It’s done: Nissan confirms Pathfinder’s demise in New Zealand
Words: Andrew Sluys
Nissan has confirmed the Pathfinder will no longer be available in New Zealand once current dealer stocks run dry.
This was revealed to NZ Autocar by Andrew Humberstone, Nissan Australia’s Managing Director during an interview.
“Pathfinder is at the end of its life, we told the dealers last week,” Mr Humberstone said.
“The Pathfinder is an amazing product as it is, and loved by so many, it’s US based, is on the US dollar, and there’s no future HEV or hybrid version coming.”
The current-generation Nissan Pathfinder was introduced in 2022, as a rival to Toyota’s V6-powered Highlander.
Unlike the Toyota, Nissan wasn’t able to offer the Pathfinder with hybrid power, instead sticking with the thirsty 3.5-litre petrol V6.
While some lauded the US-built Pathfinder for its big engine and large interior space, rising fuel costs have left it as an outsider in the large SUV segment.
When asked about whether or not Nissan was looking to replace the outgoing Pathfinder with another seven-seat SUV, Humberstone hinted towards a hybrid-powered replacement coming from the brand’s allegiance with Dongfeng.
“The alternatives could be through any of our joint ventures. Be it Dongfeng, which is something we’re looking at very actively,” he added.
Without the Pathfinder in Nissan’s local line-up, customers looking for a seven-seat SUV will either have to wait for the new V6-powered Y63 Patrol, or look elsewhere.
