Details: 2017 Nissan Pathfinder update

More power, more technology and a fresh look. Those are the highlights of the upgraded 2017 Nissan Pathfinder announced by the Japanese brand today.

The new model hits dealerships in March to compete against the likes of the Toyota Kluger and Hyundai Santa Fe in the family SUV market.

Nissan has given it a minor nip and tuck, adding its now familiar 'V-Motion' grille and boomerang-shaped LED daytime running lights. There's also a new bonnet, front bumper and fog lights to differentiate it from the out-going model. There are also new alloy wheel designs in 18- and 20-inch sizes.

Under the re-styled front end is a heavily re-worked version of the 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine that is now more powerful and has more torque than the old model. Power is up to 202kW (a 12kW increase) and torque is 340Nm (up 15Nm) thanks to more than 50 per cent of its components being new. Fuel consumption is slightly improved, down by 0.1- and 0.2-litres per 100km to 9.9L/100km for the two-wheel drive models and 10.1L/100km for the all-wheel drive variants.

Nissan hasn't added a diesel option with this update, but the petrol-electric hybrid Pathfinder remains. It features an unchanged powertrain that pairs a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with an electric motor that offers up a combined 188kW and 330Nm while returning a claimed 8.6L/100km.

All models use an updated version of Nissan's continuously variable transmission.

Nissan will continue to offer a three-tier line-up with the ST, ST-L and range-topping Ti.

The ST-L and Ti gain autonomous emergency braking, forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, rear cross traffic alert, blind spot monitoring and moving object detection.

Prices have remained steady, with only the entry-level model ST 2WD getting a $500 price increase. It now kicks off the range at $41,990 (plus on-road costs) and comes with 18-inch alloy wheels, LED DRLs, an extra child seat anchor in the third row and an 8-inch colour touchscreen display.

In addition to the extra safety gear the ST-L also gets navigation with live traffic updates as standard. The Ti gains 20-inch alloy, LED headlights, updated second row dual entertainment screens with wireless headphones and a hands-free tailgate.

2017 Nissan Pathfinder specifications

Engine: 3.5-litre V6 petrol

Power: 202kW

Torque: 340Nm

Transmission: CVT, FWD or AWD

Fuel use: 9.9L/100km (2WD), 10.1L/100km (AWD)

2017 Nissan Pathfinder pricing

ST V6 2WD - $41,990

ST V6 AWD - $45,490

ST Hybrid 2WD - $44,490

ST-L V6 2WD - $53,690

ST-L V6 AWD - $57,690

ST-L Hybrid AWD - $60,690

Ti V6 2WD - $62,190

Ti V6 AWD - $66,190

Ti Hybrid AWD - $69,190

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