This is a model that was once sold here, but was permanently withdrawn from the Nissan catalog a few years ago: Tracer. Based on the ladder chassis of the Navara pick-up, it was the equivalent of an SUV, a real reliable utility distributed in France from 2005 to 2013. At that time, Nissan’s model range consisted of several crossovers: Juke, Qashqai, Murano and two SUVs: X-Trail and Terrano II. It was the last one he had until then, starting with his the first generation of 1986, responsible for providing Nissan’s European range of 4X4 ​​SUVs. Nissan decided to match the name of the Pathfinder model in 2005, which was already called the Pathfinder in the US. Europe loves crossovers more than SUVs finally abandoned it in 2013, after three generations. Priority here is given to Juke, Qashqai and X-Trail.

New SUV to support Terra

It still exists in the United States, marketed as an unprecedented fifth generation launched in 2022. However, it has not been distributed in China before. Nissan, along with its partner Dongfeng, sells several crossovers and SUVs, some of which are not available here.. Kicks, Juke, Qashqai, X-Trail, Terra and Murano. Even though the Pathfinder was never sold there, it’s coming to China in a big way! This is what the concept car of the same name, which is delivered, offers just unveiled at the Shanghai Motor Show. It will be placed in the same segment as Terra a more luxurious, more upscale, less utilitarian alternative. Because that’s what makes the Terra special: it’s based on the Navara pickup platform. Pathfinder will have a new platform, and will be based on a (more comfortable) sedan platform.

Sports crossover

Visually, the advancement to a high level compared to Terra is obvious. It has a more sporty silhouette. Its lines are less geometric, the projectors are more modern. They are displayed original striped design, which extend to the edges of the grid. There grille with illumination displays the name PATHFINDER in the upper right. It’s a nod to the first Pathfinder that featured the NISSAN script here. The sporty appearance is even more pronounced at the rear, thanks to the very high fender. The lights are narrowed and connected by a light strip. Atmosphere on board zen and refined, but the center screen seems abnormally small by Chinese standards. Nissan has not yet announced its technical side. What we do know is that it will be equipped four-cylinder gasoline unit and four-wheel drive. Very close to the production version, it will be introduced in the coming weeks…