This new Nissan Pathfinder XE-V6 SEMA build is bringing some appropriately old-school vibes.
Alongside the scores of aftermarket firms who fill the halls of the Las Vegas Convention Center for SEMA every year, a surprising number of OEMs are showing up to the party with builds of their own — and several builds, at that. Take Nissan, which is bringing some truck-themed builds to show off alongside the Z and Sentra builds it showed off last week (with the Sentra Spec-V particularly catching my interest). On Monday, Nissan announced rugged builds based around the Frontier, Pathfinder and Armada, with the Pathfinder here throwing back to the nameplate’s four-decade history and V6 roots.
To celebrate the Pathfinder’s 40-year milestone, Nissan is rolling out the XE-V6 Concept at SEMA 2026. The “XE-V6” part of the name will be intimately familiar to die-hard fans, as that recalls the 3.0-liter V6 available in the original model. These days, the naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6 powers the modern Pathfinder (and that’s not changing here, nor is its 284-horsepower output).
So, what does the Pathfinder get, apart from the old-school livery and the badging? To create a more rugged proposition, the XE-V6 Concept brings a custom four-inch suspension lift, 18-inch prototype NISMO wheels and a set of Yokohama Geolandar off-road tires. That last bit is a popular choice for these moderately more off-road-worthy builds, since they do offer some extra capability without being too hardcore for the pavement. After all, this is still a three-row family rig these days.
To complement the suspension lift, the Nissan Pathfinder XE-V6 Concept also brings high-clearance bumpers, a swing-out gate (just like the old rig) to accommodate a full-size spare, a roof rack with panels to mount additional gear like water tanks on the rear quarters, and a range of other adventure-minded gear.
Like many of the manufacturer builds coming to SEMA, we may not see this model emerge as a purchasable option in itself from your Nissan dealer. That said, a lot of what’s here could feasibly make its way to your Pathfinder through the accessory catalog.
Check out more on the Pathfinder below, and we’ll have a lot more from SEMA 2026 coming soon!
