The Breakdown:
- Nissan plans to expand the Pathfinder lineup with a body-on-frame variant.
- It could arrive as soon as 2029.
- It will have a distinct design, increased capability, and launch with a combustion engine.
Nissan plans to expand the Pathfinder lineup with a body-on-frame variant. The new SUV will have a distinct look with a boxier design and greater capability than the current unibody version. Plus, it will come with combustion and hybrid engine options.
According to Automotive News, "a person with knowledge of the plan" said that Nissan will sell both versions of the Pathfinder alongside each other for an undetermined amount of time. The automaker will reportedly build the Pathfinder at its Mississippi factory, and it could launch as early as 2029. 
The platform that the new body-on-frame SUV will ride on launches with the upcoming Xterra. The rugged Pathfinder will wear Nissan’s Pro4X badge and will be a totally different animal compared to the standard model, according to the publication’s source. It will launch with a gasoline engine and offer a hybrid option later.
Nissan will allegedly position the new Pathfinder as a premium option, with distinct pricing. The 2026 model starts at $41,395, including destination. We expect the Pathfinder’s price to creep up before the new variant arrives, so it’s unclear how much the body-on-frame version could cost.
Motor1’s Take: Nissan is already reviving the Xterra, another body-on-frame SUV, so a rugged Pathfinder seems like an odd addition to the lineup. The two will supposedly share platforms and 70 percent of their parts, so we are left to wonder how Nissan will meaningfully differentiate the two in the marketplace.
