2025 Nissan Pathfinder review
The Nissan Pathfinder has long been a mainstay of Nissan’s extensive family of SUVs. The first generation arrived back in the mid-1980s when it was a two-door SUV based on the rugged Hardbody pickup truck. Times have changed, and the Pathfinder has evolved into a family-friendly three-row SUV. It competes with a wide range of makes and models, including the Kia Telluride, Ford Explorer, Chevrolet Traverse, and Honda Pilot. While not groundbreaking in what it offers, the Pathfinder provides the passenger space, cargo volume, and commanding view of the road SUV shoppers crave. It is also among the midsize SUVs with the highest towing capability.
Explore the evolution of the Nissan Pathfinder
Get our expert take on used Nissan Pathfinder models, or view year-by-year changes.
Fifth generation Nissan Pathfinder
The 2025 Nissan Pathfinder rolls into another model year with no notable changes. This generation arrived in 2022 and elevated Nissan’s popular people mover with its smooth ride, updated drivetrain, cabin quality, and feature content. Available with a choice of front- or all-wheel drive, every Pathfinder gets down the road courtesy of a 284-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 coupled to a nine-speed automatic transmission. Acceleration is strong and linear, and the Pathfinder has no trouble getting up to highway speeds. Fuel economy is also competitive at an EPA-estimated 23 mpg combined city/highway
. This figure dips only slightly when all-wheel drive is ordered.Inside, there are adult-friendly degrees of headroom and legroom in all three rows— something that can’t be said for many rival midsize SUVs. It’ll take a little dexterity to get to the third row, though Nissan has a clever removable center console when second-row captain’s chairs are ordered. At around 16 cubic feet in capacity, cargo volume is a little snug when every seat is occupied. Fold down the third row and this expands to a roomy 45 cubic feet. Handy standard features in the Pathfinder include tri-zone climate control, an eight-inch touchscreen, wired smartphone connectivity (a wireless connection is available), blind-spot warning, forward and reverse automatic emergency braking, and a rear seat reminder. The 2025 Pathfinder is offered in five trims: S, SV, SL, Rock Creek, and Platinum.
Model highlights
284-horsepower V6
Front- or all-wheel drive
Towing capacity of 6,000 pounds when properly equipped
Seating for seven or eight people
Available removable center console
All-terrain capability (Rock Creek trim)
Available nine-inch touchscreen
Available heated first- and second-row seating
Available panoramic sunroof
Fourth generation Nissan Pathfinder
The fourth generation of the Nissan Pathfinder is a solid pick among a crowded field of midsize SUVs with three rows of seating. Its near class-leading towing capability and smooth-running V6 engine make it appealing to SUV shoppers who appreciate having capable and confident acceleration. Having a third row that can actually be used by adults can also be something of a rarity among midsize SUVs. Introduced for the 2013 model year, this Pathfinder generation received continual improvements with the addition of features like a larger infotainment screen, standard automatic emergency braking, and available blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert. In case you’re looking for a 2021 version of the Pathfinder, you won’t find it. Nissan skipped a model year when moving from fourth- to fifth-generation versions.
Model highlights
Standard 3.5-liter V6
Excellent towing capability
Room for adults in all three rows
Available front- and all-wheel drive
Changes by year
Latest generation from 2022 - present
2025 Nissan Pathfinder
2024 Nissan Pathfinder
2023 Nissan Pathfinder
Highlights
Wireless charging pad newly standard on SL trim
Off-road-themed Rock Creek model debuted with all-wheel drive, 0.6-inch suspension lift, underbody skid plates, and all-terrain tires
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2022 Nissan Pathfinder
Highlights
All-new fifth-generation Pathfinder
More powerful and efficient 3.5-liter V6
Improved storage options and ride quality
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Previous generation from 2013 - 2020
2020 Nissan Pathfinder
2019 Nissan Pathfinder
Highlights
USB-C ports available for first and second rows
Standard rear parking sensors
SV trim added standard blind-spot warning, adaptive cruise control, and rear cross-traffic alert
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2018 Nissan Pathfinder
Highlights
Automatic emergency braking standard on all trims
Rear seat reminder added
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2017 Nissan Pathfinder
Highlights
Updated headlights and taillights
Increased engine power from 260 hp to 284 hp
Increased towing capacity from 5,000 to 6,000 pounds
Eight-inch touchscreen standard
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2016 Nissan Pathfinder
2015 Nissan Pathfinder
Highlights
Available blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert
Continuously variable automatic transmission reprogrammed to mimic traditional shift points
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Reliability
RepairPal gave the Nissan Pathfinder an overall reliability rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars, which RepairPal describes as Above Average. This rating ranks Nissan Pathfinder 18th out of 32 among Midsize SUVs.
RepairPal reports that the average total annual cost for repairs and maintenance on a Nissan Pathfinder is $517, compared to an average of $494 for Midsize SUVs and $591 for all the vehicles RepairPal considered in its dataset.
According to RepairPal, Nissan Pathfinder owners bring their vehicles into a repair shop for unscheduled repairs an average of 1.2 times per year, compared to an average of 1.0 times for Midsize SUVs and 1.3 times for all the vehicles RepairPal considered in its dataset.
RepairPal reported that the probability of a repair being a severe or major issue is 14% for the Nissan Pathfinder, compared to an average of 14% for Midsize SUVs and 14% for all the vehicles RepairPal considered in its dataset.
Nick Kurczewski has been writing about cars for more than 20 years, and his enthusiasm for journalism has led him to cover auto-related stories around the world. From blasting down the German autobahn to covering every major auto show, his stories have appeared in the New York Times, Car and Driver, U.S. News & World Report, Kelley Blue Book, Cars.com and the New York Daily News, where he served as head editor. Having once aspired to be a Formula One racer, Nick discovered sharing his passion for cars as a journalist is just as thrilling as dreaming of pole position at the Monaco Grand Prix.
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Statements of fuel economy or EV range are based on EPA and other third-party estimates for vehicles when new. Fuel economy and EV range will degrade with time and vary based on age, driving conditions, vehicle history, and other conditions. See fueleconomy.gov for more info.
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