Nissan Turns the Pathfinder into a Lifted Off-Roader for SEMA

In its natural state, the Nissan Pathfinder is pretty vanilla. For those who want a more rugged version, they can opt for the Rock Creek edition. And if you’re someone who dreams big and has the disposable income to turn a Pathfinder into a truly off-road-capable machine, Nissan’s new SEMA concept provides the blueprint for what its three-row family hauler can become.

The fire truck-red Pathfinder with a retro-inspired livery pictured here is called the XE-V6 concept, and it’s based on the aforementioned Rock Creek edition. It features the standard 295-hp naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V-6, which breathes through a prototype cat-back exhaust system from NISMO. It’s also outfitted with a specially made four-inch lift kit and cradle spacer to help accommodate the distinctive wheel-and-tire package.

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The XE-V6 concept also rolls on a set of 35-inch-tall Yokohama Geolander mud-terrain tires that have a meatier tread pattern than anything you can find in a Nissan showroom. The chunky rubber is mounted on 18-inch NISMO prototype wheels, and there’s a full-size spare mounted on the back of the Pathfinder. We’re big fans of the cool Nissan-branded mud flaps too.

To better protect the SUV’s chin and its vital powertrain components, Nissan installed a hefty front skid plate, complete with an integrated Warn M800S winch, that pairs with similarly sturdy underbody skid plates. A custom high-clearance front bumper will help the Pathfinder XE-V6 crawl over obstacles it finds in its path, and seeing those obstacles at night is made easier with the two six-inch fog lights, also courtesy of NISMO. The light show continues with the four-inch prototype units mounted on the A-pillars. Other custom add-ons include rock rails and a rear bumper that increases the departure angle and incorporates tow hooks and a trailer hitch.

Nissan doesn’t get crazy with the Pathfinder concept's interior, so all of the expected comfort and creature features remain. However, it does make extra room for storage thanks to roof-mounted accessories such as a rack with a NISMO storage case and four six-inch off-road lights. There’s also a custom MOLLE panel that hangs over the rear window and hosts a 1.75-gallon RotoPax canister. Oh, and if you need to keep some sandwiches or soda pops cool while you’re out gallivanting on trails, NISMO provides a white 45-quart ice box in the cargo area.

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Eric Stafford’s automobile addiction began before he could walk, and it has fueled his passion to write news, reviews, and more for Car and Driver since 2016. His aspiration growing up was to become a millionaire with a Jay Leno–like car collection. Apparently, getting rich is harder than social-media influencers make it seem, so he avoided financial success entirely to become an automotive journalist and drive new cars for a living. After earning a journalism degree at Central Michigan University and working at a daily newspaper, the years of basically burning money on failed project cars and lemon-flavored jalopies finally paid off when Car and Driver hired him. His garage currently includes a 2010 Acura RDX, a manual '97 Chevy Camaro Z/28, and a '90 Honda CRX Si.

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