Nissan Pathfinder and Murano 2026: Breakthrough Qi2 wireless charging keeps engines cool and charges fast.
Nissan has become the first automaker in the US to equip the 2026 Pathfinder and Murano with the Qi2 charging standard, integrating a cooling fan and magnets to completely solve the problem of phones overheating or disconnecting from charging.
Overheating phones and constantly slipping off the charging dock during sudden braking or cornering are common annoyances for car users today. To address this issue, Nissan has just announced an upgrade to the wireless charging system on two new models, the 2026 Pathfinder and Murano, making them the first vehicles in the US market to utilize the advanced Qi2 standard.
Qi2 Standard: A new leap forward in speed and stability
Since July 2025, when the Wireless Power Consortium announced the Qi2 standard, Nissan has quickly integrated this technology into its product range. Unlike the older Qi Extended Power Profile standard from 2015, which had unstable charging power, Qi2 supports a fixed charging speed of 15W.
Notably, this power level ensures the phone can still recharge even while running demanding applications. According to engineer Matt Zimmerman from the Nissan North America Engineering Center, applications like Apple Maps, Waze, or Spotify can consume nearly 5W of power even with the screen off. With older 5W chargers, the phone would only be able to maintain its current battery level without being able to fully charge it.
A solution for heat dissipation and device securing using magnets.
One of the biggest drawbacks of wireless charging in cars is the heat generated during the electromagnetic induction process. When the phone gets too hot, the system automatically reduces the current or cuts off charging to protect the battery. To overcome this, Nissan has integrated a cooling fan beneath the charging base. The airflow from the fan helps cool both the charging base and the back of the phone, maintaining maximum charging efficiency over the long term.
In addition, aligning the coil between the phone and the charging base is crucial for optimizing current flow. Nissan has equipped the charging surface with a floating magnetic ring. This system has two main functions:
- Precise alignment:This helps keep the coils inside the phone (especially in newer iPhone models) perfectly centered for optimal transmission efficiency.
- Secure the device:Preventing your phone from becoming a "flying object" when the car is moving over bumpy roads or taking sharp turns is especially useful for phones with protruding cameras that can be damaged on uneven surfaces.
Intuitive user interface and usability
To enhance convenience, Nissan equips the device with clear LED status indicators. An orange light shows that the device is charging, while a green light indicates that the battery is full. Notably, if the orange light is flashing, the system is warning that a foreign object such as a key or wallet is obstructing the charging process.
Regarding the commercialization roadmap, this new Qi2 wireless charger will be standard equipment on the 2026 Nissan Murano. For the 2026 Nissan Pathfinder, this feature will appear on certain specific versions and is expected to be available at dealerships early this year.
