Nissan releases Pathfinder Concept interior details [w/video]

Nissan has released a preview video and photos of its new Pathfinder concept's interior. The car was initially shown at NAIAS last month without a cabin.

The Japanese carmaker says it has focused on enhancing the comfort and advanced technology features of the interior for this, the fourth-generation of its Pathfinder SUV.

The aim was to apparently to provide all seven seats with the features the driver would expect, an increasingly serious issue, as all passengers in the vehicle expect at least basic connectivity and power for their smartphones and hand-held devices in the car. As such, there's Bluetooth audio streaming, iPod/Phone connectivity and not just second row, but a 'tri-zone' entertainment system which includes second row headrest-mounted DVD display screens.

Elsewhere on the technology roster, there's a large multifunction IT display in the center of the dash through which a Navigation System with real-time traffic and weather information plus a Zagat Survey restaurant guide is displayed. There's also a RearView Monitor, which given the Pathfinder's height, size and heavily masked off rear screen, could be viewed as a necessity more than a nice-to-have.

The cabin includes leather-covered, heated and cooled front seats, heated second row seats, a heated steering wheel, key-less start and multiple user memory settings, along with an advanced Bose Audio System with 13 speakers.

In what purports to be the roomiest second row in its class, Nissan has increased the accessibility of the third row, adding large rear doors and forward folding seat design for ease of access.

The Pathfinder Concept also features Nissan's advanced Around View Monitor, which shows the driver a virtual 360-degree image of the area around the vehicle, a feature typically associated with more premium-brand SUVs such as Range Rover.

By Rufus Thompson