The 2024 Nissan Pathfinder: Rugged good looks, a well-appointed cabin and top safety ratings

Engineered around family comfort and safety, the Nissan Pathfinder mixes rugged good looks with an available sophisticated 4-wheel-drive (all-wheel-drive) system to provide a sense of go-anywhere adventure. In fact, its Rock Creek trim level further cranks up the Pathfinder’s off-road character. When appropriately equipped, it delivers a segment-leading 6,000 pounds of towing capacity. However, it’s the well-appointed cabin, family-oriented features, and impressive technologies that attract buyers year after year.

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2024 Nissan Pathfinder pricing

We expect the 2024 Nissan Pathfinder to start around $35,900. This is on par with competitors like the Hyundai Palisade, Chevy Traverse, and Subaru Ascent. The Pathfinder has several pricier rivals, as well, like the Ford
F,
+0.76%
Explorer, Toyota Highlander
TM,
+0.56%,
and the new Mazda CX-90
MZDAY,
+4.35%.

Within the Nissan
NSANY,
+2.08%
 family, there are also the 5-passenger Murano ($33,860) or the smaller Rogue ($27,760). To gain more towing capacity in your 3-row Nissan, move up to the Armada that fetches around $51,000 and can tug up to 8,500 pounds.

Nissan identifies the Pathfinder’s all-wheel drive as 4-wheel drive (4WD), and charges $1,900 for the upgrade. The new Rock Creek grade includes 4WD. Among the Pathfinder’s five trim levels, we think the SL provides the most value.

These are estimated manufacturer’s suggested retail prices and don’t include the $1,695 factory delivery fee.

Before buying a 2024 Nissan Pathfinder, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to learn what you should really pay. Pathfinder resale values are a bit shy of average for the segment.

Also see: The Volkswagen Atlas is refreshed for 2024, and it’s big, bold and agile

What’s new for 2024?

With the Pathfinder’s total redesign in 2022 and the introduction of the Rock Creek trim in 2023, we don’t expect much in the way of change for 2024. Usually carmakers satisfy themselves with a couple of new wheel designs and exterior colors.

When does the 2024 Nissan Pathfinder come out?

We expect to see the 2024 Pathfinder in Nissan showrooms in the fall of 2023. This would follow the lead of the on-sale date of the 2023 model. Nissan introduced the current generation of Pathfinder in 2022.

Driving the 2024 Nissan Pathfinder

We’ve put the latest Pathfinder through its paces on-road and off. We’ve driven it through mud, snow, and, of course, on paved roads where most Pathfinders will spend the bulk of their time. The Pathfinder has proven to be a smooth and comfortable family SUV.

The standard V6 engine is responsive, and the 9-speed automatic transmission delivers smooth and well-timed shifts right when you want them. Opting for 4-wheel drive (4WD) gets you seven selectable drive modes: Standard, Sport, Eco, Snow, Sand, Mud/Rut, and Tow. They help you optimize your driving experience based on what you need at the moment.

With 4WD, off-road performance is more than sufficient for most drivers in the market for a practical 3-row SUV. This is particularly true with the new Rock Creek model. Although the modern Pathfinder may not be the off-roader it once was, the current model isn’t without skills. For instance, it can climb a mountain road, play in the mud, and traverse snowy streets without skipping a beat.

Our only major complaint is road noise. Even on smooth pavement, we noticed more than an average dose of noise seeping into the passenger compartment.

We’ve spent hundreds of hours driving and evaluating the current field of 3-row SUVs, including the Nissan Pathfinder.

Versatile interior

We’re big fans of the Pathfinder’s second-row captain’s chairs introduced with the redesign in 2022. They give it a 2-2-3 seating configuration with a removable center console. With the standard center bench in place, the Pathfinder’s seating count is eight. Nissan has a reputation for comfortable seats and the Pathfinder builds on that legacy. However, several of our readers mentioned the lack of a height adjustment for the front passenger seat with a fixed seating position somewhat close to the floor. Families should appreciate the four cupholders and two USB ports in the reclining third-row seat area.

The Pathfinder interior looks modern and spacious, highlighted by an available 12.3-inch digital instrument panel with several screen options. An available 10.8-inch head-up display allows the driver to see readouts such as vehicle speed and navigational directions projected onto the back of the windshield.

Also available is a 9-inch color touchscreen (an 8-inch screen is standard) positioned high on the Pathfinder’s center console and within easy reach of the driver and front passenger. It’s complemented by uniquely shaped air vents that interlock into the soft dash surfaces. An electronic shifter rests on a bridge-style center console with a handy storage cubby below.

Cloth and leather upholstery are offered in a variety of colors, and there are seven available Pathfinder interior environments. For example, one features brushed bronze metallic accents. Ambient interior lighting adds to the cabin’s pleasant nature, while four USB ports and a pair of 12-volt power outlets add to the practicality.

The second-row bench has a one-touch release, allowing the seat to fold and slide forward. It eases entry/exit for the third row, and its operation doesn’t interfere with child seats. Behind the rearmost bench is enough space for a 120-quart cooler or four golf bags. We are impressed that, with both rows folded, the Pathfinder can carry multiple 4×8 plywood sheets flat on the floor without any awkward angles. However, the third-row legroom is stingier than key competitors like the Kia Telluride, Honda Pilot, and Volkswagen Atlas. We tossed a few items, like muddy shoes, into the under-floor cubbies in back.

Rugged look

Nissan tells us the design of the current Pathfinder was inspired by adventure gear, styled to look strong and capable. It does so with a blunter face, flatter hood, wider stance, prominent fender flares, and reduced front and rear overhangs. Larger tires also add to the rugged SUV look. In fact, as competitors like the Hyundai
HYMTF,
+4.18%
Palisade strive to be more elegant, the Pathfinder revels in its tougher appearance.

The corporate V-Motion grille is there, leaving no doubt that this is a Nissan. Moreover, those three slots at the top of the grille sneakily pay tribute to the ones used on the hood of the original 1986 Pathfinder. The design of the rear side windows also pays homage to its oldest ancestor.

Exterior design elements include available two-tone paint schemes. The standard LED headlights include slim upper daytime running lights. Adding to the muscular look are U-shaped side design elements linking the powerful fender blisters.

In the back, the new Pathfinder has a boxy look with slim but wide LED taillights. You can’t miss the word “Pathfinder” boldly emblazoned across the liftgate in oversized satin chrome letters.

Fourteen colors and color combinations are available on the 2024 Pathfinder, including five two-tone treatments. Scarlet Ember with Super Black Metallic looks especially good, as does the outdoorsy Obsidian Green Pear.

Our favorite features and tech

EZ Flex seats
We’re still amazed by how easy it is to operate this feature. With a single touch, the middle-row seats release, fold forward, and slide to ease access to the third row.

ProPilot Assist
Nissan’s semi-autonomous driver-assistance system marries adaptive cruise control with steering assist. This allows the Pathfinder to accelerate, steer, and brake itself under certain conditions.

Surround-view camera
Standard starting in the SL trim, this system creates a 360-degree bird’s-eye view of the Pathfinder and the surrounding area to make easy work of parking. In its Rock Creek application, it also shows the terrain immediately in front of the vehicle when you shift into 4WD. We found it extremely helpful in our off-road testing, mitigating the need for a spotter to direct us around tricky terrain.

Hands-free power liftgate
If you’ve ever tried to open a rear liftgate with your arms full of packages or bags of groceries, you’ll appreciate this feature as much as we did. As long as you have the key fob, the hatch automatically opens with a kick of your foot under the rear bumper.

Bose audio system
Optional in the SL and standard in the top-end Platinum grade, this 13-speaker audio system includes a subwoofer. It made us feel like we were in a concert hall.

Digital gauge cluster
This 12.3-inch fully digital cluster becomes standard in the Platinum trim. We were able to toggle between a range of information. For example, warnings, settings, sound-system information, and safety systems.

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One powertrain

A 3.5-liter V6 producing 284 horsepower and 259 lb-ft of torque powers every 2023 Nissan Pathfinder. Also standard is a 9-speed automatic transmission.

With the tow package, the Nissan Pathfinder has best-in-class towing capacity of 6,000 pounds. The only direct competitor that comes close is the Ford Explorer, which can tow up to 5,600 pounds, while the Kia Telluride can now muster 5,500 pounds. This opens up what you’re able to tow with a midsize 3-row crossover, like smaller RVs that start around 5,200 pounds.

The power, torque, and fuel economy of the Pathfinder are all about typical for this class.

More Pathfinder fuel economy information is available on the EPA’s website.

3-year/36,000-mile warranty

The Pathfinder is covered by a 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and 5-Year/60,000-mile powertrain coverage. This warranty coverage is the same as most of the segment, including the Honda
HMC,
+2.31%
Pilot, Ford Explorer, and Mazda CX-90.

Top-tier safety ratings

The gold standard of safety ratings is the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Top Safety Pick+ award. The Pathfinder made the TSP+ list for 2023, as well as earning five out of five stars in the government’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s overall safety rating. You can learn more about Pathfinder’s safety ratings at IIHS and NHTSA.

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This story originally ran on KBB.com.