2024 Nissan Pathfinder SUV

　　

2024 Nissan Pathfinder Review

byMichael CantuCorrespondent

　　Michael Cantu has worked in the automotive industry since 2014. He has written over 800 car-related articles and tested and reviewed over 100 vehicles over the course of his career. Michael is a contributor at zzdcar and has also contributed to MotorTrend, Digital Trends and InsideEVs. Michael was featured on a few InsideEVs YouTube channel videos on the topic of electric vehicles. Michael was a MotorTrend Car of the Year judge for 2019 and was a driver in MotorTrend's World's Greatest Drag Races 7 & 8.

　　, rating written byMichael CantuVehicle Test Editor

　　Reese Counts has worked in the automotive industry since he started as an intern at zzdcar in 2015. He has written or edited thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Reese is a vehicle test editor at zzdcar and has also contributed to Autoblog. Reese has also been featured on Yahoo! Finance, Engadget and AOL reviewing cars and covering automotive technology, auto shows and more. Reese learned to drive in his father's C4 Chevrolet Corvette and now owns his grandfather's 1999 Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG. A love for cars runs deep in his family.

　　The Pathfinder is Nissan's midsize three-row SUV that seats up to eight passengers. It's the second-largest SUV in Nissan's lineup, after the Armada. It's the SUV to get if you need seating for more than five but don't want the enormous and thirsty Armada. The versatile Pathfinder can accommodate a large family with all three rows up, or lots of cargo if you fold one or both rows down. If you need to tow, its 6,000-pound max capacity is high for the segment. The Pathfinder was redesigned for the 2022 model year and carries over unchanged for 2024.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2024 Nissan Pathfinder S 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 9A) 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 $3.06 per gallon for regular unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$165/mo  for Pathfinder S

　　Pathfinder S

　　S 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 9A) - $35,810 MSRPS 4dr SUV 4WD (3.5L 6cyl 9A) - $37,710 MSRPSV 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 9A) - $38,630 MSRPSV 4dr SUV 4WD (3.5L 6cyl 9A) - $40,530 MSRPSL 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 9A) - $42,230 MSRPSL 4dr SUV 4WD (3.5L 6cyl 9A) - $44,130 MSRPRock Creek 4dr SUV 4WD (3.5L 6cyl 9A) - $43,630 MSRPPlatinum 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 9A) - $48,780 MSRPPlatinum 4dr SUV 4WD (3.5L 6cyl 9A) (Most Popular) - $50,680 MSRP

　　vs

　　$229/mo

　　Avg. Large SUV

　　

zzdcar spotlight: The Rock Creek

The Pathfinder is available in five trim levels, from the base S to the top Platinum model. In the middle lies the Rock Creek. Most midsize SUVs offer a trail-inspired model that boasts a distinct rugged look and offers added off-road capability, and that's exactly what the Rock Creek is. It stands out from the rest of the Pathfinder lineup thanks to its unique grille, bumpers, wheels and upgraded roof rack. You can also travel a little farther off the beaten path thanks to the Rock Creek's standard all-wheel-drive system, all-terrain tires and off-road-tuned suspension with a 0.6-inch lift. It also gets an additional 11 horsepower and 11 lb-ft of torque with premium fuel.

　　

Competitors to consider

The Pathfinder competes in a segment filled with talented rivals including the highly rated Kia Telluride, Hyundai Palisade, Mazda CX-90 and Volkswagen Atlas. There are also popular choices like the Honda Pilot, Toyota Highlander and Ford Explorer. The Pathfinder's rating puts it toward the bottom of the list, so we recommend looking into its many competitors. For an in-depth review of the Pathfinder's comfort, tech, utility and more, check out the zzdcar Expert Rating below.

　　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.

　　Good

　　7.7

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

7.5/10

　　How does the Pathfinder drive? The Pathfinder feels right on par for the class. Performance from the V6 is about even with the class leaders. The transmission can be reluctant to downshift when you're going uphill, but most of the time it shifts smoothly and unobtrusively. Braking performance is average as well.

　　On turns, the Pathfinder feels composed and stable. The steering feels a bit heavier than the steering in some rivals, but it's direct and makes the sizable Pathfinder easy to turn and park.

　　

Comfort

8.0/10

　　How comfortable is the Pathfinder? We didn't find the Pathfinder to be the most comfortable vehicle in its class, but it's not a bad place to spend your time. The ride is comfortable without feeling overly soft or bouncy. You feel bumps, but they don't send shocks through the seats. The front seats are a bit flat and firm, so comfort can wane after a long day behind the wheel.

　　The climate control system works well, blowing very cold without the fans imitating a jet engine at takeoff. We like the system's easy-to-use buttons and knobs too. Wind and road noise levels are pretty low.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below