The Nissan Pathfinder Rock Creek Is Finally Proving Its Grit
Welcome the Nissan Pathfinder Rock Creek Edition to the big show. It will be put to a few extreme tests during the Rebelle Rally. The stakes are pretty high, as this race requires the ability to tackle challenging desert terrain. Can the 2023 Nissan Pathfinder Rock Creek survive?
The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder Rock Creek enters the Rebelle Rally
We hope the 2023 Nissan Pathfinder Rock Creek Edition is ready to tackle the Rebelle Rally. It would be a shame if it lets any of these participating ladies down. Yep, we said ladies. The Rebelle Rally is a women-only event.
The Rebelle Rally is a 10-day race across the desert that covers over 1,500 miles. The event kicks off on October 6 in the Nevada desert and ends on October 15, in the Glamis Dunes of California.
SUVs and trucks will climb sand dunes, crawl over rocks, ford water crossings, and survive in extreme heat. No navigation is allowed, so the teams don’t have GPS units. But they still need to meet certain checkpoints along the way.
Sedona Wilson and Lyn Woodward from Team Wild Grace will be using the Nissan Pathfinder Rock Creek Edition to compete. We also have our eyes on the Kia Sportage X-Pro, Hyundai Santa Cruz, and Jeep Wrangler 4xe.
How capable is the Pathfinder Rock Creek Edition?
The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder Rock Creek Edition is wrapped in bright blue and orange graphics to help it stand out against the sand. Nissan didn’t mention this model having any mechanical upgrades for the race, so it could be stock.
But it should be well-equipped and packs plenty of power. It has a 3.5-liter V6 engine that cranks out 295 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque. The engine is paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission.
It has a lifted suspension and rides on 18-inch beadlock-style alloy wheels wrapped in Toyo Open Country All-Terrain tires. It has a 7.7-inch ground clearance, which is a little low. Also, it has a unique off-road tuned suspension.
The Nissan Intelligent all-wheel drive system is standard. Plus, the black roof rack can hold up to 220 lbs, which is helpful. The Rebelle Rally participants do have to carry their own camping gear and supplies.
The interior features leatherette upholstery and orange contrast stitching. The surround-view camera will help the team navigate around tight obstacles.
How much is the 2023 Pathfinder Rock Creek Edition?
The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder Rock Creek Edition price starts at $44,115. The regular Pathfinder begins at about $35,000. So, it takes nearly $10,000 to gain more off-roading capabilities and a little more interior comfort.
It does feature an extra 11 hp over the other models and comes with standard captains chairs. It can tow up to 6,000 lbs, while rivals like the Kia Telluride max out at 5,000 lbs.
An 8.0-inch infotainment display comes with the base model, but higher trims get a 9.0-inch unit. Plus, there’s a new 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, a wireless phone charging pad, and a head-up display.
The Nissan Pathfinder Rock Creek Edition is rugged, capable, and luxurious. We will see how well it competes in the Rebelle Rally. It’s exciting to see if it can hand with the competition.
