NY Auto Show: New 2014 Nissan Pathfinder ‘Hybrid’ further fuels changing image of green tech

By Marcus Amick Published March 29, 2013

The debut of the 2014 Nissan Pathfinder Hybrid at the New York International Auto Show is the latest in a growing number of historically more “rugged” vehicle nameplates venturing into the technology.

The new Pathfinder Hybrid replaces the standard 3.5-liter V6 with a new supercharged 2.5-liter gasoline engine and an electric motor paired with a compact Lithium-ion (Li-on) battery. The 15 kW electric motor and gas engine featured in the Pathfinder works in tandem to produce a net horsepower of 250 and 243 lb-ft. of torque.

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However, what’s most impressive is that the hybrid version of the iconic Pathfinder, a vehicle most would probably have never associated with the “green” movement years ago, only loses 10 horsepower and 7 lb-ft. of torque versus the 3.5-liter V6 − one of the latest examples of the advancements being made in the technology.

Towing capacity for the Pathfinder Hybrid is listed at 3,500-pounds.

The hybrid system operates by using a dual clutch system that manages power from both the electric motor and the gas engine. Positioned between the gasoline engine and the CVT where the torque converter would normally be, the motor also functions as a generator, conveying deceleration force from the CVT to the battery.

Available in either front-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive, the Pathfinder Hybrid’s estimated fuel economy is 25 mpg city and 27 mpg highway for an estimated combined mpg of 26. That’s a combined increase of 24 percent over the standard Pathfinder.

With the Pathfinder Hybrid’s large 19.5-gallon fuel tank, Nissan estimates the driving range at more than 526 miles. A regenerative braking system automatically recharges the battery by converting the vehicle’s kinetic energy that would be otherwise lost in braking.

Even though Nissan has been focused on broadening the appeal of the Pathfinder for some time, it still seems odd talking about the technology in a historically off-road vehicle like the Pathfinder in the same context as a Toyota Prius.

The Pathfinder, however, isn’t the only nameplate with a more “rugged” brand history delving into hybrid territory.

Ford is reportedly exploring a hybrid version of the award-winning F-150 and Range Rover has a hybrid model of its signature SUV in the works as well, which is just another indication that the idea of “going green” holds a lot more weight than it did just a few years ago.

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New York Auto Show

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Marcus Amick has been writing about the world of cars for more than ten years and has covered everything from new automobiles…

Cars

Jeep Compass EV breaks cover—but will it come to the U.S.?

jeep compass ev us newjeepcompassfirsteditionhawaii 4

Jeep just pulled the wraps off the all-new Compass EV, and while it’s an exciting leap into the electric future, there's a catch—it might not make it to the U.S. anytime soon.
This is a brand new electric version of the Jeep Compass, and being built on Stellantis' STLA platform—the same architecture underpinning models like the Peugeot E-3008 and E-5008—it looks much slicker and packs a lot more inside than previous versions of the Compass.
Let’s start with what’s cool: the new Compass EV is packing up to 404 miles of range on a single charge, a 74 kWh battery, and fast-charging that gets you from 20% to 80% in about 30 minutes. Not bad for a compact SUV with Jeep's badge on the nose.
There are two versions: a front-wheel-drive model with 213 horsepower and a beefier all-wheel-drive version with 375 horsepower. That AWD setup isn’t just for looks—it can handle 20% inclines even without front traction, and comes with extra ground clearance and better off-road angles. In short, it’s still a Jeep.
The design's been refreshed too, and inside you’ll find the kind of tech and comfort you’d expect in a modern EV—sleek, smart, and ready for both city streets and dirt trails.
But here’s the thing: even though production starts soon in Italy, Jeep hasn’t said whether the Compass EV is coming to America. And the signs aren’t promising.
Plans to build it in Canada were recently put on hold, with production now delayed until at least early 2026. Some of that might have to do with possible U.S. tariffs on Canadian and Mexican vehicles—adding a layer of uncertainty to the whole rollout.
According to Kelley Blue Book, a Stellantis spokesperson confirmed that the company has “temporarily paused work on the next-generation Jeep Compass, including activities at” the Canadian plant that was originally meant to build the model. They added that Stellantis is “reassessing its product strategy in North America” to better match customer needs and demand for different powertrain options.
So while Europe and other markets are gearing up to get the Compass EV soon, American drivers might be left waiting—or miss out entirely.
That’s a shame, because on paper, this electric Jeep hits a lot of sweet spots. Let’s just hope it finds a way over here.

Cars

Tesla just scrapped the Cybertruck range extender

Tesla CEO Elon Musk behind the wheel of a Cybertruck.

The writing was pretty much on the wall for the Cybertruck range extender last month when Tesla removed the option from its website. Now, it’s officially scrapped it and is refunding the $2,000 deposits that customers put down for the $16,000 battery pack.

“We are no longer planning to sell the range extender for Cybertruck," Tesla said in a message to customers on Wednesday, adding, "As a result, we will be refunding your deposit in full.”

Cars

Zoox recalls robotaxis after Las Vegas crash, citing software fix

Amazon's self-driving vehicle unit, Zoox, has issued a voluntary safety recall after one of its autonomous vehicles was involved in a minor collision in Las Vegas. The incident, which occurred in April 2025, led the company to investigate and identify a software issue affecting how the robotaxi anticipates another vehicle’s path.
The recall, affecting 270 Zoox-built vehicles, was formally filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Zoox said the issue has already been addressed through a software update that was remotely deployed to its fleet.
Zoox’s robotaxis, which operate without driving controls like a steering wheel or pedals, are part of Amazon’s entry into the autonomous driving space. According to Zoox’s safety recall report, the vehicle failed to yield to oncoming traffic while making an unprotected left turn, leading to a low-speed collision with a regular passenger car. While damage was minor, the event raised flags about the system’s behavior in complex urban scenarios.
Establishing safety and reliability remain key factors in the deployment of the relatively new autonomous ride-hailing technology. Alphabet-owned Waymo continues to lead the sector in both safety and operational scale, with services active in multiple cities including Phoenix and San Francisco. But GM’s Cruise and Ford/VW-backed Argo AI were forced to abandon operations over the past few years.
Tesla is also expected to enter the robotaxi race with the launch of its own service in June 2025, leveraging its Full Self-Driving (FSD) software. While FSD has faced heavy regulatory scrutiny through last year, safety regulations are expected to loosen under the Trump administration.
Zoox, which Amazon acquired in 2020, says it issued the recall voluntarily as part of its commitment to safety. “It’s essential that we remain transparent about our processes and the collective decisions we make,” the company said in a statement.