The Pathfinder is Nissan’s tried and true midsize SUV that’s been around for 40 years. With three rows of seating, it’s aimed at families who want practicality, comfort and value. A midcycle refresh for 2026 makes the Pathfinder more competitive in a very crowded segment, but it faces strong rivals that often excel in performance and refinement.
Base Price: $51,400
As Tested: $56,835
Horsepower: 284
Mileage: 20 mpg city/25 mpg highway/22 mpg combined
The Pathfinder competes against some heavy hitters in the midsize three-row SUV category, including the Honda Pilot, Hyundai Palisade, Jeep Grand Cherokee L, Kia Telluride, Mazda CX-90, and Toyota Grand Highlander.
The Pathfinder fits in Nissan’s SUV lineup between the smaller two-row Murano and full-size three-row Armada.
The Pathfinder was redesigned for the 2022 model year. The 2026 model gets a midcycle refresh. The exterior gets a new grille, bumpers and lighting. Inside, a 12.3-inch touchscreen and wireless Android auto and Apple CarPlay are now standard across all trims, the available wireless phone charging system now has cooling and higher output, and there’s a better 360-degree camera system with added viewing angles. These changes address concerns from previous model years that the Pathfinder didn’t have modern tech.
The 2026 Pathfinder comes in five trims: S, SV, SL, Rock Creek, and Platinum. Starting prices range from $37.900 to $51,790. These prices are less than many rivals.
Front-wheel drive is standard and four-wheel drive is available on the SV, SL and Platinum trims. The Rock Creek trim comes standard with 4WD.
The Pathfinder has room for seven or eight passengers, depending on whether you get captain’s chairs in the second row. The SV comes standard with bench seating in the second row, while captain’s chairs are available on the other three trims.
While many competitors have transitioned to turbocharged four-cylinder engines, the 2026 Pathfinder is powered by a naturally aspirated 3.5 liter V6 engine that makes 284 horsepower and 259 pound-feet of torque in the SV, SL and Platinum trims. The Rock Creek trim boosts output with 295 horses and 270 pound-feet. The transmission is a nine-speed automatic with manual shift mode paddle shifters.
The Pathfinder delivers composed handling and a comfortable ride. Acceleration is smooth and predictable, but the engine lacks the low-end torque of turbocharged competitors. Steering is responsive, and the Pathfinder feels relatively planted when cornering. The nine-speed mostly does a good job in shifting smoothly and quickly, although downshifts aren’t always as swift as you’d like. The ride is on the firm side, so you will notice some bumps and rough roads.
Pathfinder models with 4WD have a drive mode selector with seven options to tailor the vehicle’s performance to various conditions and terrains: Auto, Eco, Tow, Sport, Sand, Mud and Rut.
Fuel economy is about what you’d expect for a midsize three-row SUV. EPA ratings for my Platinum 4WD test vehicle are 20 mpg city, 25 mpg highway and 22 mpg combined. I got 22 mpg during my week with a mix of city and highway driving. Models with front-wheel drive do a bit better, while the Rock Creek trim is a bit less fuel efficient.
The S, SV, SL, and Platinum trims take regular gas, while premium fuel is recommended for the Rock Creek trim.
A strong suit is towing. When properly equipped, the pathfinder can tow up to 6,000 pounds, making it one of the more capable models in its class.
The cabin is functional, practical and spacious with a clean layout, making it very family friendly. Materials are decent and many are soft-touch. Passenger space is generous in the first two rows with good leg- and headroom. Front row seats are comfortable and supportive. My test vehicle has captain’s chairs in the second row, and they are also comfy and supportive. As is usually the case in three-row SUVs, the third row is tight and best suited for kids, although adults can squeeze back there for shorter trips. While the Pathfinder’s cabin isn’t as upscale as the Kia Telluride or Hyundai Palisade, it’s better than some rivals.
The standard 12.3-inch infotainment screen dominates the dash, replacing the old eight- or nine-inch touchscreens.. This new system is much more user-friendly. Menus are logically arranged and the system responds quickly to commands. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are standard, as are many Google features including its voice assistant. There are plenty of easy-to-reach physical controls for audio and climate settings. Thank you, Nissan, for not putting these controls in the touchscreen menus!
Cargo space is plentiful. There are 16.6 cubic feet with all three rows in place; this is enough for several grocery bags or smaller suitcases. There are 45 cubes with the second row folded, and 80.5 cubes with the second and third rows folded. A manual liftgate is standard, and a power liftgate is available. A hands-free power liftgate is available on the Platinum trim.
Here are the trim levels of the 2026 Nissan Pathfinder:
S – MSRP $37,500 for front–wheel drive and $39,500 for 4WD. This trim is practical and well-equipped for the price.
- Proximity keyless entry
- Push-button start
- Rearview camera
- Cloth upholstery
- Manually adjustable front seats
- Room for eight passengers with second- and third-row bench seats
- Tri-zone automatic climate control
- Seven-inch digital gauge cluster
- Infotainment system with 12.3-inch touchscreen
- Six-speaker audio system
- Satellite radio
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Bluetooth
- Four USB ports
- Manual liftgate
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- Heated mirrors
- LED headlights
SV – MSRP $39,900 for front-wheel drive and $41,900 for 4WD. The SV builds on the S with added comfort and safety features. This is the most popular trim and arguably the best value in the line-up.
- Remote start
- Heated side mirrors
- Heated front seats
- Eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat
- Power liftgate
- Roof rails
- Adaptive cruise control
- Lane-keep assist
- ProPilot Assist (Nissan’s adaptive cruise control system with lane centering)
The SV Premium Package is $2,250 and adds a heated steering wheel, climate control panel in the second row, panoramic moonroof, transmission cooler and Class III tow hitch receiver.
SL – MSRP $42,500 for front-wheel drive and $44,500 for 4WD. This trim offers more premium features.
- Surround-view camera system
- Synthetic leather upholstery
- Heated steering wheel
- 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster
- Wireless device charging
- Another USB port
The SL Premium Package is $2,990 and includes many of the SV Premium Package features, as well as a 13-speaker Bose audio system, heated second-row seats, rear sunshades and 20-inch wheels. Captain’s chairs are also available on the SL trim for $550, which cuts capacity from eight to seven.
Rock Creek – MSRP $45,000. This trim is only offered with 4WD. It’s better suited for light trails than serious off-roading.
- More rugged exterior styling
- Surround-view camera system
- Off-road-tuned suspension (with slight lift)
- All-terrain tires
- Roof rack
- Increased performance output (up to 295 hp)
- Transmission cooler
- Class III tow hitch receiver
- Synthetic leather upholstery
A Rock Creek Premium Package is $2,270 and adds a heated steering wheel, wireless device charging, captain’s chairs in the second row, rear climate control panel, and a panoramic moonroof.
Platinum – MSRP $49,400 with front-wheel drive and $51,400 for 4WD. This trim offers the most upscale features but isn’t as luxurious as the top trims of some rivals.
- Head-up display
- Quilted semi-aniline leather upholstery
- Eight-way power-adjustable front passenger seat
- Driver’s seat memory settings
- Heated and ventilated front seats
- Heated second row
- 13-speaker Bose premium audio system
- Panoramic moonroof
- Hands-free power liftgate
- Rain-sensing windshield wipers
- Transmission cooler
- Class III tow hitch receiver
- 20-inch wheels
Captain’s chairs are available for $550.
Standard driver assistance technologies on all trims include:
- Forward collision warning
- Automatic emergency braking
- Lane departure warning
- Blind-spot warning
- Pedestrian detection
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Lane departure warning
- High beam assist
- Rear automatic emergency braking
- Rear parking sensors
- Driver-attention monitoring
- Rear-seat alert
Available driver assistance technologies include
- Surround-view camera system
- Head-up display
- Lane-keep assist
- ProPILOT Assist
- Traffic sign recognition
- Front parking sensors
- ProPilot Assist (Nissan’s adaptive cruise control with lane centering)
The good:
Good value for the money
Stout V6 engine
Excellent towing capacity
Family-friendly, spacious cabin
Adults can fit in the third row
Improved infotainment system
Standard wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
The not-so-good:
Aging powertrain with no hybrid option
Driving dynamics not as engaging as some rivals
Cabin not as upscale as segment leaders
Rock Creek trim has limited off-road capability
Pricing info:
My 2026 Nissan Pathfinder Platinum 4WD test vehicle starts at $51,400. The Platinum Captain’s Chairs Package is $550 and includes heated second row captain’s chairs, and a second-row removable center console. The Accent Package is $910 and includes panoramic headliner illumination and illuminated cargo scuff plates. The Lighting Package is $1,025 and includes illuminated kickplates and welcome lighting. The carpeted floor mats are $405. Two-tone exterior with premium paint is $1,000. The destination fee is $1,545, bringing the grand total to $56,835.
Bottom line:
The 2026 Nissan Pathfinder is a solid offering among three-row midsize SUVs. While it’s not the best of the bunch in this very competitive category, the Pathfinder is more affordable than many rivals and comes with many standard features and tech. It’s a decent family hauler with a stout V6 engine, spacious cabin and user-friendly infotainment system.
