Nissan Pathfinder Rock Creek 2023: The off-road variant is back with more power

While the previous Rock Creek Pathfinder had only visual additions, the new model has a more distinctive character, including an increase in power by 11 hp. on premium fuel. The official debut of the SUV will take place at the upcoming New York International Auto Show.

The current one is related to the re-opening. Nissan has been hard at work bringing the Pathfinder back to its fifth-generation roots, and while it certainly was a step in the right direction, the off-road spirit still felt very solid and wasn't too eager to find a bumpy road instead of pavement. . That is about to change with the new 2023 Nissan Pathfinder Rock Creek.

Rock Creek Pathfinder Gets Big Updates

Adventure is back in the spotlight, and Nissan is finally giving the car the ruggedness that many enthusiasts crave. But unlike the previous generation Rock Creek Edition, this new model actually gets performance upgrades rather than rugged off-road accessories.

Off-road ready

There is a small bump in ground clearance in the gear head. The Rock Creek suspension has been raised 0.62 inches from the stock Pathfinder, which in itself increases underbody clearance. 

Nissan has also tuned the suspension specifically for the Rock Creek platform to make it more off-road oriented, though the base equipment doesn't appear to have changed. Finally, to fill in the extra space between the wheels, the 265-inch bead-lock wheels are fitted with 60/18 Toyo all-terrain tires to complete the look and capability.

V6 engine with 295 hp

Under the hood is Nissan's time-tested 6-litre V3.5 engine mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission. Remember, there are no more CVTs here. This shouldn't come as a surprise given that this engine is the mainstay of all other Pathfinder models, however Nissan has revised the fuel map to get a few extra ponies from the aging powerplant. 

If you fill the tank with premium fuel, the Pathfinder will make 295 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque, up from 284 and 259, which is the power output it would produce if gas prices were so-so.

Four-wheel drive and traction

The Pathfinder also features all-wheel drive as standard equipment on the Rock Creek trim, which makes sense considering it's about going off the beaten track. All of this together gives you a pretty fun driver with little power and enough cargo capacity to tow up to 6,000 pounds.

Aesthetic design improvements

The package would be incomplete without visual quotes. The front end has been beefed up, offering a slightly more aggressive look to convey that this machine is made for weekend fun but can still cruise the suburbs while still looking good. Outside, there are also some badges and a tubular roof rack to tie things together. Inside, the Rock Creek Pathfinder gets new leatherette and fabric seats with custom Rock Creek embroidery and some really nice orange stitching to complement the look of the new Pathfinder.

The Rock Creek Pathfinder will make its official debut at the 2022 New York International Auto Show later this week and go on sale this summer.

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