2020 Nissan Pathfinder Review

Capable and roomy, the 2020 Nissan Pathfinder makes a decent choice for families seeking three-row utility and impressive towing capacity. The Pathfinder also makes it easy to bring along outdoor toys on trips out of town, but some of its shortcomings make it less compelling than newer rivals.

For 2020, the Pathfinder carries over unchanged. Last year's updates included adding front- and second-row USB-C ports and a trickle-down to lower trim levels of advanced driver aids such as adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The Rock Creek appearance package, which debuted last year, returns for 2020 and dusts the Pathfinder with a bit of mojo from its earliest days as a formidable off-road SUV.

Today's three-row family crossover Pathfinder shares nothing but a name with the original issue model, but it's still a capable SUV in other ways. It's one of the few three-row SUVs that can tow up to 6,000 pounds regardless of trim level, thanks to a torque-rich 3.5-liter V6 engine. Only the Dodge Durango is rated for heavier towing. All Pathfinders also offer optional all-wheel drive.

But beyond its towing chops and smooth power delivery, the Pathfinder is a bit of a letdown. The native infotainment system feels about five years behind, and the lack of Apple CarPlay or Android Auto means there's no workaround. Other drawbacks include mediocre outward visibility, less cargo space than some top rivals offer, and some harshness in the ride quality.

The 2020 Nissan Pathfinder remains a solid jack-of-all-trades SUV with plenty of capability and passenger room and an easy driving demeanor. If you can sacrifice some towing capability, however, there are better choices. The Ford Explorer, Kia Telluride and Volkswagen Atlas all start around the same price and can tow 5,000 pounds or more. The aforementioned Durango is also worth a look.

The 2020 Nissan Pathfinder comes in four trim levels: S, SV, SL and Platinum. All trims come with a 3.5-liter V6 engine (284 horsepower, 259 lb-ft of torque) paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard, but all-wheel drive is optional and includes hill descent control and a special locking function for extra traction. All Pathfinders can tow up to 6,000 pounds.