Nissan Pathfinder

• The 3.5-liter V6 produces 271 hp and 340 Nm of torque.
• The 9-speed automatic transmission finds the right gear quickly and stays smooth through city traffic.
• The 4WD system on SV 4WD and SL 4WD trims offers seven terrain modes, including Eco, Sport, Sand, and Mud. On a trip out toward the dunes near Riyadh or on a gravel road approaching Abha, the Sand mode works well.
• Towing capacity reaches 2,722 kg, which means the Pathfinder can handle a loaded trailer or a small boat on a weekend trip to the coast near Jizan without complaint.

Some Realities

• The V6 is strong but not the most fuel-efficient compared to turbocharged 4-cylinder rivals.
• There is no hybrid powertrain option in Saudi Arabia.
• The 2WD S trim, while the most accessible entry point through Aqsat, misses out on the terrain modes and 4WD capability that make the Pathfinder really interesting. Most buyers serious about this car should consider the SV 4WD as the real starting point.

• The ProPILOT Assist on the higher trims is one of the car's most practical features for Saudi buyers. On the Riyadh to Jeddah highway, it maintains your set speed and keeps the car centered in the lane.
• In city traffic around Al Olaya or when navigating the older streets in central Jeddah, the Pathfinder feels appropriately easy to place without being vague.
• The 180 mm of ground clearance handles Saudi urban roads and the occasional rough surface near older residential areas without any drama. It is not an off-road vehicle in the truest sense, but it is not fragile either.

Things That Matter More

• The unibody platform that gives the Pathfinder its smooth highway manners also means it is not purely capable on serious off-road terrain. The 4WD system and terrain modes boost the capability for mild gravel roads, sand, and trails, but this is not a car you take into the deep desert without thinking carefully first.

• It has to start with the innovative EZ Flex second-row system, which enables the middle row to slide, fold, and recline in ways that make getting children into the third row much less of a struggle than in older three-row rivals. On a family trip, this matters more than any specification.
• The S trim comes with cloth seats, manual climate control for the front, an 8-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, push-start ignition, and 18-inch alloys. At this price point, this equipment level is reasonable.
• On the higher SV variant, you get additional heated front seats, roof rails, automatic climate control, ProPILOT Assist, and the 9-inch wireless screen. For families doing regular long drives, this trim is the one to consider through a Murabaha arrangement.
• The SL variant brings leather seats, ventilated front seats, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a head-up display, the Bose 13-speaker audio system, a panoramic sunroof, and the full Around View Monitor.
• Nissan’s Zero Gravity front seats carry over the same principle that works so well in other cars like the mid-size sedan Altima. On the long drive from Riyadh to Madinah or across to Dammam, the difference is huge for comfort and convenience.

What is Missing

• While the interior has improved, overall the material quality still feels uneven. The upper dashboard and seat surfaces on the higher variants starting with SL feel premium and well-finished. But the lower door trims and the areas around the center console on the S and SV trims feel like a different, cheaper car entirely.
• The 9-inch touchscreen, while responsive, does not match the visual quality or smoothness of the systems found in the Hyundai Palisade or Kia Telluride, both of which compete in a similar space. Nissan, or for that matter, the entire Japanese lineup, needs to work on this area.
• Third-row legroom is fine for children and shorter adults but becomes uncomfortable for anyone tall on a journey longer than an hour.
• Wireless charging is present on higher trims, but the placement inside the center console means phones heat up more than they should during long drives, especially in summer.

• Every Pathfinder in Saudi Arabia comes standard with Nissan Safety Shield 360, which includes Automatic Emergency Braking with pedestrian detection, Blind Spot Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Lane Departure Warning, High Beam Assist, and Rear Automatic Braking. These are not optional extras on a higher trim; they are standard on the base S, which is quite a big deal.
• Six airbags, ABS with electronic brake force distribution, vehicle stability control, traction control, and hill start assist are present across all trims.
• The ProPILOT Assist on SV and SL trims combines adaptive cruise control with lane centering assistance for highway driving. On the long stretches between Saudi cities, this system reduces driver fatigue in a way that is noticeable and genuinely appreciated after the first hour.
• The Intelligent Around View Monitor on the SL offers a full 360-degree overhead view with moving object detection. In the tighter streets of older city districts in Riyadh or Jeddah, this camera system is among the most useful features you can have.

Things to Consider

• The Pathfinder has earned strong safety ratings in North American testing, including a TOP SAFETY PICK+ rating from the IIHS. However, independent crash test data for the Gulf market specification specifically is not available.
• The warranty in Saudi Arabia covers three years, which is standard for the segment. However, Korean competitors like the Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride are pushing five-year warranty coverage in some markets
• Resale value for the Pathfinder is supported by the Nissan nameplate and the car's track record in the region.