Nissan Xtrail/pathfinder

Nissan’s SUVS get a makeover reports Damien O’carroll.

While Nissan has been rather quiet in New Zealand over the last few years, the company recently broke cover in a rather spectacular way at the Hampton Downs race track where it held a media day for the launch of the Nismo motorport brand in New Zealand, including Nismo versions of the 370Z sports car and the GT-R supercar. However, quietly lurking at the Waikato race track were two cars more relevant to this publication – facelift versions of the Pathfinder and X-trail SUVS. The popular X-trail has received a mild makeover for the 2017 model year, with a front end that includes a new grille and revised headlights with integrated LED daytime running lights. Other exterior tweaks for 2017 include new 19-inch alloy wheels and a shark-fin antenna on the roof. On the inside there are more extensive tweaks, with a new steering wheel, centre console, gear shift knob and a new door and vent finish. Up-spec models now get heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, high beam assist, a power tailgate, radar cruise control and forward collision warning with autonomous city braking. The X-trail range starts at $39,990 for the 2WD ST model, with the ST 4WD landing at $42,490. The ST-L 2WD costs $44,990, while the AWD ST-L is $47,490. The range is topped off by the AWD Ti that costs $53,40. All 2WD X-trails are now seven-seaters, while the AWD models are five-seaters. The X-trail’s bigger brother, the Pathfinder has come in for a far more extensive upgrade for 2017, with new, tougher front end that aligns it closer to the Navara ute. The Pathfinder scores new alloy wheel designs, taillights, LED daytime running lights for the 2017 model year, while satellite navigation is also available for the first time. The Pathfinder’s 3.5-litre petrol V6 has been significantly revised with 56 percent new components, resulting in an increase in power and torque over the last generation vehicle. Now with 202kw and 340Nm (compared with 190kw and 325Nm), the Pathfinder also gets revised suspension, with stiffer springs and new front and rear dampers, while the steering is 11 percent quicker. Inside the Pathfinder gets a new centre console and new seat inserts, with highspec models getting an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a rear seat entertainment system with two 8-inch screens, Bluetooth headphones and the ability to play three forms of media at the same time. Safety upgrades include autonomous emergency braking, radar cruise control and rear cross traffic alert. The revised Pathfinder range starts at $55,490 for the 2WD ST, with the AWD ST costing $59,990. The AWD ST-L lands at $65,490, while the top-spec AWD Ti finishes the range at $69,990.