The refreshed 2017 Nissan Pathfinder has been revealed ahead of its arrival in Australia in the first half of next year.

THE 2017 NISSAN PATHFINDER won’t make it Down Under until early next year, but Nissan is promising the refreshed model will have more “adventure capability”. Available in both two- and all-wheel drive configuration and with seven seats, the Pathfinder will go head-to-head with the new Skoda Kodiaq which is due here at around the same time next year. It will be available in three equipment grades.

The new-look Pathfinder gets the new Nissan V-Motion grille and boomerang-shaped headlights with LED daytime running lights. The bonnet, front bumper, chin spoiler which has been relocated but doesn’t, allegedly, upset the approach angle which seems to be unchanged from the current model, and fog lights are also new.

The outside rearview mirrors now include standard integrated turn signals. In the rear, changes include new taillights and a “stronger bumper design”. The refreshed Pathfinder will also be offered with a motion-activated tailgate, like the Audi A4 Avant, you simply stab your foot underneath the rear bumper in the middle to activate the power opening tailgate.

On the inside, Nissan says, “the cupholders have been reshaped to accommodate mug handles and an illuminated front storage bin. There are now two USB ports inside the console versus the previous single port”.

The “Pathfinder interior is anchored by Nissan’s innovative EZ Flex Seating System with LATCH AND GLIDE, a 2nd row tilt and glide seat that allows easy 3rd row access with a child safety seat remaining securely in place”. New cloth seat fabric has been added along with new interior finishes, and all the seats fold flat into the floor.

Nissan says the Pathfinder’s 3.5-litre V6 has been revised to offer more power and torque, but it hasn’t provided figure, indeed it claims that 50% of the engine components are new or new-to-Pathfinder – including combustion chamber design, pistons, intake manifold and e-VTC (fully electronic on intake). The compression ratio has also been raised to 11.0:1 (from the previous 10.3:1). The engine is mated to Nissan’s third-generation Xtronic transmission which, like Subaru’s CVT, offers simulated shifts via its “D-Step Logic Control”.

As in previous years, Pathfinder also features selectable 2WD, Auto or 4WD Lock modes via the ALL-MODE 4×4-i system. Nissan says it’s retuned the suspension set-up compared with the current Pathfinder, including 11% stiffer front shock absorbers and 7% stiffer rear shocks. Rebound springs have been added to the front struts to help assist with roll balance and body control. The spring rates of the rear rebound springs have also been increased by 25%. The steering ratio is 11% quicker.

The 2017 Nissan Pathfinder is currently scheduled to arrive in Australia in the first half of next year. Australian prices, specifications and equipment will be announced closer to its time of local release.