Nissan to Sell Unibody Pathfinder Alongside Body-On-Frame Version
Nissan is planning to sell the current unibody Pathfinder alongside a new, body-on-frame Pathfinder, according to a report from Automotive News. The current Pathfinder will be updated, while the new body-on-frame version is expected to arrive as early as 2029. According to the report, the unibody version will target entry-level buyers while the off-road-focused body-on-frame model will carry a higher price. Nissan is planning to keep the aging Pathfinder around for quite a while longer. According to a new report from Automotive News, the automaker is planning to sell the current Pathfinder alongside a new, body-on-frame SUV sharing the same name. A source familiar with the plan told Automotive News that Nissan will continue selling an updated version of the unibody Pathfinder, while also offering a body-on-frame version of the SUV. According to the report, the unibody version, which is expected to retain its on-road focus, will be updated in 2028 or 2029. The body-on-frame Pathfinder will be more truck-like with unique styling and will follow the upcoming Xterra on Nissan's new body-on-frame platform as early as 2029. NissanThe current Pathfinder generation stretches back to the 2022 model year, meaning that even with updates, the unibody model could be seven years old by the time the body-on-frame version arrives. Not wanting one version to cannibalize sales of the other, the two Pathfinder models will only be sold concurrently for as long as it makes sense to do so. Pricing for the unibody model will reportedly target entry-level buyers, with the more rugged body-on-frame model expected to carry a more premium price tag. While Nissan wouldn't outright confirm the report, the brand didn't go so far as to deny it either. A spokesperson for the brand supplied Car and Driver with the following statement regarding the future of the Pathfinder. "We always evaluate our plans to offer the most compelling product portfolio based on consumer trends and market opportunities. We are excited for the potential to bring the iconic Xterra back to the Nissan lineup as early as 2028, followed by four other frame-based vehicles on the same all-new platform," a spokesperson for Nissan wrote in a statement. "For any other future product programs, decisions will be made in alignment with consumer demand to maintain the strongest lineup possible for our brands, but no decisions have been made at this time."NissanAccording to the Auto News report, Nissan is planning to use powertrain options to differentiate between the two versions. The unibody Pathfinder will reportedly carry on solely powered by an internal-combustion powertrain. On the flip side, the body-on-frame Pathfinder will launch with a combustion-only powertrain but will add a hybrid option down the line. It's possible that Nissan also differentiates between the two versions with seating options. The unibody Pathfinder offers a kid-sized third row, but it's possible that the off-road-focused version drops the back row in favor of a larger cargo area.The report also says the body-on-frame Pathfinder may carry the Pro4X badge, indicating its focus on off-roading. All five planned vehicles on the new body-on-frame platform are expected to be assembled at Nissan's factory in Canton, Mississippi. More on Nissan SUVs2026 Nissan Pathfinder: Review, Pricing, and Specs2026 Nissan Pathfinder Tries to Keep Up2028 Nissan Xterra Is an SUV Worth Waiting For➡️ Skip the lot. Let Car and Driver help you find your next car.Shop New Cars Shop Used CarsJack Fitzgerald’s love for cars stems from his as yet unshakable addiction to Formula 1. After a brief stint as a detailer for a local dealership group in college, he knew he needed a more permanent way to drive all the new cars he couldn’t afford and decided to pursue a career in auto writing. By hounding his college professors at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, he was able to travel Wisconsin seeking out stories in the auto world before landing his dream job at Car and Driver. His new goal is to delay the inevitable demise of his 2010 Volkswagen Golf.
