The drive to Dubai Frame was quite the opposite of where the Pathfinder took me last June. One year later, it was time to report another financial year and for a model to mark the no-reason-to-complain performance of Nissan. This time, the celebratory model is a variant of the Pathfinder – the Midnight Edition 2019.

The Midnight edition is all about looks, an accented presence. A dark, intriguing touch punctuates the unibody design of the fifth generation Pathfinder. A black V-motion grille, exterior accents, side mirrors, roof rails, rear spoiler, splash guards and illuminated kick plates apart from the Midnight Edition badging in black.

Midnight Edition package: Black V-motion grille, black bumper, black front spoiler, black exterior accents, black side mirrors, black 20” alloys, Black roof rails, black spoilers, black license plate finishers, black badges, illuminated kick plates

Package price: Approx. AED 162,000

Package colours: Magnetic black, Gun metallic, Pearl white

Drivetrain: 3.5 L V6 Direct Injection Gasoline engine with 271 hp and 340 Nm torque, CVT X-Tronic Transmission with D-step Logic, Selectable 4x 4, Towing capacity 1500 kg

Watch the ONE MINUTE DRIVE Video of the Pathfinder Midnight Edition

While the Midnight edition press release talked about the top end features and the Nissan Mobility Assistance features like Intelligent Emergency Braking, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Forward Collision Warning, Intelligent Cruise Control, and Blind Spot Monitor, chances are that this market might see the Midnight Edition being developed from the SV and not the SL version. So, while sunroof, rear view camera and navigation will be available, the 360º camera or the driver assistance gadgetry wouldn’t be available. While it might appear disappointing at start, you will like the fact that this will help keep the prices down on the accessorized version of the Pathfinder’s most popular trim. The model should be available sometime in July and is available in colours from a dark grey (which is the most appealing) to a clean white. While beige interiors are available, it is too plain to make the Midnight Edition an ‘exclusive variant’ – it takes the charcoal dark leather trim to do that!

The Drive

The short trip to Dubai Frame was interesting not only for the sighting of the ‘world’s biggest frame’. This gave me the chance to refresh my memory of the Pathfinder urban drive. Well, I still feel the 3.5 L V6 engine is powerful, the CVT transmission does a good job that Nissan tries to blame on the D-step logic control that is supposed to simulate a 6-speed automatic gearbox. Whatever! The drive mode knob offers a choice of 2-wheel drive and 4-wheel drive, which is a useful piece of equipment as was seen in the Fujairah drive – watch the video on One Minute Drive. For the adventurer, the towing capacity of 1500 kg is also an improved capability of the fifth generation.

The Cabin Convenience

Capable enough for the adventure most people are going to have, the fifth generation of Nissan Pathfinder is not going to be known for its driving prowess as much as its thoughtful addition of features as a family car. The configuration of seats and the ease with which it is moved about is a huge plus point of the new Pathfinder. The second row seat can be tilted forward and moved without detaching the baby seat; that itself and how that makes third row access easier is awesome logistics of seating in this cabin – Nissan calls it EZ Flex. Nissan Pathfinder has introduced Motion-activated liftgate which allows the tailgate to open when you wave a foot under the rear bumper – before you get too close. If you are too close, your one-legged dance could be wasted!

Watch the One Minute Drive video review of the Midnight Edition

While beige isn’t the colour for the midnight edition, the rather plain styling in beige leather gives the cabin an elegantly functional look. The hard plastic in beige is what I am not too fond of. But hey, it’s not a great idea to wrap it in expensive skin and raise the stakes in Pathfinder further. That said, what I really did not approve of, especially the second time I was laying my eyes on it, was the faux wood. Now, I am not sure if it is consoling or appalling to know there are many who think faux or not, the presence of wood styling calls out ‘premium!’ But then, in a car vested with a great deal of practicality and now a fair dose of ‘standout’ visual appeal, some plastic with annual rings shouldn’t stop you from finding comfort in its well-rounded family appeal.