Nissan Pathfinder may return to CUV roots, ditch body-on-frame again
The Nissan Pathfinder has done what was needed to take advantage of a sales trends: it started life as body-on-frame, then switched to unibody, then back to body-on-frame. Today, it shares the ladder platform with the Nissan Titan pickup and Armada SUV.
Speculation, however, is that the next generation Pathfinder could go back to unibody construction. Nissan isn't yet saying what it will do, but with the need to raise mileage -- as well as comfort -- a new Pathfinder CUV could be a win for everyone. And, as seen with the repackaging of the Ford Explorer America concept, a unibody build would give Nissan designers a lot more leeway to create something new and fresh.
The biggest issue appears to be what to do about the Pathfinder's different buyers in other countries. In America, the Pathfinder could probably sacrifice some off-road prowess and towing capacity and not suffer too much if at all. In Africa, every bit of the Pathfinder's off-road ability gets used, and customers there wouldn't accept the compromises of a softer CUV. It wouldn't be unheard of to keep building the Pathfinder on a ladder frame for other markets while creating a new one for America. The next generation is still a couple of years away, but Nissan will announce its decision later this year.
[Source: Car and Driver]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
nissan pathfinder 9:46PM (3/17/2008)
Hmm how much will be the resale value of a Nissan Pathfinder?
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Carlos 7:36AM (1/09/2008)
Why cant an off road SUV be a unibody?
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Azrael4h 8:11AM (1/09/2008)
Answer: It can. See the successful Jeep Cherokee; which is every bit as capable off the road as anything else in it's class.
However, perception is everything. A uni-body Pathfinder does not have to be incapable of going everywhere, but would it sell as well regardless?
Guenther 8:30AM (1/09/2008)
It goes beyond capability- the previous gen 'Finder was probably more capable off road, due to its flexier solid rear axle and LIGHTER WEIGHT. As for other unibody 4wd's, the XJ Cherokee is one of the most capable off-roaders you can have.
Nissan already has a CUV the same size as the Pathfinder in the Murano. I think they would be much better served in using the Pathfinder/Xterra/Frontier trio to roll out turbo diesels for the US.
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Corey W. 9:13AM (1/09/2008)
Advantages and disadvantages (compared to unibody)
Advantages
- Easier to design, build and modify (less of an issue now that CAD is commonplace), but still an advantage for coachbuilt vehicles.
- More suited for heavy duty usage and can be more durable.
- Easier to repair after accidents.
- Overall better ride quality for SUVs.
Disadvantages
- Heavier than unibody - lower performance and/or higher fuel consumption.
- Center of gravity is usually higher - compromising stability and handling.
- Less resistant to torsion (flexing of the whole car in corners) - compromising handling and roadholding.
- No crumple zone - higher rate of death and serious injury.
- Higher production costs.
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ambientFLIER 9:13PM (1/09/2008)
How would a frame make the ride better???
Corey W. 8:23AM (1/10/2008)
It can make the ride better in heavier SUV's where's handling has a greater effect on the chassis. Frame chassis are also mostly still used in trucks and SUVs due to good isolation between passenger cabin and road vibration.
h8rain 9:18AM (1/09/2008)
"Today, it shares the ladder platform with the Nissan Titan pickup and Armada SUV."
I remember an article about Nissan thinking about killing the Titan, and I knew it shared a platform with the Armada (and Infiniti QX56), but I figured the Pathfinder shared with the Frontier. If Nissan changes the platform, then that is one less vehicle using it.
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Dave T. 9:43AM (1/09/2008)
You and the author mean "latter" I believe unless there's some kind of elevated stepping device involved with the next gen pathfinder.
Doogs 9:28AM (1/09/2008)
Nissan already has a vehicle for that buyer who demands ruggedness, offroad capability, and reliability. It's called the Patrol.
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iamhoff 5:31PM (1/09/2008)
Exactly. The Patrol has been around pretty much as long as the original Land Cruiser and others of that ilk (Defender, CJ/MJ, Bronco, Scout 800, Pajero, etc.), and much like the current Land Cruiser, still retains wicked off road cred. Look at how well it sells in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Make the Pathie a CUV for the North American (and other) markets, keep the Xterra as the young hipster off roader with cred, and keep the Patrol around for non-North American markets who need Camel Trophy capabilities.
gotsmart 10:20AM (1/09/2008)
Why not make the more luxury-oriented Pathfinder a unibody, and keep the XTerra as the heavy-duty go-anywhere body-on-frame "truck" version... they're practically the same size anyway, and this is more or less how they're currently marketed.
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TheMadMilkman 10:25AM (1/09/2008)
I think that's exactly what they intend to do, although I wish that the Xterra was just slightly smaller. The previous generation remains my favorite SUV.
patrick 10:36AM (1/09/2008)
the story is wrong. the frontier/Xterra/Pathfinder are the same platform. I used to work for the company that makes the pedals for this platform, as does an autoblog contributor.
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Guenther 11:56AM (1/09/2008)
Not that it means much, but Nissan's own press statements have said that the midsize and fulsize trucks share a platform- maybe that's why the pathfinder weighs 5000#.
ambientFLIER 9:10PM (1/09/2008)
They don't share an identical platform. The pathfinder/xterra/frontier platform is smaller, but is based off the titan/armada one.
pacopaco 2:50PM (1/11/2008)
dave T - no, they do mean ladder. picture a ladder laying down, two main rails and cross bars. thats a ladder frame, vs a box frame.
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Krafty 12:07PM (1/09/2008)
As an owner of a 2006 Pathfinder, I think this would mistake. I purchased the Pathfinder for it's off road ability combined with it's towing ability. It suits our needs perfectly where no other vehicle would. I agree with other commenters - Nissan should concentrate on getting us good diesel options!!! We could have all of this utility and still get 25 MPG and tow BETTER!
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Tony 12:51PM (1/09/2008)
The next Pathfinder is going to move onto an extended version of the Nissan "D" platform and become a large 3-row crossover to compete with the GM Lambda vehicles. Wait and see, it will happen folks, just remember where you heard it first.
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Matt W. 3:01PM (1/09/2008)
Tony's right, Nissan needs to keep up with the Joneses, and the one thing they lack is a 3-row CUV to compete with GM's Lambdas, Toyota's Highlander, Honda's upcoming Pilot redesign, among other smaller players. Even Hyundai and Mazda have beaten them to the punch.
Changing the North American Pathfinder to the CUV format is better than introducing another model. Leave the off roading to the Xterra and Armada.
Anyway, its a shame that they won't have a model ready for when my wife and I need to upgrade at the end of our Murano's lease.