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USCar Trader import service
Choose a specific vehicle. Where data is available, its detail page shows the import cost calculation. We assess any possible duty benefit with you before purchase.
Important: A 0% EU import-duty rate may be available for a vehicle covered by Regulation (EU) 2026/1455 that has US origin and is imported directly into the EU. CETA may apply to a vehicle with preferential Canadian origin. Whether the requirements are met is assessed for the individual case. Please contact us before purchase; we review the possible duty benefit and provide non-binding support through the process. Import VAT and other costs are assessed separately.
CarHub · Nissan
The Nissan Pathfinder is one of the most abundant three-row SUVs on the American used market, which makes it a practical candidate for a private import to Germany or the wider EU.
Model profile
The nameplate spans five generations. The third generation (R51, 2005–2012) is a body-on-frame SUV built for towing and light off-road use. The fourth generation (R52, 2013–2020) switched to a car-derived unibody platform, prioritising ride comfort, interior space and fuel economy over rugged ability.
Powertrain and equipment
Nissan kept the drivetrain simple. The R51 used the VQ40DE 4.0-litre V6 with around 266 hp. The R52 runs the familiar VQ35DE 3.5-litre V6 (around 260 hp, later 284 hp on facelifted cars) paired with Nissan's Xtronic CVT.
The Pathfinder is sold only as a five-door, seven- or eight-seat SUV. US trim walk typically runs S, SV, SL and Platinum, with a rugged-look Rock Creek edition on the current car. Higher trims add leather, panoramic roof, motion-activated tailgate, tri-zone climate, larger touchscreens and driver-assist packages.
Vehicle selection
Supply is deep.
A used Pathfinder import makes sense if you want a spacious, comfortable seven-seater with a proven petrol V6 rather than a small turbo engine, and you value the wide US selection over the thinner European Pathfinder market.
Vehicle data
| Body style | Detail (5th gen R53, typical): 5-door SUV, 7–8 seats |
|---|---|
| Length | Detail (5th gen R53, typical): approx. 5,004 mm |
| Width | Detail (5th gen R53, typical): approx. 1,978 mm |
| Wheelbase | Detail (5th gen R53, typical): approx. 2,900 mm |
| Kerb weight | Detail (5th gen R53, typical): approx. 1,950–2,100 kg |
| Seating | Detail (5th gen R53, typical): 7 or 8 |
| Engine | Detail (5th gen R53, typical): 3.5 L V6 (VQ35DD), direct injection |
|---|---|
| Power | Detail (5th gen R53, typical): approx. 284 hp (212 kW) |
| Torque | Detail (5th gen R53, typical): approx. 259 lb-ft (351 Nm) |
| Transmission | Detail (5th gen R53, typical): 9-speed automatic |
| Drive | Detail (5th gen R53, typical): FWD or Intelligent 4WD |
| Fuel | Detail (5th gen R53, typical): Petrol (regular) |
| 0–100 km/h | Detail (5th gen R53, typical): approx. 7.5 s |
|---|---|
| Towing (braked) | Detail (5th gen R53, typical): up to approx. 2,700 kg |
| Assembly | Detail (5th gen R53, typical): Smyrna, Tennessee, USA (verify by VIN) |
Values are reproduced verbatim from the existing article table. The documents for the specific vehicle govern.
Pre-purchase review
The single most important reliability topic is the fourth-generation R52's Xtronic CVT. The JATCO-built transmission is prone to overheating, shudder and, in worst cases, premature failure — budget for a fluid and cooler check, and treat a car with a documented CVT replacement as a plus, not a minus.
Germany and Europe
US Pathfinders run amber front side markers, red rear turn signals and lighting calibrated to American standards, plus miles-per-hour instruments. Radios are set to the US FM raster.
US-market headlights use the FMVSS/SAE beam pattern, which differs from the ECE pattern required in the EU, so they may need adjustment or replacement with ECE-compliant units for registration.
USCar Trader services
As a buyer based in Germany, you do not have to inspect the vehicle yourself in the United States or Canada. Within the agreed scope, USCar Trader can coordinate document review, a separately commissioned on-site inspection and purchase processing.
Covered inspection points are agreed in advance. An on-site inspection records condition at the appointment and is not a guarantee.
Next step: Before commissioning, USCar Trader and the customer agree which document, history, inspection and transaction checks suit the vehicle and are included in the service. This records what was actually checked.
Import process
We coordinate each stage and hand you the documents you need.
Questions and answers
No, not automatically. A 0% EU import-duty rate may be available for a vehicle covered by Regulation (EU) 2026/1455 that has US origin and is imported directly into the EU. CETA may apply to a vehicle with preferential Canadian origin. Whether the requirements are met is assessed for the individual case. Please contact USCar Trader before purchase; we review the possible duty benefit and provide non-binding support. Import VAT and other costs are assessed separately.
The current fifth generation (from 2022) with its nine-speed automatic avoids the CVT concerns of the 2013–2020 car and is the safer long-term choice, though clean R52s remain good value.
The main ones are the R52 CVT and the R51/R52 radiator-to-transmission coolant leak. A documented CVT and cooler check largely settle these worries.
No. The US Pathfinder is petrol-only with a 3.5-litre V6, so expect V6 fuel consumption rather than diesel economy.
Import VAT and other taxes or costs are assessed separately under the applicable rules and the circumstances of the individual case. A blanket answer for every vehicle would not be reliable.
Yes, after standard adaptations such as a rear fog lamp and headlight adjustment, followed by individual approval (§21).
Higher American mileage is normal; a well-serviced V6 with clean history is more important than a low odometer reading.
Available VIN, title and history information can be reviewed in the vehicle profile. USCar Trader can also arrange a separately booked on-site inspection within a scope agreed in advance.
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