The 2013 Nissan Pathfinder is lighter - and more affordable.
Over the years, we’ve come to expect three things will happen when an automaker introduces an all-new product: the vehicle will get heavier, it will get more content, and it will get a bigger price tag.
With stiff new fuel economy standards coming into play, we’ve begun seeing a shift in that occasion as manufacturers begin to slash weight which has a direct impact on mileage. But Nissan is apparently adopting an entirely new form of math, because its all-new 2013 Pathfinder is not only as much as 500 pounds lighter but also about $1,000 less expensive than the outgoing SUV – even while getting more standard equipment.
The 2013 Nissan Pathfinder S launches at $28,270, exactly $1,020 less than the 2012 model, to be more precise – though you’ll need to add another $825 for delivery charges. The S anchors a line with a revised series of upgraded trim levels, all the way up to the $39,170 Pathfinder Platinum edition.
All versions will come with the same 3.5-liter V-6 mated to an updated Continuously Variable Transmission, or CVT. Power is pushed through the front wheels, though Nissan will offer an all-wheel-drive package on all trim levels for an extra $1,600.
Nissan boasts that the 2013 Pathfinder is the most significant remake in the sport-ute’s history. In fact, it no longer falls into the SUV category, migrating to a new car-like crossover platform. That switch is one reason why Nissan was able to slice as much as 500 pounds off the weight of the new CUV, depending on trim level.
The new design won’t quite have the off-road capability of the older model but Nissan expects that won’t matter to the vast majority of potential buyers who will appreciate a more car-like ride and better mileage, 26 mpg highway, 20 city and 22 combined with the FWD package. The AWD model loses a mile per gallon in each column. The new Pathfinder will nonetheless tow up to 5,000 pounds.
Other new features found on the 7-seater include the new EZ Flex Seating System that eases access to the Pathfinder’s third row, the Around View Monitor and the Easy Fill Tire Alert System that makes it simpler to check and fill low tires without using a tire gauge.
The 2013 Nissan Pathfinder is expected to reach showrooms in the coming weeks.