PROS ›› Impressive tow ability, Exceptional ride quality, Superior trail performance
CONS ›› Average interior design, dull handling, no significant off-road equipment
If you've been following the automotive sector recently, or perhaps glanced at headlines while mindlessly scrolling through social media, you're likely aware of this information. Nissan’s I've been struggling lately. Our sales have dropped, our profits are uncertain, and plans for a merger with Honda fell through before things got uncomfortable. At this point, Nissan really needs a victory, and the Pathfinder plays a crucial role as one of their main contenders in the highly competitive market for three-row SUVs. Designed to be larger than the bulky Armado yet smaller and more stylish than the Murano, both in terms of dimensions and intent, the Pathfinder aims to carve out its own niche.
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Where the Murano Clearly aimed at urban dwellers, the Armada comes equipped with real all-wheel drive, locking differentials, and substantial ground clearance. Given these features, it only follows that the Pathfinder should slot in somewhere in between them. Still, this Pathfinder is not like what your father used to know.
This was previously a body-on-frame SUV, similar to the Armada It still is. However, now it resembles an ordinary crossover SUV more closely, making navigation through rough terrain less straightforward. Many enthusiasts lament that the Pathfinder has lost its essence. Yet, one might wonder: Has it truly disappeared?
To determine this, we put through its paces the toughest one among them all, the Pathfinder Rock Creek includes all-terrain tires, an off-road optimized suspension, a rooftop carrier, and high-contrast stitching. While it might benefit from additional upgrades like a larger lift kit, more underbody protection, and perhaps even locking differentials, these will be omitted for now.
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It turns out that ultimately, the Pathfinder Rock Creek is not a rugged off-road specialist, yet it still retains some spirit. Certain aspects, or the absence of them, leave us questioning Nissan's decisions, whereas other elements make this SUV seem like an underrated treasure. So, where does this leaves us?
QUICK FACTS
| › Model: | 2025 Nissan Pathfinder Rock Creek |
| › Price: | $37,070-$49,810 ($47,390 As Tested) |
| › Dimensions: |
Length: 16.57 feet (5,049 mm) Width: 77.9 inches (1,979 millimeters) Height: 70.9 inches (45,025 mm) Wheelbase: 114.2 inches (2,901 millimeters) Ground clearance: 7.7 inches (196 mm) |
| › Curb Weight: | curb weight: 4,579 pounds (2,076 kilograms) |
| › Powertrain: | 3.5-Liter V6 |
| › Output: | 295 hp (219 kW) |
| › Transmission: | Nine-Speed Automatic Transmission |
| › Fuel Economy: | Combined/City/Highway: 21/20/23 mpg* |
| › On Sale: | Now |
Outwardly, the Pathfinder appears distinctly appealing. It combines rugged design elements with a user-friendly profile, featuring large doors that swing open generously. In addition, our version includes some stylish accents for extra flair.
The roof rack, fake beadlock wheels, and faux light bar on the grill make this SUV appear serious about its capabilities. The body doesn't have an excessively boxy design, setting it apart from many contemporary models such as the Toyota Land Cruiser And Kia Telluride, to mention just a couple.
Ultimate Interior Comfort Takes Precedence
While Nissan may not be recognized for pioneering cabin design, it excels in providing comfort. The Zero Gravity seats at the forefront of the Pathfinder stand out significantly; they offer support that many rival vehicles cannot match. This is fortunate since the remainder of the vehicle’s interior doesn't quite measure up to the same standard.
What caught my attention wasn't the design—it’s quite boxy, but that style is really popular these days. The gearshift and central control panel also follow common patterns. However, I found myself puzzled by some of the other choices they made.
For instance, why is the infotainment Why is the bezel on this almost high-end Pathfinder so large? What’s with all the areas covered in glossy black plastic? Why doesn’t the dashboard have any vibrant color options aside from the orange stitching? Why does the steering wheel look exactly like the one in the previous model? the $21,000 Kicks? These elements of the design do not suggest a price tag close to $50,000 for the vehicle.
While it's not entirely without issues, some minor details are quite nice. For instance, there’s a slender yet roomy compartment designed for holding your phone on the passenger-side dashboard, a flip-down cargo-area cover, concealed storage beneath the central console, and an abundance of tactile buttons. Of course, these buttons may have a somewhat inexpensive feel to them. However, they're superior to having no buttons whatsoever. .
The infotainment system is adequate but lacks notable innovation or excitement. It responds promptly to touch commands, and the interface organizes everything in a logical manner.
All things considered, the remaining part of the Pathfinder cabin is both practical and cozy. The seating in the second and third rows offers good support with ample cushioning, avoiding any uncomfortable firmness.
The second row comes with an optional bench seating for up to eight people or two individual captain’s chairs for a total of seven seats, allowing buyers flexibility based on their requirements. For those opting for the seven-seater configuration, they receive a nicely designed central storage compartment that can be taken out when not needed. Excluding the drink holders located within the lower sections of the doors, this vehicle boasts twelve cup holders throughout its interior design.
The back storage compartment is impressively functional, even without counting the included Rock Creek protective mat. With all seats upright, this area provides about 17 cubic feet of loading capacity. Additionally, the third-row headrests enhance convenience since they can be easily lowered via a pull handle accessible from the cargo zone, simplifying the use of the third seating section. Beneath the main flooring, you'll find extra space perfect for stowing additional items.
Driving Experiences On Road And Off-Road
The Pathfinder excels at handling routine driving duties. It performs smoothly and offers more power than typical drivers require when on paved roads. With an output of 295 horsepower (219 kW), which aligns with the averages within its category, remember that achieving these figures necessitates using high-octane fuel.
The power is distributed to all four wheels through a nine-speed automatic transmission. It’s important to mention from the start that the Pathfinder has a bias towards front-wheel drive, which means you shouldn't anticipate it feeling agile on the road. Actually, the steering may seem rather unresponsive and somewhat disconnected at slower speeds.
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On the highway, this SUV performs just as well as others in its class. The pedals offer excellent responsiveness, and the transmission system effectively selects the appropriate gear and maintains stability. Overall, visibility and comfort are commendable. Although this specific model may target off-roading aficionados, it has a slightly lower profile compared to competitors, which enhances its performance on paved roads without making it feel particularly agile. In other words, it edges out models such as the Ford Bronco or a Toyota Land Cruiser on asphalt roads.
The downside is that this emphasis on road performance results in reduced capabilities when venturing into more challenging terrain. The Pathfinder lacks features such as locking differentials, extensive suspension travel, or a two-speed transfer case. During our initial off-roading trial, it struggled significantly in deep mud, barely moving forward. Fortunately, we were using the Mud/Rut setting at the time; applying additional throttle allowed us to quickly return to firmer ground.
In spite of that, driving this SUV off-road necessitates two key elements. Having a spotter will significantly enhance performance since the limited suspension travel and comparatively low ground clearance render it less adept compared to its competitors.
Although this version offers greater ground clearance (7.7 inches) compared to the standard model (7.1 inches), it remains lower than the Rogue Rock Creek (8.2) And it appears smaller compared to other SUVs such as the Land Cruiser (8.7) and the Kia Telluride X-Pro (8.4). The restricted suspension travel is also why we managed to tip over this SUV shortly after our initial off-road attempt.
In pursuit of this, our second criterion when tackling rough terrain with this SUV involves having realistic expectations. Following our experience navigating through muddy conditions, we put the Pathfinder through its paces on steep and rugged paths. While it handled these obstacles, it did require multiple stops to assess ground clearance and choose the best route forward. In contrast, during our test run on the very same track using the Jeep Gladiator, we felt confident about its underside throughout the journey.
Sure, the Pathfinder is quite distinct, yet the core message stays the same: individuals looking to venture off-road should manage their expectations regarding what this SUV can achieve and how it tackles these tasks. Nonetheless, it proves to be more competent than one might initially think.
Drive this SUV on gravel paths or Baja-type tracks where velocities remain elevated, and it will thrive. Its 'off-road adjusted' suspension efficiently absorbs shocks and impacts, and the steering feels more responsive compared to city driving. Additionally, it boasts an additional standout feature.
This three-row SUV has a towing capacity of up to 6,000 pounds, making it exceptional within its class. This capability surpasses what you get with the Telluride, Bronco, Toyota Grand Highlander, and Honda Pilot. Its towing ability aligns well with industry standards. the Toyota 4Runner and Land Cruiser.
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Before concluding, let's talk about fuel efficiency. According to Nissan, this SUV can achieve up to 20 mpg in urban areas. However, our overall average was only 18 mpg. Many of these miles included highway driving, with even more being off-road, which might explain why the Pathfinder fell short of its EPA-rated expectations.
Competition
There's definitely no doubt that other SUVs in this class provide more features than the Pathfinder. Vehicles such as the Bronco, 4Runner, and Land Cruiser excel when it comes to off-roading. Other models, like the Toyota Grand Highlander , Kia Telluride and Mazda CX-90 offers superior value for those prioritizing on-road performance.
This doesn't imply that the Pathfinder lacks an audience. It stands out as one of the more attractive models in its category and effectively blends several key capabilities. It excels in towing, offers great comfort, and can also handle off-roading when handled properly.
Ultimately, folks who are thinking about it ought to test drive some alternatives from this lineup prior to reaching a decision. Also remember that Nissan provides new purchasers with a two-year warranty covering 24,000 miles as well as up to three complimentary oil changes for the Pathfinder; not all competitors provide such benefits.
Final Thoughts
A paradox refers to "a circumstance, individual, or entity that exhibits conflicting characteristics." The Pathfinder exemplifies this definition as it excels significantly in certain areas yet falls short in others within its class. To illustrate, it isn’t particularly economical when it comes to fuel consumption; nor does it offer top-tier luxury amenities. Additionally, driving it fails to provide much enjoyment whatsoever.
While it leads the pack in certain aspects like comfort, quietness, smooth operation, and towing capabilities, it remains visually tough and appealing. Nevertheless, it's challenging to endorse it above its rivals, almost seeming as if it lags about half a generation compared to them.
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The Pathfinder moved away from its truck-based origins a few years back. Perhaps it's now time for Nissan to revisit those beginnings, much like Toyota It needs to reclaim its position in this market segment. This is an area where Kia, Hyundai, and Mazda will also have to address their own strategies.
Keep in mind that the second-generation Pathfinder featured a unibody construction. For the third generation, Nissan switched to a body-on-frame design but returned to using a unibody for the latest version. Given this inconsistency, how are consumers meant to feel about which direction the vehicle truly takes?
Shifting its focus back to an off-road-oriented SUV might really help the Pathfinder. Alternatively, if they choose another route, it should lean entirely towards enhancing on-road comfort and performance. Currently, as it stands, the SUV appears to be attempting to follow two different paths simultaneously without fully committing to either approach.