Nissan Pathfinder Celebrates Its 1980s Roots, But The Next One Will Be Far More Retro

The Nissan Pathfinder is turning 40 this year, and Nissan is rolling out a special version of the 2027 SUV to celebrate the original model’s utility. While the upcoming 2029 generation promises an even heavier lean into retro roots, dealers are first getting the 2027 Nissan Pathfinder Special Edition. Based on the three-row SUV that debuted for 2022, the anniversary edition features an exclusive two-tone black and burgundy interior inspired by the 1987 model’s burgundy cloth upholstery.

The package also includes black 20-inch wheels, a panoramic sunroof, second-row captain’s chairs, a 12-speaker Bose sound system, and a tow hitch receiver that bumps the tow rating to 6,000 lbs (2,720 kg). Under the hood, it keeps a naturally aspirated 3.5L V6 outputting 284 horsepower (288 PS) and 259 lb-ft (352 Nm) of torque. Pricing starts at $41,565 (including a $1,575 destination charge) for a base front-wheel drive Pathfinder SV, while the front-drive Special Edition lands at $48,965, sitting underneath the $51,465 Platinum.

Opting for all-wheel drive pushes the Special Edition price to $50,985. Meanwhile, the $46,985 Pathfinder Rock Creek offers all-terrain tires, off-road wheels, and LED lights for a more trail-ready vibe reminiscent of the 1986 original, which was a rugged two-door, body-on-frame utility built on Nissan’s Hardbody pickup. Looking ahead to 2029, rumors suggest Nissan may introduce an all-new body-on-frame Pathfinder targeting the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, potentially with a Pro4X badge and a hybrid option, sharing ladder chassis tech with the revived Xterra and next-generation Frontier pickup out of the Canton, Mississippi, plant.

Alongside it, a softer unibody Pathfinder would continue for cost-conscious buyers, though Nissan has not officially confirmed these rumored future plans.