2026 Nissan Pathfinder
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View 6 more photosPros
- Towing capacity is near the top of the class
- Comfortable and quiet ride
- Spacious seating
Cons
- The front seats feel a bit stiff
- Engine can feel sluggish when you need quick power
- Less cargo space than some rivals
What's new
- Updated styling for 2026
- New 12.3-inch center touchscreen
- Minor revisions to standard and optional feature availability
- Part of the fourth Pathfinder generation introduced for 2022
Overview
Competing against such class heavyweights as the Honda Pilot and Kia Telluride is no easy task, but the 2026 Nissan Pathfinder has a litany of reasons why it's a compelling choice over other midsize three-row SUVs. Its sharply angled styling stands out from the crowd, and there's enough room inside the cabin that even adults will fit comfortably in the third row. It's also pleasant to drive, and it has the muscle to tow up to 6,000 pounds — about 1,000 pounds more than most of its competitors. For 2026, the Pathfinder receives refreshed front and rear styling, along with an updated interior that uses Nissan's newest infotainment technology.
Edmunds spotlight: Changes for the 2026 Pathfinder
The Pathfinder's design changes might be subtle, but they're there. Nissan has endowed the Pathfinder with some fresh looks for 2026, the most obvious of which are the new grille and front bumper design. Standard across the 2026 Pathfinder range is a fresh 12.3-inch infotainment display with the latest iteration of Nissan's in-house infotainment system. It comes with standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Google features (like its voice assistant) built right in, and is miles nicer to look at and use than Nissan's old system. Other changes for the 2026 Pathfinder include an improved surround-view camera system and classier-looking interior materials for the top-spec Platinum trim level.
Competitors to consider
Obviously, the Honda Pilot, Toyota Highlander and Grand Highlander, and Kia Telluride are the Pathfinder's main rivals. But there's no shortage of others. The Ford Explorer also comes in a rugged version, and the recently redesigned Chevrolet Traverse is also a solid choice.
Edmunds Expert Rating
Driving experience
In turns, the Pathfinder feels composed and stable. The steering feels a bit heavier than the steering in some rivals, but it's direct and makes the sizable Pathfinder easy to turn and park.
The ride is comfortable without feeling overly soft or bouncy. You feel bumps, but they don't send shocks through the seats.
The Pathfinder is easy to see out of, and the big mirrors and upright windows help reduce blind spots and aid with parking. Our test vehicle was fitted with Nissan's ProPilot Assist driver aid suite. It includes adaptive cruise control and a lane centering system. The adaptive cruise is tied to the navigation, so it can slow down before a curve in the road. It sounds nice, but we found it to be more of an annoyance than anything. The lane centering works well most of the time, but in our testing we noticed a few occasions when it tried to steer the vehicle over double yellow lines.
Comfort
The climate control system works well, blowing very cold without the fans imitating a jet engine at takeoff. We like the system's easy-to-use buttons and knobs too. Wind and road noise levels are pretty low.
All three rows offer plenty of space for adults, although the rear seat can be a bit of a pain to crawl in and out of.
The driving position helps too. There's plenty of adjustment, and all the controls are easy to reach. The controls themselves are also straightforward.
In-cabin tech
Storage & cargo
The Pathfinder has one of the best tow ratings in its class. Standard models can tow 3,500 pounds, but if you opt for the towing package, that goes up to 6,000 pounds, more than just about every other midsize SUV can handle.
Value
That said, rivals from Kia and Hyundai offer more for less. That goes for the warranty too. Nissan includes a three-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty, right on average for the class but well off the 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranties Kia and Hyundai offer. Nissan now includes three years of roadside assistance and three oil changes with each new Pathfinder.
MPG
X factor
2026 Nissan Pathfinder trim level differences
The 2026 Nissan Pathfinder is a three-row SUV available in five trim levels: S, SV, SL, Rock Creek and Platinum. All trims are powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine (284 horsepower, 259 lb-ft of torque) paired to a nine-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive is optional on everything except the Rock Creek, which has standard AWD.
Which Pathfinder trim does Edmunds recommend?
We suggest checking out the SV trim. It's a good value and comes with most of the features you'll need in a three-row family SUV, such as heated front seats, a power liftgate, and a comprehensive collection of advanced driver aids.




2026 Nissan Pathfinder video
NOTE: This video is about the 2025 Nissan Pathfinder, but since the 2026 Nissan Pathfinder is part of the same generation, our earlier analysis still applies.
Related 2026 Nissan Pathfinder info
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