One version will continue as a family-oriented unibody crossover, while the other will adopt a body-on-frame platform aimed squarely at off-road performance.
Nissan will sell both unibody and body-on-frame Pathfinders concurrently by 2029. Unibody version targets families; body-on-frame offers rugged capability and off-road features.
The move ties into a wider comeback for Nissan’s truck-based SUVs.
Few SUVs have shifted identities as frequently as the Nissan Pathfinder. When it debuted in the mid-1980s, it was unmistakably truck-based, riding on a body-on-frame chassis built for durability. In later generations, however, it transitioned toward a more car-like unibody architecture, alternating between construction types over time.
Today’s Pathfinder remains a unibody SUV, prioritizing ride comfort, interior space, and everyday drivability. But Nissan is preparing to reintroduce a body-on-frame version. Rather than replacing the current model, the company plans to offer both variants simultaneously.
When the next-generation body-on-frame Pathfinder arrives toward the end of the decade, customers will effectively have two different Pathfinders to choose from—one tuned for family use and refinement, the other engineered for serious off-road capability.
Nissan intends to keep the unibody Pathfinder on sale even after the new truck-based version debuts, potentially as soon as 2029. The two models will differ significantly in styling, driving dynamics, capability, and pricing.
The unibody Pathfinder will continue focusing on family buyers, delivering a comfortable and accessible SUV experience with car-like handling. It is expected to receive a refresh around 2028 or 2029 and retain its gasoline powertrain.
By contrast, the body-on-frame Pathfinder will emphasize ruggedness. It is anticipated to adopt a more angular design, increased towing capacity, and genuine off-road hardware. The initial offering will use a gasoline engine, with a hybrid variant expected to follow. Nissan may apply the Pro-4X designation to highlight its trail-oriented character.
Production of the truck-based Pathfinder is reportedly planned for Nissan’s Canton, Mississippi facility, where it will share components with upcoming Nissan and Infiniti trucks and SUVs. Due to its heavier-duty construction, it is expected to carry a higher price point than the unibody version. Nissan reportedly believes that more than half of potential buyers will consider both models before making a final decision.
The Bigger Comeback Behind the Plan
This dual-Pathfinder strategy forms part of Nissan’s broader effort to regain momentum in the truck and rugged SUV segment, an area where competitors have recently gained ground.
Central to that initiative is the planned return of the Xterra around 2028. The revived model is expected to be a cost-effective, body-on-frame SUV with genuine off-road credentials, signaling Nissan’s renewed commitment to traditional, adventure-focused vehicles.
Nissan is also developing updated versions of the Frontier pickup and several Infiniti SUVs, all built on the same truck-based architecture. Within this lineup, the body-on-frame Pathfinder will position itself between the returning Xterra and the larger Armada, reinforcing Nissan’s expanded presence in the rugged SUV market.
