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2024 Volkswagen Taos Review2024 Nissan Pathfinder Review
What do our experts think of the 2024 Nissan Pathfinder? We look at interior options, powertrain, and more in our review.
What’s New for the 2024 Nissan Pathfinder?
The Pathfinder is now a couple of years into its fourth generation and it’s available in five different trims with a single engine, one transmission, and either front or all-wheel drive to choose from. While rivals focus on luxury, performance, or off-road chops, the Pathfinder aims to hit the middle of the market rather than specialize in any single specialty. To that end it’s very comfortable, spacious, and capable.
Nissan hasn’t updated the Pathfinder for 2024. If you like the 2023 Pathfinder you’re going to love the 2024 edition since it’s identical down to the Rock Creek trim.
2024 Nissan Pathfinder – nissanusa.com | Shop 2024 Nissan Pathfinder on Carsforsale.com
Carsforsale.com Score
7.75/10
Powertrain
Score
8/10
Interior
Score
8.25/10
Technology
Score
7.5/10
Value
Score
7.25/10
The Breakdown
Spacious interior
Serious towing capacity
Quiet cabin
Subpar on-road manners
No real off-road chops
Pricey top trims
Another middling SUV
2024 Pathfinder Specs
- 284 horsepower from base engine
- 259 lb-ft of torque from base engine
- 5 available trims
- 16.6 cu-ft of cargo capacity
- 80.5 cu-ft of cargo capacity with seats folded
- Automatic emergency braking
- Basic 5-year/60k powertrain warranty
- Towing capacity of 6,000 lbs
2024 Nissan Pathfinder Powertrain 8/10
Under the hood of every Pathfinder is a 3.5-liter naturally aspirated V6 mated to a nine-speed automatic gearbox. In most trims, that engine develops 284 hp and 259 lb-ft of torque. In one specific trim called Rock Creek, it can make 295 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque but one needs to add premium fuel to realize that meager benefit.
Despite what sounds like relatively low power figures, the Pathfinder can tow up to 6,000 pounds when properly equipped. That’s at the top of the class and is enough to tow bigger things like pontoon boats.
Front-wheel drive is standard across the trim lineup aside from in the Rock Creek where it’s standard. Notably, every other trim is available with AWD should a buyer prefer it. Interestingly, AWD provides the best fuel economy according to the EPA where it scored 21 mpg in the city and 27 on the highway. The FWD Pathfinder actually saw a single MPG reduction on the highway and no change in the city.
Driving the Pathfinder feels almost like driving an appliance at times. It’s quiet, it’s smooth, and it’s functional but it lacks the engagement that some rivals offer. The engine offers adequate power for merging and overtaking but nothing more than that. The transmission is unnoticeable in most situations and the feedback through the steering wheel and pedals is about average for the class. Of course, some of that is intentional and exactly what some Nissan customers could be looking for.
AWD Pathfinders also benefit from seven different drive modes. The Rock Creek edition gets a 0.6-inch lift, 18-inch all-terrain tires, and unique bumper design changes. It’s better off-road than a stock Pathfinder but only by about 0.6 inches.
2024 Nissan Pathfinder Interior 8.25/10
The Pathfinder features a very squared-off interior design that looks great. It’s simple, classy, and will likely age well through the years. In addition, it’s very functional as it places all of the important controls well within arms reach of the driver. We really like the combination of physical buttons, physical switches, and touch controls.
It’s worth noting too that the Pathfinder is a very spacious vehicle on the inside. It actually has more driver and front passenger space than the larger and more expensive Nissan Armada. The second-row seats are available as either a three-person bench seat or as a pair of captain’s chairs with a removable center console. The third row is pretty small and not the easiest to get into but it’ll do the job for shorter trips or for kids.
All three rows benefit from the sound deadening that Nissan employs in the Pathfinder. The cabin is quiet and the seating is mostly very comfortable. Some have complained that the cushioning is a bit too stiff but others will enjoy that additional support. You’ll need to test it out yourself to determine if you like it or not.
Cargo space is limited to just 16.6 cubic feet with all seats in place but that expands to over 80 cubic feet with the seats stowed. That’s perfectly fine for this segment but not a class leader.
2024 Nissan Pathfinder Technology Features 7.5/10
Nissan offers most of the technology that buyers have become accustomed to over the last few years. That includes a standard 8-inch infotainment system, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and a number of driver aids.
Sadly, none of them are particularly impressive in this segment. For example, the 8-inch infotainment system feels small in a vehicle of this size. The available 9-inch unit is objectively better but doesn’t match what many rivals offer. Notably, it does offer wireless Apple connectivity along with integrated navigation. Still though, the nav system feels dated.
One feature that matches the class is the available 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster. It’s bright, featureful, and configurable. Buyers can also add a heads-up display, a wireless charging pad, and a 13-speaker Bose sound system which is impressive given its relatively low speaker count.
As far as safety goes the Pathfinder also represents a mixed bag. It did score five stars in NHTSA crash testing. It also won a Top Safety Pick+ award in 2022 and 2023 with the IIHS. This year, it might not meet that same standard though as the IIHS is constantly upgrading its standards. In addition, the Pathfinder comes with a slew of driver aids that fall short of competitors on two fronts.
First, the standard package on the base trim lacks important features like adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and blind-spot intervention. Secondly, many of the aids aren’t as sharp and accurate as those that we’ve tested in cars like the Kia Telluride and Mazda CX-90. For example, the lane-keep assist is prone to cross lane-markings from time to time.
2024 Nissan Pathfinder Trims & Pricing
S – $37,175
The base Pathfinder starts out with LED headlights, 18-inch wheels, tri-zone automatic climate control, cloth upholstery, an 8-inch infotainment system, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, six speakers, blind-spot warning, forward collision mitigation, rear automatic braking, and lane-departure warning. Customers get their choice of only three colors, black, white, and grey.
SV – $39,995
The SV feels more like what the base trim should be as it adds three more available paint colors, remote start, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, heated front seats, heated mirrors, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and blind-spot intervention.
SL – $43,595
This more tech-forward Pathfinder gets a power liftgate, leather upholstery, a heated steering wheel, a surround-view camera system, second-row sunshades, a 9-inch infotainment system, wireless device charging, wireless Apple connectivity, integrated navigation, traffic-sign recognition, along with more USB and 12-volt power ports.
Rock Creek Edition – $44,995
This off-road focused Pathfinder gets all-wheel drive, a 0.6-inch lift with off-road-tuned suspension, 18-inch wheels, all-terrain tires, unique bumpers, LED fog lights, a tubular roof rack with a 220-lb maximum capacity, heated second-row captain’s chairs, a tow-prep kit with a 6,000-lb capacity, faux leather upholstery, parking sensors, and orange interior contrast stitching. Notably, the Rock Creek edition also comes with an engine that can output 11 more hp and 11 lb-ft more torque when it’s filled up with premium fuel.
Platinum – $50,145
The top of the line Pathfinder gets ventilated front seats, 20-inch wheels, a panoramic sunroof, heated rear seats, a 13-speaker Bose sound system, power-folding mirrors, a hands-free liftgate, a digital instrument cluster, a house-hold style power outlet, a heads-up display, and an upgraded leather interior.
2024 Nissan Pathfinder Overall Value 7.25/10
The Pathfinder is an SUV that really just exists in the middle of the segment rather than rising to the top or sinking to the bottom. It’s comfortable and quiet in the cabin but many of its rivals offer that same experience along with perhaps better driving dynamics, improved fuel economy, or more serious off-roading chops.
Those sincerely interested in the Pathfinder can potentially leverage those facts during negotiations though. Notably, Nissan is offering the Pathfinder on lease for $489 a month for 36 months with $3,849 at signing right now. That’s probably the route we’d go if we wanted a Pathfinder since Nissan also fails to meet or beat the warranty coverage of rivals like Hyundai, Kia, and Jeep.
CarsForSale.com Overall Score 7.75/10
2024 Nissan Pathfinder – nissanusa.com | Shop 2024 Nissan Pathfinder on Carsforsale.com
We’ve love to see Nissan really try to corner the market with a focus on one aspect of design or another. Perhaps it could add a more off-road focused AWD system and a more serious off-road setup in the future. On the other hand, it could return with a hybrid version of the Pathfinder that focuses on fuel efficiency to steal sales from brands like Hyundai and Toyota.
2024 Nissan Pathfinder FAQ
How much is a Nissan Pathfinder?
The Pathfinder starts at $37,175 and can cost north of $50,000 depending on trim and options.
How much can a Nissan Pathfinder tow?
When properly equipped, the Pathfinder will tow up to 6,000 pounds.
How tall is the Nissan Pathfinder?
The Nissan Pathfinder is 70.9 inches or about five feet and nine inches.
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