On Thursday, February 4th, Nissan North America revealed its 2022 Frontier mid-sized pickup and 2022 Pathfinder mid-sized SUV, stern competitors for Canyon, Colorado, Blazer and even XT4. Here’s brief details and impressions of products from a company that has brought or built pickups in the USA since 1959.
All-new for 2022, Frontier remains mid-sized with design that delivers a clean and highly integrated look, particularly the chiseled headlamps. Included are heritage cues from Hardbody, like the upright grill and semi-squared hood lines. Nissan says Frontier is now even more aimed at lifestyle buyers.
Generally, its appearance offers a flatter, interlocking grille that’s smoother, yet appears it could unpack at any moment into Optimus Prime. At the rear, the taillight is deeply chiseled into the fender as it wraps around. Lots of Titan cues, lots of color salted into most interiors. And yes, lux models will have color and leather.
Last year Nissan showed their all-new 3.8L engine with 310 horsepower mated to a 9-speed trans at Chicago Auto Show and every Frontier will use it.
2022 Nissan Frontier Highlights:
- Re-tuned rack and pinion steering is 16-percent faster, less tiring the company says.
- 6,720-pound tow, trailer sway control standard (and you know that will be a RWD model, right?).
- High-utility bed with factory spray-on bedliner and Utili-Track Channel System available.
- Two bed sizes available 73+-inch and 53-inch for King Cab (longer bed may be coming).
- All-new, intelligent around view monitor with Off Road mode. 9” infotainment screen available for that feature, and in all Frontiers.
- Fender 9-speaker audio and Q charger available. Apple CarPlay /Android Auto standard.
- New seats standard.
- Full Nissan safety suite, Safety Shield 360 available.
- PRO-4X highlights:
- Electronic locking differential
- Bilstein off road dampers and skid plates.
2022 Nissan Pathfinder
The all-new 2022 Nissan Pathfinder is more rectangular, yet more cosmopolitan and sophisticated, particularly from the rear where it’s wrap-around taillights dominate.
Nice tricks: blacked roof line creates a lower, sexier body line. Single level, “at eye-glance height” IP visually connects to infotainment. Rear proportions are spot on, the light (window) a perfect Goldilocks size.
2022 Nissan Pathfinder
Every model is equipped with 284-horsepower 3.5-liter Direct Injection V6 with 259 lb-ft of torque and hallelujah, a 9-speed transmission replaces the CVT.
- 6,000-pound tow capacity with trailer sway control standard.
- Roomier 3rd row
- Digital dashboard delivers 9” center touch display; wireless Car Play and Bose 13-speakers available
- AEB and other safety features standard, as is collision avoidance and auto high beam.
- AWD system has 7-position Drive and Terrain Modes.
- 4WD system is directly coupled for direct torque transfer.
- Dual-pinion EPAS
The 2022 Pathfinder is all-new from the wheels up. The new design incorporates a massive front presence and larger tire appearance – giving it an authentic, rugged SUV feel from the start. Overall width has increased 1.2 inches for an imposing look, while overall length remains approximately the same as the previous generation – the right size for maneuvering parking lots and trails alike.