The 2026 Pathfinder has a 3.5-litre V6 engine, which is a carryover from 2025.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
Nissan’s refreshed Pathfinder will make its way back to Canada in the spring after a brief hiatus because of tariffs imposed on American-made vehicles coming into Canada earlier this year. When it arrives, expect to pay a bit more for the made-in-Tennessee vehicle.
“A 25-per-cent tariff is a hard pill to swallow. We’re going to have to adjust a few things,” said Christian Meunier, chairman of Nissan Americas, during a roundtable discussion with Canadian journalists in Franklin, Tenn. “We’ll find a way through. Hopefully, we get a solution to the USMCA negotiations in the next few months.”
Steve Rhind, president of Nissan Canada Inc., echoed the sentiment. “Hopefully, the tariff comes down between now and when we bring these vehicles to market. If it stays at 25 per cent there will be a bit of a price increase – we’re working with our dealers on how we adjust prices and the incentives,” he said. While volume will be lower than usual, Rhind’s main goal is to “make sure we stay competitive” when it comes to the price.
The Rock Creek trim includes black roof rails and larger 20-inch wheels.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
Nissan paused Canadian deliveries of the Pathfinder, Frontier, Murano and Infiniti QX60 earlier this year. But now, production for the Pathfinder, Frontier and Murano will begin in the spring for the Canadian market. A small number of Infiniti QX60s have already arrived in Canada – the first vehicles back - with Nissan Canada absorbing the price hike from the tariffs.
When asked if production of the Pathfinder could come from Japan, Meunier said it’s more ideal to “produce where we sell.”
“It makes more sense to produce in the U.S. rather than the other side of the planet, long term. The long-term solution is to build where you sell and get the scale where you sell,” said Meunier, who was the former president and chair of Nissan Canada Inc. “You don’t have supply chain nightmares and logistic issues. You minimize the risk over time.”
There are lots of intuitive and easy-to-use dials, buttons and knobs.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
When the revamped 2026 Pathfinder arrives in Canada it’ll have updated styling, new technology and more standard features. It’s needed to keep up with the titans in the segment such as the Toyota Highlander, Honda Pilot, Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride.
Some of the new technology in the Pathfinder includes a bigger 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a wireless phone charger that doesn’t get as hot and charges faster than the last version. The charger has a cooling fan to reduce heat build-up and magnetic phone positioning so it stays in place when charging. New innovative camera views on the Pathfinder’s Intelligent Around View Monitor include an Invisible Hood View, which basically lets you see through the vehicle’s hood and engine bay – it’s handy for viewing the wheel position when navigating onto car wash tracks or around curbs.
The Invisible Hood View feater basically lets you see through the vehicle’s hood and engine bay.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
Driving around Franklin, Tenn., the Pathfinder was quiet and comfortable. Powered by a 3.5-litre V6 engine, it’s a carryover from 2025. There’s no hybrid offering for 2026 unlike competitors such as the Toyota Highlander and Hyundai Palisade.
The Pathfinder’s gas engine produces 284 horsepower and 259 lb-ft of torque. At times, the V6 engine felt strained when pushed, but over all it worked well. It felt composed, stable and confident. Surprisingly, it didn’t feel like driving a big bus. A rotary drive-mode selector was nice and simple to use, letting you dial through seven driving modes: Auto, Eco, Tow, Sport, Sand, Mud and Rut.
The front seats on the 2026 PathfinderPetrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
All-around visibility was good, too, thanks to thin A-pillars and bigger rear-quarter windows, which also help passengers riding in the third-row seats feel less claustrophobic.
While there’s seating for up to eight, my Rock Creek trim had second-row captain’s chairs with seating for seven. They were spacious and comfortable. The second row seats also tip and slide forward so it’s easier to access the third row. But it can still be tricky to get inside. At least, once you’re in the third row, it’s roomy and even suitable for adults. The Pathfinder is also a powerhouse when it comes to towing – it can tow up to 6,000 pounds – that’s better than many rivals.
For 2026, the Nissan Pathfinder will be offered in Rock Creek and Platinum trims. Prices will be announced closer to the sale date in the spring. But with tariffs, expect to pay more than the 2025 Nissan Pathfinder, which starts at $50,375 including freight and pre-delivery inspection.
The view from the third row, which is spacious enough for adults.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
Looks
Exterior design tweaks include updated front and rear fascias with a beefier grille and cool new colours such as Baltic Teal. My tester’s Rock Creek trim includes black roof rails, larger 20-inch wheels and red accents on the Nissan logo and black Rock Creek emblems on the side doors.
Interior
A restyled dashboard, larger centre screen and red stitching accents on my tester give it a more upscale feel than the 2025 model. Nice to see intuitive and easy-to-use dials, buttons and knobs. The gear-shifter is awkward to use at first. Spacious in all three rows, but getting in and out of the third row can be tricky.
The second row captain's chairs slide and tilt forward to access to the third row.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
Performance
Over all, it’s a competent and comfortable ride with smooth road manners and an excellent towing capability. Too bad there’s no hybrid offering.
Technology
Standard features include wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Nissan Safety Shield 360 technology which includes Intelligent Forward Collision Warning, ProPILOT Assist and Intelligent Cruise Control, which helps handle acceleration, braking and steering when highway driving.
Cargo
There’s 470 litres of storage behind the third-row seats. It’s easy to lower the second- and third-row seats to create a huge cargo area. A motion-activated liftgate is also standard.
Space with all three rows up is decent at 470 litres.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
The verdict
Pricing will ultimately determine the 2026 Nissan Pathfinder’s success. Still, it’s a solid SUV with nice technology, but if competitors offer more features for less money, it may lose some sales to the competition.
Tech specs
2026 Nissan Pathfinder
- Price: To be announced
- Engine: 3.5-litre DOHC V6
- Horsepower / torque (lb-ft): 284 / 259
- Transmission / drive: Nine-speed automatic / four-wheel drive
- Fuel consumption: To be announced
- Alternatives: Honda Pilot, Toyota Highlander and Grand Highlander, Mazda CX-90, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Hyundai Palisade, Kia Telluride, Ford Explorer, Chevrolet Traverse
A motion-activated liftgate is standard and there is lots of space with the second and third row folded down.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
The writer was a guest of the automaker. Content was not subject to approval.
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