Nissan’s New Midsize SUV in China Makes the Pathfinder Look Ancient

Key Points

• Nissan’s joint venture launches the high-tech NX8 SUV for China’s EV market.
• NX8 features advanced design, semi-autonomous driving, and customizable OLED lighting.
• Global availability remains an open question.

Nissan’s Chinese Arm in an Aggressive Stride
After releasing two high-tech sedans meant to be sold worldwide, the N6 and N7, Nissan’s Chinese arm, a joint venture with Dongfeng, officially announced its first high-riding model. Meet the NX8 – a midsize SUV that’s so high-tech, it makes the Nissan Pathfinder – yes, even the recently updated version – look ancient by comparison.

The NX8 is part of Nissan’s new N-series, representing the legacy brand’s aggressive strategy in China’s tightly contested new-energy vehicle market. While Nissan still plays it safe in the US (hello, Rogue Plug-In Hybrid), the NX8 leans hard into fast charging, advanced software, and China-specific EV expectations.

Design, Size, and High-End Tech
Design-wise, the NX8 fits squarely into China’s modern premium EV lookbook. The SUV adopts an evolved version of Nissan’s V-motion styling language. Up front, a 7.9-foot full-width “star ring” light bar anchors the fascia alongside a flat illuminated Nissan badge and matrix-style headlights. Flush door handles and tightly integrated side panels help keep the profile clean, while the rear wears a full-width OLED taillight panel – the same tech found in Audis – made up of more than 2,000 individual lighting elements with customizable patterns.

In terms of size, the NX8 sits in the midsize SUV segment, though it’s slightly shorter than America’s Pathfinder. It measures 191.7 inches long, 75.6 inches wide, and 66.1 inches tall, riding on a 114.8-inch wheelbase.

Interior details haven’t been fully disclosed yet, but the tech direction is clear. The NX8 supports highway and urban navigation assistance, full-scenario intelligent parking, and LiDAR-backed driver-support systems, which means it has advanced, hands-on semi-autonomous driving rather than basic driver aids.

Will It Ever Reach America?
The NX8 offers both fully electric and plug-in hybrid powertrain options. The EV version uses a single motor producing either 288 or 335 horsepower. The plug-in hybrid differs from the one in the Outlander-based Rogue PHEV, acting more like an extended-range EV with a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine rated at 146 hp and a 262-hp electric motor. The driving ranges for both types haven’t been released yet.

Curb weight ranges from 4,840 to 4,950 lbs, depending on configuration, with a gross vehicle weight of about 5,865 lbs. Both variants ride on an 800-volt electrical architecture and support CATL’s 5C ultra-fast charging. Energy comes from Nissan’s next-generation lithium-iron phosphate Yundun battery, engineered to operate from -22°F to 140°F. Top speed is rated at 112 mph.

Like the N6 and N7 sedans, the NX8 could eventually be exported, although Nissan has yet to officially announce, particularly the timing or pricing. Then again, we’re not counting on this model to ever reach America, but it’s a clear reminder of the possibilities out there.