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Hey all, first time posting here been member for a while mostly read.

The new transmission is a 9 speed ZF, so it won't be a straight over swap. It is nothing like the Frontier one as that transmission is for a RWD set up and the one in the Pathfinder is a FWD set up. There is lots of info out there already on this transmission, unfortunately it's had issues, Honda & Chrysler use this unit in their FWD base vehicles. Due to financial struggles at Nissan this was the most cost effective way for them to get a new trans by sourcing it from ZF.

The ZF units are heavily controlled by electronics so would need to have the correct software to manage how it shifts in relation to the engine or maybe even change out the computer control module? My youngest brother works for Nissan Canada and I can ask him if it is possible to swap and how easy it would be and the cost of course. He will actually have a 2022 demo to use for 2 weeks in April so I will get a chance to see it up close and also how it drives.

 

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I know it has been a while but first chance I have had to return here and provide an update to my previous post. The info provided to me is that it would be stupid expensive to swap out the old CVT and install the new 9 speed transmission into an older gen Pathfinder. It would involve a new 9 spd transmission (obviously), a new computer to control the shifting including a wiring harness, new mounts as they are different, new axle shafts and apparently the drive shaft is different. Parts alone would be in excess of $8-9K (CND) and then labor to do it all. Hope this helps out anyone still wondering.

As far as the new Pathfinder it drove very well, had lots of power and transmission was very smooth and responsive. It felt like it had way more power than the previous generation but I think that is the new transmission having much better gearing giving a sens of more power and quicker acceleration. Also one thing that was great was no drone from the trans when climbing hills or passing on the highway like the CVT models had. This was a pre-production model that was for internal use but the fit and finish was very good considering. In my opinion I think Nissan will have a winner here.