Nissan has unveiled two of its all-new 2022 models, the Frontier midsized truck and the Pathfinder SUV. Both are set to go on sale this summer in the U.S. Part of the company’s NEXT transformation plan, the models are two of the 10 new products coming within the next 20 months.
For those who like trucks
The 2022 Frontier design is aggressive, with a powerful front end sporting a massive grill and chiseled hood, framed by new precision interlocking headlights. Its wide stance and vertical fenders accentuate the high eye-point and shoulder bodysides. Precision lighting and muscular rear fenders combine for an athletic look. The truck is also available in 4 wheel-drive-only Frontier PRO-4X and 2 wheel-drive-only Frontier Pro-X models.
Its chassis and frame are designed to make it one of the most durable in its class. It comes standard with a 310-horsepower 3.8-liter direct injection V6 engine, that provides 281 lb.-ft. of torque. It has a 9-speed automatic transmission designed to provide strong acceleration and a 99% wider gear range versus the previous Frontier 5-speed design.
The Frontier’s front and rear suspensions, along with the hydraulic cab mounts, help provide a smooth ride with little road vibration noise.
The Frontier’s bed, which comes in either the standard 5-foot or a 6-foot option, includes a factory-applied spray-on bedliner and Utili-track Channel Systems, allowing for more cargo hauling flexibility through the use of three special “C” cross-section rails mounted in the bed. The truck’s towing capacity is 6,720 pounds and comes standard with Trailer Sway Control, which detects swaying and automatically applies the brakes to eliminate it for a safer towing experience.
Inside, the cab comes with a 9-inch color touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The new center stack is simplified, allowing for a user-friendly experience. It also has a 7.0-inch Advanced Driver Assist Display directly in front of the driver.
It comes with more storage in the form of a larger center console, as well as rear-door and front-door pocket storage areas.
For technology, the vehicle comes with a mix of wireless charging stations, two 12-volt outlets and two 110-volt outlets with 400-watt capacity.
It also sports the first application of Nissan Intelligent Around View Monitor with Moving Object Detection and Off-Road Mode. The around view provides a bird’s eye view by stitching together views from the four cameras mounted outside of the vehicle. The off-road mode functions when the truck is moving at slower speeds or is in 4 wheel-drive system’s 4LO gear. The Frontier also sports a wide range of safety features, including Safety Shield 360, automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection, blind spot warning and more.
The Frontier is made at Nissan’s Canton Vehicle Assembly Plant in Mississippi, which began operations in 2003.
For those looking for an SUV
The Nissan 2022 Pathfinder large SUV is new from the ground up. “Thirty-five years after the launch of the original model, the Pathfinder has returned to its rugged roots, loaded with the benefit of everything learned along the way,” said Jaret Haslam, vice president of product and services and planning at Nissan North America.
The larger design with wider stance and blister fenders gives the SUV its rugged look. However, it didn’t lose its signature V-motion grille with a three-slot grille incorporated as homage to the original Pathfinder. It also retained is C-shaped headlights and floating roofline.
On the side, it has U-shaped highlights for a muscled look. And in the rear, it sports a “boxed out” liftgate — also a throwback to the original model — with the oversized chrome Pathfinder name. Pathfinder is offered in 14 color combinations.
The SUV is offered in 2 wheel-drive and 4 wheel-drive configurations and comes standard with a 284-horsepower 3.5-liter direct injection V-6 with 259 lb.-ft. of torque. The engine is matched with a 9-speed automatic transmission, giving the vehicles a strong, direct response. The Pathfinder 4-wheel drive edition has seven terrain mode selections, providing drivers with lots of options. It features 6,000-pound maximum towing capacity — plenty for towing the boat to the lake or the trailer to the camp site. It also comes with Trailer Sway Control.
The interior of the Pathfinder sports a new 12.3-inch digital dashboard, providing a variety of easy-to-navigate screen options. It also comes with a 10.8-inch head-up display and a 9.0-inch color touchscreen center display.
The SUV has been improved with standard 8-passenger capacity or, for the first time on Pathfinder, a second row of captain’s chairs with a no-tools-required removable center console. The second-row bench seat offers EZ FLEX one-touch release fold/side with push button activation from both the driver and passenger sides. And the third-row seating is a 60/40 split, providing for cargo flexibility.
The Pathfinder features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as NissanConnect with Wi-Fi hot spot, wireless charging pad and Bose Premium Auto speakers. For the first time ever, the Pathfinder offers ProPilot Assist, a hands-on, driver-assist technology that combines steering assist with intelligent cruise control to help control acceleration, braking and steering in both heavy traffic and on the open highway.
And the 2022 Pathfinder comes with a number of safety features, including Nissan Safety Shield 360, which includes lane departure warning, rear automatic braking, rear cross traffic alert and more. The SUV also comes with 10 airbags.
The Pathfinder is made at Nissan’s Smyrna Assembly Plant in Tennessee, which began production in 1983.
