The Nissan Pathfinder is approaching its 40th anniversary next year, and while the current version and the original have distinct differences, the core DNA is still there; the XE-V6 concept from SEMA serves as a great reminder of where this off-roader comes from and where it’s going. While my denial keeps me from believing the Pathfinder is almost four decades old, I can’t deny that my college roommate and I off-roaded with reckless abandon in an example that had served his family well for years before we subjected it to our shenanigans.
Nissan gets the Pathfinder off road-ready.
The early Pathfinders rightfully earned a reputation as adventure-ready 4x4s, and the current version is a three-row family SUV, but the XE-V6 proves that it can still head into the backcountry. Starting with the most noticeable, and arguably most important modification, this concept is riding on a custom 4-inch suspension lift with a cradle spacer. This, paired with 35-inch Yokohama Geolandar M/T tires, provides plenty of lift and on-trail capability. The prototype 18-inch NISMO AX-5 wheels are a standout, and we’d love to see something like this offered in the NISMO parts program.
The more aggressive stance and tires match up well with the custom high-clearance tube bumpers. Up front, a WARN M800S winch is ready for recovery duties, and custom rock rails and skid plates protect the undercarriage. On the back, a full-size spare, recovery points, and a hitch are ready for action. Rounding out the color-matched accessories, the roof rack and integrated accessory panels handle cargo cases, fuel storage, and extra lighting. Props to the team for not landing on basic black with the tube construction of the bumpers and roof rack. While there’s nothing wrong with black, this bronze hue gives the build a distinctive look. While some of the modifications are more of a reach, this roof rack and accessories appear to be a relatively easy offering for the production Pathfinder.
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All of these awesome modifications are powered by the same V6 found in the current production Pathfinder Rock Creek. It has 295 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque paired to a 9-speed automatic transmission, and boasts a 6,000 lb. towing capacity. The Rock Creek version clocks 21 mpg, and while the lift and accessories probably chip away at this, we expect it’s still a respectable number.
Beyond the nuts and bolts, the retro graphics are a superb touch. Again, maybe leaning on a bit of nostalgia, but graphics, when properly executed, are a nice stylistic touch. We think the Nissan team knocked this one out of the park.
Whether all of these modifications will eventually land on a production Pathfinder remains to be seen, and obviously some would be easier than others. Regardless, it’s nice to see the concept lean into the Pathfinder’s off-road heritage and the fun the team can have with a build like this. With the production Rock Creek version pulling from previous SEMA concepts, we expect some trickle-down from the XE-V6 in future updates to the Pathfinder lineup. Plus, Nissan has stated they’re gauging interest with these concepts, so let them know what you like on their socials.
