/340Nm 3.5-litre naturally-aspirated petrol V6 engine and nine-speed torque-converter automatic, rather than adopting the related Murano's 2.0-litre turbo-four or Nissan's e-Power hybrid system.
"We can’t comment on future product plans," a Nissan Australia spokesperson said when asked about the 2026 Pathfinder.
The local future of the US-built Pathfinder is in doubt amid the lack of hybrid power and poor currency exchange rates.
Nissan Oceania managing director Andrew Humberstone admitted earlier this year the seven-seater is not selling as well as the brand hoped.
"The problem we've got with Pathfinder is it's an amazing car. [We] love the car," Humberstone told Drive in January 2025.
"People love the car. [But] we have an FX [currency exchange rate] issue. It comes from the US and it's challenging at the moment.
"In terms of its longevity, we need to understand … there's a Trump impact at the moment. We need to understand how that impacts on tariffs and things like that. So there are global macroeconomic components that could influence that.
"But as a product we love it and I think there's a lot more that we should be doing to build that nameplate."
Humberstone added the lack of a hybrid system has cost Pathfinder sales in Australia, with petrol-electric powertrains available for the Toyota Kluger, Hyundai Palisade and Mazda CX-80.
"Yeah, I would say it [the lack of a hybrid] has [cost Pathfinder sales]," he said.
The all-wheel-drive Pathfinder V6 is claimed to use 88 per cent more fuel than an equivalent Toyota Kluger Hybrid, at 10.5L/100km compared to 5.6L/100km.
"I think if we had an e-Power version probably [it would've done better], but again, [given] the production base, it wasn't an option."
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Jordan is a motoring journalist based in Melbourne with a lifelong passion for cars. He has been surrounded by classic Fords and Holdens, brand-new cars, and everything in between from birth, with his parents’ owning an automotive workshop in regional Victoria. Jordan started writing about cars in 2021, and joined the Drive team in 2024.
