$60K Pathfinder – Is this the best value new 4×4 on the market?

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Yep, Nissan have released the ST-L, a new model variant of the ever-popular Pathfinder, and they’ve gone ahead and knocked a princely 12 grand off the previous price, bringing it just below sixty gorillas. Nice one, Nismo-san.

The Nissan Pathfinder ST-L joins the Ti and flagship Ti-L models, making it a three-variant marque. All are powered by the venerable 3.5L V6 petty engine, which pumps out a respectable 270hp bolted up to a 9-speed auto. However, it’s not all cheap GT-Rs and not ever mentioning the Qashqai, there’s some not great news as well. The below $60K price point is for the 2WD version only (booo!), but the 4X4 version of the ST-L is still $64,170, which is way below the Prado ($72,500) and is even cheaper than the Chinese GWM Tank ($66,490), so it represents some pretty solid bang for dollarydoo.

And look, we have to admit having a bit of a soft spot for the old Pathy here at Unsealed4X4, with a few of us having got around in the classic hard-angle, flat-nosed two-door that originally came down under in the late 80s, which the new version pays homage to.

Nissan ST-L Pathfinder
Under the hood, Nissan Pathfinder ST-L © Nissan

“The latest generation Pathfinder boasts a bold, truck-like grille with a squared-off profile like the original model,” says Nissan Australia Marketing Director Sriram Padmanabhan, “And now features a premium cabin incorporating high levels of safety and technology. We’re thrilled to be able to unlock the fun and adventure a Pathfinder provides, delivering more choice to the Australian consumer and ensuring the Pathfinder is a value-packed proposition, no matter which model you choose.”

Entry level Nissan Pathfinder ST-L inclusions

Even on the entry-level Nissan Pathfinder ST-L, there are a bunch of inclusions, gadgetry and safety mod-cons like 18in rims, dusk-sensing LED headlights and fog lights, a 10.8 Heads-Up Display, 7 TFT Advanced Drive-Assist Display and a 9-inch infotainment and navigation unit. It’s pretty well decked out for the coin. There are seven different driving and off-road modes, including a tow mode which, along with the 2.7T tow capacity, delivers the torque right where you want it. Pretty trick.

Check the deets of all the different models for yourself below:

2024 Nissan Pathfinder price list (MSRP)*

Please note: All prices have been updated for 2024

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  • Nissan Pathfinder ST-L 2WD – $59,670
  • Nissan Pathfinder ST-L 4WD – $64,170
  • Nissan Pathfinder Ti 2WD – $67,990
  • Nissan Pathfinder Ti 4WD – $72,490
  • Nissan Pathfinder Ti-L 4WD – $82,490
Nissan Pathfinder ST-L
Nissan Pathfinder ST-L © Nissan

2024 Nissan Pathfinder grade walk:

ST-L 2WD

  • 3.5-litre direct-injection V6 petrol and nine-speed automatic (202kW/340Nm)
  • 8-seat capacity
  • 2.7-tonne tow braked capacity# with Tow Mode and Trailer Stability program#
  • Standard, Sport, Eco, Snow and Tow modes (2WD) + Mud and Sand Terrain modes (4WD)
  • Hill Descent Control (4WD only)
  • Heated, folding rear mirrors
  • Privacy glass
  • Power tailgate operation
  • Roof rails
  • Remote-engine start for cabin pre-cooling or heating
  • Leather-accented~ steering wheel
  • Dusk-sensing LED headlights with High Beam Assist and daytime running lights
  • LED front fog lights
  • Shift-by-wire with steering wheel paddle shifters
  • 7.0” TFT Advanced Drive-Assist® Display 
  • 10.8” Head-Up Display 
  • 9.0” touchscreen with navigation, inbuilt Android Auto™> and wireless Apple CarPlay®>
  • Tyre pressure monitoring system 
  • Electric park brake
  • Intelligent key system with inbuilt vehicle alarm system
  • 8-way power driver’s seat and 6-way manual passenger’s seat adjust
  • Heated front seats
  • Tri-zone air conditioning 
  • DAB+ 6-speaker radio with voice command
  • 4 USB charging ports
  • Digital Around View Monitor with moving object detection
  • ProPILOT⁺ semi-autonomous driving assistance
  • Front and rear parking sensors
  • Rear spoiler
  • 18” inch alloys 
  • Full Nissan Intelligent Mobility safety suite including Predictive Forward Collision Warning with Junction Assist and Emergency Braking (calibrated for pedestrians and cyclists), Driver Attention Alert, Blind Spot Warning and Intervention, Lane Departure Warning and Prevention, Rear Cross Traffic Alert and back-up collision intervention, Intelligent Cruise Control with adjustable speed limiter, Traffic Sign Recognition with overspeed prevention
  • Rear Seat Alert system
  • 9 airbags, including new far-side airbag
Nissan Pathfinder ST-L © Nissan

ST-L 4WD adds:

  • Intelligent 4×4 with seven drive & terrain modes

Ti 2WD adds:

  • Auto-dimming rear mirror
  • Heated second-row outboard seats
  • Leather accented~ trim for seats and doors
  • Built-in Rear window sunshades
  • Wireless smartphone charging pad
  • Silver Roof Rails
  • 13-speaker Bose® audio system
  • Additional USB charging outlet for the third row of seats

Ti 4WD adds:

  • Intelligent 4×4 with seven drive & terrain modes

Ti-L 4WD adds:

  • Intelligent 4×4 with seven drive & terrain modes
  • Second-row captain’s chairs (7-seat capacity)
  • Metal front kick plates
  • Premium dash trim
  • Reverse tilt door mirrors with memory function
  • Intelligent Rear View Mirror
  • Rain-sensing wipers
  • Power-adjust steering wheel with memory function
  • Driver’s seat memory function
  • 4-way power assist passenger’s seat
  • Ventilated front seats
  • Semi-aniline quilted leather accented~ seat trim
  • Wrap-around ambient lighting
  • 12.3″ TFT Advanced Drive-Assist® Display instrument cluster 
  • Tilt-slide front sunroof and panoramic glass roof
  • Chrome side mouldings
  • 20-inch alloy wheels
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Dex Fulton

Dex Fulton

Articles: 59

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6 Comments

  1. Let me start with, I own a 2016 Pathfinder ST and love the car for what it is. But to put the current Pathfinder in the same sentence as a Prado or GWM Tank is laughable. Both the Toyota and GWM are traditional 4x4s with proper 4×4 capabilities. The Pathfinder is only a soft off roader AWD. So promote the Pathy for what it actually is.

  2. There should be a 2.5 litre diesel variant option and at least 3 tonne towing capacity like what was available in the R51 2012 series. I have had a number of Nissans and most Pathfinders over the years including a Terrano R50 (Grey Import) with the ZD 30 engine and now I am looking for another brand to replace my Pathfinder. Sorry Nissan but you have lost another customer, the Terra and X-terra series should have been brought to Australia for the right hand drive market as a good replacement for the R51 series.

  3. Why report “respectable 270hp”…..we have been Kilowatts for years. I know the formula times hp by .746…but why.
    More and more reporters use HP and then use Newton Meters for torque

  4. OK, as mentioned in other comments, this is a crossover not a 4X4. It’s basically an evolution of the old Nissan Maxima and Murano platform. It is offers additional traction for snow, can be driven on grass and a bit of dirt, perhaps hard packed sand and that’s about it. It is in no way comparable to anything with low range, decent ground clearance, wheel articulation and/or a separate chassis – actual 4X4’s. It also is not a successor to the original Pathfinder which was basically a Navara with a wagon body and rear coils, not a jacked-up car platform like it is now.

    You should update your heading to something like this:
    $60K Pathfinder – Is this the best value new SUV on the market?

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