| April 1985 – September 1995 | 1995–2006 (Indonesia) }} | Japan:
Kanda, Fukuoka (
Nissan Shatai) | Malaysia:
Kuala Lumpur (
Tan Chong Motor Assemblies) | Indonesia:
Jakarta (
Indomobil);
Purwakarta (
NMI) }} |
Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive |
Front-engine, four-wheel-drive }} |
Petrol: |2.4 L
Z24i I4 |2.4 L
KA24E I4 |3.0 L
VG30i/VG30E V6 (HYD21) |
Diesel: |2.7 L
TD27 I4 (BYD21) |2.7 L
TD27T2/T4 turbo I4 (BYD21) }} | (early) | (late) | (Wide) }} | | (Wide) }} }} The first generation Pathfinder was unveiled in May 1985 and was later introduced in July 1986 as a two-door
body-on-frame SUV, for the 1987 model year in the United States. It shared styling and most components with the
Nissan Hardbody Truck. Built on a ladder-type frame, the Pathfinder was
Nissan's response to the
Chevrolet Blazer,
Ford Bronco II,
Jeep Cherokee, and non-American SUVs like the
Toyota 4Runner,
Honda Passport, and the
Isuzu MU. Before the Pathfinder there was the Nissan Bushmaster (an aftermarket conversion of the
Datsun Truck). Its optional 4WD system that could be engaged electronically while the vehicle was moving was unique at the time. All YD21 Pathfinders were available in both 2WD and manually engaged 4WD configurations, with base models installed with a 2.4 L four-cylinder engine. In certain countries, this generation also came with a 2.7-litre
I4 diesel engine known as the
TD27 with the option of a turbocharger installed later in November 1988. In Japan, it was exclusive to
Nissan Shop locations, where it was called the Terrano and served as a smaller companion to the larger
Nissan Safari. While the Pathfinder/Terrano was essentially based on the newly introduced Hardbody truck, the rear five-link coil suspension was borrowed from the Safari to enhance its off-road abilities. In addition to the Station Wagon version (two or later four doors), the home market also received a version intended for commercial use called the "Estate Van" (chassis codes beginning with the letter "V"). The two-door version was available with the Nissan VG30i
V6, which produces at 4800 rpm in Japanese market specifications. As the Japanese market Terrano was regarded as a luxury vehicle, with an emphasis on outdoor leisure activities, the Terrano was introduced to Japanese buyers as an off-road, back-country Fairlady ZX. To emphasize this marketing approach, the Terrano was available with options not normally found on other budget-minded vehicles. Some of the upmarket Japanese-model options were climate-controlled air conditioning, electrically powered windows, seats, door locks, and, in 1993,
Recaro seats. Nissan's sports division
Autech added special equipment packages, introducing the "Wide R3M Urban" and the "AJ Limited". The "Wide" models used overfenders and larger bumpers which made their exterior dimensions exceed
dimension regulations, thus incurring a higher
annual road tax obligation. The Wide models were given the leading letter "L" in their model codes. The emphasis on luxury was partly due to a strong economy in Japan, in what is then regarded as the Japanese "
bubble economy". In 1985, the first generation Terrano was entered in the ninth Paris to Dakar rally race, with continued entries in rally races for many years, winning multiple times in its category. The four-door Pathfinder was introduced in October 1989 to enhance the Pathfinder's market appeal, but the wheelbase and overall vehicle length were not extended to accommodate the rear doors. At its introduction to North America, 1985 to 1989 Pathfinders all came with a two-door body. For 1990 it became four door-only, although a small number of US 1990 Pathfinders came with the two-door body. When the four-door version was introduced, Nissan chose to conceal the door handles as a part of the
"C" pillar trim to make it appear like a two-door truck with a
camper shell, with the conventional door handles on the front doors. This design tradition was used on all Nissan SUVs, including the
Nissan Armada,
Nissan Juke,
Nissan Terrano II, and the
Nissan Xterra. The front doors were slightly shortened to accommodate the rear doors. From 1987 to 1989 Pathfinders were available with either the Nissan
VG30i 3.0 L V6 (, torque), or the Nissan
Z24i 2.4 L with I4 (the same engine choices as the
Nissan Hardbody Truck). For 1990, the V6 received an upgrade from throttle body injection to a multi point fuel injection system. This
engine was known as the
VG30E, and was rated at and torque. Also in 1990, the
Z24i was replaced with the
KA24E. The first generation continued until 1995. The first generation
Nissan Pathfinder also sold in Indonesia from 1995 to 2006 as
Nissan Terrano. Only available with four-door body, 2389 cc
Z24 carburetted petrol engine (103 hp & 182Nm), 2WD (4WD only available for 1995-1996 highest trim model) and 5-speed manual transmission. Only 17,801 units were sold during 11 years of production.
Facelifts A facelift occurred in 1990 when the 4-door model was introduced. The front grille was revised, numerous interior trim level options became available and numerous exterior packages were offered by dealerships. The 1993 models received a third brake light and the 1994 models received a curved dashboard. Two more facelifts occurred for Indonesian production Terrano in 1997 and 2003. File:Nissan Pathfinder 3.0 SE-V6 1989.jpg|1987–1990 Nissan Pathfinder 2-door File:93-95 Nissan Pathfinder 4-door -- 02-26-2010.jpg|1986–1995 Nissan Pathfinder 4-door File:1995 Nissan Pathfinder SE, rear 5.19.19.jpg|1990–1995 Nissan Pathfinder 4-door File:Nissan Terrano D21 001.JPG|Nissan Terrano D21 File:Nissan Terrano rear 20071129.jpg|Nissan Terrano Freeway File:Nissan Terrano Kingsroad (facelift I depan), Jimbaran.jpg|1996–2003 Nissan Terrano Kingsroad (Indonesia) File:Nissan Terrano Spirit S3, Denpasar.jpg|2003–2006 Nissan Terrano Spirit S3 (front, Indonesia) File:Nissan Terrano Spirit S3, Denpasar (rear).jpg|Nissan Terrano Spirit S3 with new
crystal rear lights (rear, Indonesia) == Second generation (R50; 1995) ==