What’s New in the Nissan Pathfinder for the 2019 Model Year

2019 Nissan Pathfinder | Nissan

The 2019 Nissan Pathfinder marks the seventh model year since its redesign, and consumer demand has begin to slip. As we head into the fourth quarter of the year, Pathfinder has slumped 19% compared to the prior year and on pace for its worst showing since 2012.

Add in some bad news from the latest J.D. Power dependability survey and you have an SUV that’s showing its age. For 2019, Nissan aimed to counter that narrative by bringing new safety tech and other upgrades to the three-row crossover.

Here’s everything new in the Pathfinder for this model year, including some noteworthy changes in pricing.

1. Safety tech upgrades

For the previous model year (2018), Pathfinder got a major bump in advanced safety equipment when forward-collision warning with auto-braking became standard. Nissan continued pushing in that direction (where most new models are headed) by adding Rear Sonar standard on all trims.

This system sounds an alert when the vehicle comes close to an object in the rear and helps mostly in parking. Meanwhile, every Pathfinder SV and above trim will get smart cruise-control, blind-spot warnings, and rear cross-traffic alert standard.

2. Headlight and exterior changes

2019 Nissan Pathfinder in Mocha Almond Pearl | Nissan

With Nissan remaining confident in the 2017 exterior refresh, consumers won’t see a bunch of changes for this model year. A single color (Mocha Almond Pearl) got added to the palette for 2019.

Otherwise, the two highest trims (SL and Platinum) get LED headlights standard. Based on IIHS safety evaluations from the previous Pathfinder, these lights appear to be an upgrade over the halogen projectors that rated poorly.

3. 2019 Pathfinder interior

2019 Nissan Pathfinder | Nissan

There weren’t many changes to the 2019 Pathfinder interior, but buyers will get a few more plugs. Two new USB type-C ports enter the cabin in every trim. Added to the four (type-A) already aboard, that will make six ports altogether.

Nissan’s EZ Flex Seating System carries over for this model. The system allows you to tilt and slide forward second-row seats to make the third row accessible even with a child seat installed.

4. Fuel economy and safety ratings

With no mechanical changes for 2019, we can expect the same results on fuel economy and crash tests. The most economical models are below Platinum trim with front-wheel drive, returning 23 mpg overall (20 mpg city, 27 mpg highway).

Pathfinder S, SV, and SL models with all-wheel drive get 22 mpg combined with 19 mpg city and 26 mpg on the highway. (In real-world testing, these numbers have been closer to 13 mpg city and 18 mpg overall.)

Platinum models with all-wheel drive score the worst (21 mpg), and you can blame the 20-inch wheels for that.

5. New pricing for 2019

There may not be lots of new features in the 2019 Pathfinder, but nearly every trim got a price increase. Base S models start at $31,320 (plus $995 destination) with front-wheel drive for an increase of $190. All-wheel-drive models ($32,920) got the same bump.

You’ll find the biggest price increase in SV models, which jump $540 to $34,270 in both drivetrains. The Pathfinder SL saw a more modest increase ($170) to start at $37,920, while Platinum models will hold steady at $42,570.

Check out The Cheat Sheet on Facebook!