Chinese 2024 Nissan Pathfinder: A Tale of Two Markets

In the American market, the 2024 Nissan Pathfinder has recently debuted, featuring a robust 3.5-liter V6 engine. Meanwhile, its Chinese counterpart offers a different powertrain, tailored specifically to meet local demands and tastes.

The Chinese edition of the 2024 Pathfinder has been entirely redesigned to suit preferences in the People's Republic. Developed by Dongfeng Nissan, the crossover for the Chinese market bears unique features that set it apart from the American version. Photos released by China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology reveal aesthetic updates like swept-back headlights and a larger grille. The design is influenced by April's Pathfinder concept but stands out due to the absence of LED strips connecting the headlights and taillights.

Internally, the Chinese Pathfinder offers three rows of seating. Reports suggest that the vehicle is unlikely to adopt the more modern CMF-CD architecture. According to MIIT data, this variant is slightly larger, measuring 202 inches in length, 78 inches in width, and 69.6 inches in height, making it 4.3 inches longer than its American counterpart.

The primary divergence between the two models lies beneath the hood. Engineered by the Dongfeng Nissan collaboration, the Chinese Pathfinder will feature a 2.0-liter engine producing 248 horsepower. This four-cylinder engine comes with a nine-speed automatic transmission and delivers power to all four wheels. The reason for the smaller engine size? Heavier taxes on larger engines in China.

In conclusion, the U.S. version of the Pathfinder starts at $37,145 and boasts a 3.5-liter naturally aspirated V6 engine with peak outputs of 290 HP and 295 lb-ft in the standard trims. An upgraded Rock Creek edition offers a slightly higher output with 295 HP and 270 lb-ft of torque.