2015 Nissan Pathfinder Adds More Safety Features

2014 Nissan Pathfinder SL 4WD Mocha Stone Paint Front Quarter Left ・ Photo by Christian Wardlaw

It's been a surprisingly tough year for three-row crossovers, but the 2015 Nissan Pathfinder is looking to buck that trend over the final few month of 2014 with a significant upgrade to both the driving experience and its available range of safety technologies.

As regards the former, the 2015 Nissan Pathfinder will benefit from the new "D-Step Shift Logic control" feature that has begun migrating throughout the brand's 2015 model-year lineup. The system allows the Pathfinder's standard continuously variable transmission to mimic the performance of a more traditional automatic unit, complete with simulated gear shifts, while minimizing the irritating drone that often accompanies other CVTs when under acceleration. Then, as a further bonus, the change leads to a minor bump in what was already a best-in-class fuel-economy rating. The top EPA scores for the 2015 Nissan Pathfinder: 20 mpg city/27 mpg highway/23 mpg combined, marking an improvement of 1 mpg in both highway and combined travel.

(Note: The 2015 Nissan Pathfinder is motivated by a 3.5-liter V6 engine that makes 260 hp and 240 lb.-ft. of torque—enough for a 5,000-lb. towing maximum.)

2015 Nissan Pathfinder: More Highlights

The other big change to the 2015 Nissan Pathfinder comes from the safety department, which introduces two key driver-assistance technologies—blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert—as standard equipment on the upper-level SL and Platinum trims. And as long as we're on the topic of trims, let's also note that a number of the trim-specific equipment packages for the 2015 Nissan Pathfinder have been adjusted:

• For the SL trim, all models add a 120-volt power outlet, the Tech package adds an Around View Monitor along with a tow hitch and harness, and the SL Premium package now also includes an Around View Monitor, as well as a Nissan Navigation System.
• Revisions for 2015 for the SV trim include the addition of fog lamps, an auto-dimming rearview mirror (with HomeLink), and heated outside mirrors.
• A new Family Entertainment Package premieres, boasting dual 7-inch DVD monitors mounted in the front-seat headrests.
• The 2015 Nissan Pathfinder Platinum gets a Dual Panorama Moonroof as part of its standard equipment list.
• Models equipped with Nissan's all-wheel-drive system now benefit from standard Hill Descent Control.
• Finally, the exterior color palette for the Pathfinder has been updated with six new colors—Java Metallic, Midnight Jade, Gun Metallic, Magnetic Black, Glacier White and Pearl White.

The 2015 Nissan Pathfinder is on sale now with an MSRP of $29,510, representing an increase of $300 as compared to the previous model year.

Photo by Christian Wardlaw