2020 Nissan Pathfinder Review

　　

2020 Nissan Pathfinder Review

byDan FrioReviews Editor

　　Dan spent many years covering the go-fast, look-good, get-loud corners of the automotive universe. First, he served as editor of enthusiast magazines AutoSound and Honda Tuning, then as executive editor at SEMA News, the publishing arm of the trade group that produces the annual SEMA Show (yes, that show). As a contributor to zzdcar, he now likes to keep the volume low and the speed limit legal, providing expert car-shopping advice to drivers looking for the perfect match.

　　Capable and roomy, the 2020 Nissan Pathfinder makes a decent choice for families seeking three-row utility and impressive towing capacity. The Pathfinder also makes it easy to bring along outdoor toys on trips out of town, but some of its shortcomings make it less compelling than newer rivals.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2020 Nissan Pathfinder S 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl CVT) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.04 per gallon for regular unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$164/mo  for Pathfinder S

　　Pathfinder S

　　S 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl CVT) - $31,980 MSRPS 4dr SUV 4WD (3.5L 6cyl CVT) - $33,670 MSRPSV 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl CVT) - $34,770 MSRPSV 4dr SUV 4WD (3.5L 6cyl CVT) - $36,460 MSRPSL 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl CVT) - $38,390 MSRPSL 4dr SUV 4WD (3.5L 6cyl CVT) (Most Popular) - $40,080 MSRPPlatinum 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl CVT) - $43,220 MSRPPlatinum 4dr SUV 4WD (3.5L 6cyl CVT) - $44,910 MSRP

　　vs

　　$229/mo

　　Avg. Large SUV

　　For 2020, the Pathfinder carries over unchanged. Last year's updates included adding front- and second-row USB-C ports and a trickle-down to lower trim levels of advanced driver aids such as adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The Rock Creek appearance package, which debuted last year, returns for 2020 and dusts the Pathfinder with a bit of mojo from its earliest days as a formidable off-road SUV.

　　Today's three-row family crossover Pathfinder shares nothing but a name with the original issue model, but it's still a capable SUV in other ways. It's one of the few three-row SUVs that can tow up to 6,000 pounds regardless of trim level, thanks to a torque-rich 3.5-liter V6 engine. Only the Dodge Durango is rated for heavier towing. All Pathfinders also offer optional all-wheel drive.

　　But beyond its towing chops and smooth power delivery, the Pathfinder is a bit of a letdown. The native infotainment system feels about five years behind, and the lack of Apple CarPlay or Android Auto means there's no workaround. Other drawbacks include mediocre outward visibility, less cargo space than some top rivals offer, and some harshness in the ride quality.

　　The 2020 Nissan Pathfinder remains a solid jack-of-all-trades SUV with plenty of capability and passenger room and an easy driving demeanor. If you can sacrifice some towing capability, however, there are better choices. The Ford Explorer, Kia Telluride and Volkswagen Atlas all start around the same price and can tow 5,000 pounds or more. The aforementioned Durango is also worth a look.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Below Average

　　6.8

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

7.0/10

　　How does the Pathfinder drive? Competency and stability are clearly more important than raw speed and ability in this class. The Pathfinder's V6 engine provides enough power for everyday driving, and its suspension is tuned just firm enough to keep the body stable as you go around turns. The steering, however, can feel overly heavy at times.

　　Despite its name, the Pathfinder isn't really meant to find anything off the beaten path. It offers only 7 inches of ground clearance and should probably stick to loose gravel trails and slippery surfaces.

　　

Comfort

7.5/10

　　How comfortable is the Pathfinder? Comfort is a priority for a midsize crossover, and the Pathfinder generally delivers. The front seats are nicely shaped and padded. The second-row seating is decent for adults, but third-row seating is best suited for smaller children. The tri-zone climate control system is very effective, and there's good airflow even for third-row passengers.

　　You also get a smooth ride as long as you pick a Pathfinder with the smaller wheels. The Platinum trim's 20-inch wheels, and the short sidewall tires that come with them, create too many thumps and bumps when driving on rough pavement.

　　

Interior

6.5/10

　　How’s the interior? Most major controls are well labeled, but the layout appears cluttered. The steering wheel controls for the instrument panel display double as audio controls and can cause a bit of frustration. Buttons located by the driver's left knee also seem an afterthought.

　　The driving position isn't great either. Shorter drivers will feel as if they are sitting deep within a much larger SUV. But visibility to the sides and rear is aided by an optional surround-view camera system, making parallel parking a breeze.

　　

Technology

5.5/10

　　How’s the tech? The infotainment system is dated. From the buttons to the graphics to the information displayed, every part of this system lags well behind not only the competition but the times as well. To compound the matter, neither Apple CarPlay nor Android Auto is supported, so you're pretty much stuck with Nissan's old system.

　　But the optional 13-speaker Bose audio system is impressive. So if you ever have the Pathfinder all to yourself, you can absolutely rock out. And the array of standard driver's aids on SV, SL and Platinum trims is impressive.

　　

Storage

7.5/10

　　How’s the storage? A vehicle this size should be fairly versatile, and the Pathfinder is no exception. Thanks to easy-folding second- and third-row seats, there's more than enough cargo configurations. Another positive for the Pathfinder is that every trim level is rated to tow a robust 6,000 pounds. That puts the Nissan near the top of the class.

　　The downsides are a not completely flat load floor when all the seats are down, which can make sliding in longer items a bit frustrating, and less cargo capacity than some of the similarly sized competition.

　　

Fuel Economy

7.5/10

　　How’s the fuel economy? The EPA estimates an all-wheel-drive Pathfinder will get 22 mpg in combined driving (20 city/27 highway). This figure is typical for a three-row crossover SUV with a six-cylinder engine. On our mixed-driving 115-mile evaluation route, our AWD Pathfinder test vehicle got 21 mpg.

　　

Value

7.0/10

　　Is the Pathfinder a good value? The basic warranty of three years/36,000 miles and the five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty are about average for the class. In general, Nissan gives you pretty good value for your money, at least in terms of features, but the dated interior is a definite drawback.

　　

Wildcard

6.5/10

　　The Pathfinder does what you need it to but nothing more. Newer technology could go a long way in promoting the Pathfinder in a very competitive segment since it already checks so many other boxes.

　　

Which Pathfinder does zzdcar recommend?

While it's nearly the top-level trim, we like the Pathfinder SL because it adds desirable features such as a hands-free liftgate, a power-adjustable passenger seat, more driver-seat adjustments, a 360-degree parking camera, and leather upholstery. The SL costs about $3,600 more than the SV, but you get a lot for the money — including a navigation system, which you might want since neither Apple CarPlay nor Android Auto comes standard. The top-trim Platinum has even more features, but its 20-inch wheels make the ride harsh. We'd avoid the Platinum for this reason alone.

　　

2020 Nissan Pathfinder models

The 2020 Nissan Pathfinder comes in four trim levels: S, SV, SL and Platinum. All trims come with a 3.5-liter V6 engine (284 horsepower, 259 lb-ft of torque) paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard, but all-wheel drive is optional and includes hill descent control and a special locking function for extra traction. All Pathfinders can tow up to 6,000 pounds.

　　The S trim comes with a decent set of features and surprises, including roof rails, three-zone climate control, and a sliding/reclining second-row seat. In-cabin tech includes Bluetooth, an 8-inch touchscreen interface, a six-speaker sound system with CD/HD radio/satellite radio, and dual USB ports (one Type A and one Type C) for both front and rear passengers. Automatic emergency braking and reverse parking sensors also come standard.

　　Moving up to the SV adds a few more driver assistance features, such as blind-spot warning and adaptive cruise control, as well as amenities such as a power-adjustable driver's seat, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and an auto-dimming rearview mirror.

　　Next up is the SL, our recommended trim. It offers several more premium features than the SV for a reasonable price increase, with highlights that include a hands-free liftgate, heated front and rear seats, leather upholstery and a navigation system.

　　Finally, the Platinum adds luxury touches such as a panoramic sunroof, ventilated front seats, a power-adjustable steering wheel, and a premium Bose audio system. A rear-seat entertainment system with dual 8-inch headrest displays is optional for the Platinum only.

　　The Rock Creek Edition, available for SL and SV trims, includes blacked-out exterior trim such as 18-inch wheels, grille, roof rails and other exterior accents. Notably, this package also adds a trailer tow hitch and wiring harness. Choosing the Rock Creek Edition means you can also pad on two other separate packages with features such as the panoramic sunroof, heated front cloth seats and the Bose audio system.

　　

2020 Pathfinder Highlights

Trim: SSVSLPlatinumS

　　

Base MSRP	$31,980
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	23 MPG
Cost to Drive	$164/month
Seating	7 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	16.2 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles