Nissan Pathfinder Could Return to Its Roots as a Body-on-Frame SUV

• The Pathfinder shifted from rugged truck roots to a family SUV with each generation.
• Nissan considers reviving a body-on-frame, off-road-focused Pathfinder in future lineups.
• The plan depends on US production capacity and the success of the revived Xterra.

Where the Pathfinder Came From – and Where It Might Go

The Nissan Pathfinder has never stayed in one lane for long. Its earliest versions were unapologetically truck-like, built on the same bones as Nissan’s Hardbody pickup and aimed squarely at drivers who actually needed ground clearance and a proper frame. That formula carried the model through much of its first three generations, even as the segment shifted toward comfort and road manners.

Eventually, Nissan followed suit. By the time the fourth-generation Pathfinder arrived, the truck DNA had been swapped for a unibody layout designed to appeal to families rather than trail-hunters.

The current model continues in that direction. Its 2026 refresh – revealed just last week – leans into sharp surfacing, tidy proportions, and an interior filled with smarter tech. It looks cleaner, it drives more polished, and it presents itself as the sensible, modern family SUV that Nissan wants it to be.

But that may not be the narrative for long. Beneath the surface of this latest update sits the possibility that the next Pathfinder could swing back toward durability and capability, returning to a stance that feels closer to its original purpose.

Nissan Opens the Door to a Body-on-Frame Revival

In a conversation with The Drive at the Los Angeles Auto Show, Nissan senior vice president Michael Soutter described the Pathfinder name as something that should communicate capability rather than shuttle duty, noting that a truck-based version would fit naturally within a growing family of body-on-frame models.

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Soutter pointed out that the shift hinges on US production. Nissan plans to localize Frontier and Xterra assembly in either Canton, Mississippi, or Smyrna, Tennessee. Only once that foundation is set – along with clear insights into plant capacity and tooling – can the brand scale a lineup of true off-road SUVs.

Soutter’s comments suggested a long-term roadmap rather than a quick turnaround, but the intent was unmistakable: the idea of a future Pathfinder returning to its roots is very much alive.

A Truck-Based Future

With the Xterra on the way back and the Frontier already established, Nissan is positioning itself for a lineup filled with honest, body-on-frame utility vehicles. It’s a shift that leans on engineering substance rather than lifestyle branding. That approach feels stronger than some recent decisions – like rebadging the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV into the Rogue Plug-in Hybrid, which looked more like a shortcut than a strategy.

If Nissan follows through, its truck-based trio could aid in the company’s current ailing finances by tapping into the growing demand for purpose-built SUVs. And for the Pathfinder, the chance to reclaim its identity may come at just the right time.