Professionals: Excessive-quality and practical inside; wonderful driver help tech; above-average towing capability
Cons: Worse to drive than rivals with odd steering response; much less third-row area
The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder might possess one of many oldest SUV nameplates, however the precise automobile itself has oscillated wildly through the years between body-on-frame and unibody (crossover) structure. It’s grown in dimension and seat quantity. It’s been a automobile really able to find paths and one which’s higher suited to utilizing very-paved paths already discovered. With the newest era launched final 12 months, the Pathfinder maintains its structure and seat depend from one era to the subsequent for the primary time.
It’s nonetheless a seven-passenger crossover of the well-paved path selection, however not less than the addition of the Rock Creek Version for 2023 lets the Pathfinder return to its roots a bit of bit. Final 12 months’s redesign had already began in that course stylistically due to its bolder, extra chiseled look. But in the end, the Pathfinder is a household hauler, and for that function, it impresses with a contemporary inside that boasts above-average supplies high quality and easy-to-use controls. Area is clearly plentiful as a three-row crossover, although it’s merely common for the phase. The driving expertise additionally does nothing to face out from the pack, however not less than it doesn’t repel because the earlier era did.
In whole, the 2023 Pathfinder is extra aligned in spirit to its old-school predecessors, whereas being much more family-friendly than its homely speedy predecessor. The brand new Pathfinder Rock Creek Version additionally provides some character and a modicum of rugged functionality that ought to definitely be welcome. The Pathfinder even presents extra towing capability than most three-row crossovers. We’d nonetheless select a Kia Telluride, Hyundai Palisade, Toyota Highlander Hybrid or Jeep Grand Cherokee L first, however among the many second tier of alternate options, the Pathfinder is true up there.
Inside & Expertise | Passenger & Cargo Area | Efficiency & Gasoline Economic system
What it is prefer to drive | Pricing & Trim Ranges | Crash Scores & Security Options
What’s new for 2023?
The Pathfinder Rock Creek Version returns for 2023 and we overview it right here. Pictured above, it’s probably the most rugged Pathfinder trim stage with a modest, 0.6-inch floor clearance raise to 7.7 inches, an off-road-tuned suspension, beadlock-looking 18-inch wheels, Toyo Open Nation all-terrain tires, a lot of matte black physique cladding, and a platform-style roof rack. Oh, and much and many Rock Creek badges. Elsewhere within the lineup, the SL features a normal wi-fi charging pad, whereas the SL and Platinum acquire a normal 10-way energy passenger seat. The Platinum is now provided with a Platinum Captain’s Chairs package deal that features a detachable second-row console between the captain’s chairs.
What are the Pathfinder inside and in-car expertise like?
That is arguably the Pathfinder’s greatest attribute. Though the range-topping Platinum trim stage you see up there may be its greatest foot ahead, full with good-looking two-tone leather-based/pleather in every single place, even decrease trim ranges profit from the identical good-looking design, considerate storage and user-friendly expertise. Basic supplies high quality is common for the phase, which speaks to how good the phase is.
The middle console encompasses a huge pad to cost your smartphone, be it wired or wi-fi on higher trims, plus a smaller bin to prop up your telephone must you choose. The cupholders are huge and versatile, the under-armrest and door bins are giant, and there’s bonus storage below the console. You too can get a detachable middle console in between the out there second-row captain’s chairs.
The 9-inch touchscreen proven above backside left is customary on the SL and Platinum trim ranges, and encompasses a person interface that actually nails a candy spot of aesthetics and performance. There are onerous buttons and knobs, plus a stationary row of on-screen menu icons, that are all the time appreciated. The show itself is excessive decision and options vibrant colours with enticing, legible graphics. It will not be ultra-wide (as within the Palisade and Telluride) or tall (Explorer), but it surely’s large enough, simple to see and works effectively. The 8-inch display discovered within the S, SV and Rock Creek trims (above backside proper) has fewer options to manage and clearly is smaller, however its performance is actually the identical.
How huge is the Pathfinder?
The 2023 Pathfinder is mainly the identical dimension on the skin because the Palisade, Telluride, Subaru Ascent, and so on. Variations inside are extra noticeable, nevertheless, notably within the third row the place the seat is a bit of nearer to the ground than you’d discover in these talked about above and subsequently much less spacious and comfy. Nissan’s technique of getting again there may be higher than most, nevertheless, because the second-row not solely slides ahead on the contact of a button (that’s fairly frequent), however does so in a means that gives extra space to squeeze again into the third-row and permits you to preserve forward-facing baby seats put in. That would simply be deal-sealer for some.
Cargo area behind the raised third row measures at 16.6 cubic-feet. On paper, that might make it barely higher than the disappointing Toyota Highlander, however in apply, the Pathfinder’s boxy form and helpful under-floor storage really assist it carry extra stuff than its specs would point out. We might match 4 medium-sized suitcases again there plus a duffle bag below the ground. It measures 45 cubic-feet with the third row lowered and 80.5 with each rear rows lowered, that are large enough that variations with rivals shouldn’t matter a lot.
What are the Pathfinder gasoline economic system and efficiency specs?
Like extra rivals, there is just one engine on provide: a 3.5-liter V6 good for a aggressive 284 horsepower and 259 pound-feet of torque. It’s paired to a nine-speed computerized, and both customary front-wheel drive or elective all-wheel drive. Gasoline economic system is 20 mpg metropolis, 27 mpg freeway and 23 mpg mixed with FWD. Surprisingly, AWD gasoline economic system is definitely higher within the metropolis, however successfully the identical: 21/27/23. The Platinum AWD trim goes down to twenty/25/22, whereas the Rock Creek Version and its all-terrain tires dive additional to twenty/23/21. All these figures are typical for the phase.
With the out there tow hitch, the Pathfinder can tow 6,000 kilos, which is greater than the phase’s 5,000-pound norm.
What is the Pathfinder prefer to drive?
We fortunately not should gripe about a CVT mooing on because the Pathfinder chugs up a freeway on-ramp – the brand new nine-speed computerized added with final 12 months’s redesign does its job commendably sufficient that we didn’t actually discover it. The identical can largely be stated of the 284-hp V6, which is sufficiently sturdy for the phase however hardly a standout for higher or worse.
The newest Pathfinder can also be notably extra composed than its squishy, bobbing predecessor with better-weighted steering. Nonetheless, the steering effort and response by no means feels fairly proper – maybe a tad too gradual given the quantity of effort – and the suspension with the out there 20-inch wheels produces an regular journey that mixes a agency response to harsher impacts with a relaxed response to bigger bumps and undulations. You get the impression Nissan didn’t fairly know which lane to decide on, so to talk, whereas tuning the Pathfinder. Its rivals are extra coherent.
The Rock Creek Version doesn’t undergo too badly for its off-road-tuned suspension and all-terrain tires if you’re firmly planted on pavement. There may be extra tire roar, but it surely’s not as vital as another ruggedized household haulers. You’ll additionally discover it to be much more civilized on-road than a Toyota 4Runner, as an example. Off-road, that historic Toyota will make a mockery of its one-time apples-to-apples competitor that has since turn into a three-row crossover. Nonetheless, the Rock Creek’s upgrades are undoubtedly enhancements over what you’d get in different Pathfinder trims must you frequent camp websites or different outside spots.
What different Nissan Pathfinder critiques can I learn?
2022 Nissan Pathfinder First Drive Evaluation | Routinely higher; nonetheless not the perfect
Learn this for extra details about all that modified for 2022, plus a deeper dive into what it is prefer to drive.
2023 Nissan Pathfinder Rock Creek Version Highway Take a look at
Particulars about what you get with the new-for-2023 Rock Creek Version
Nissan Pathfinder Baggage Take a look at
See how a lot you possibly can match behind the raised third-row seat, plus comparisons to most rivals.
What’s the 2023 Pathfinder value?
Pricing begins at $36,295, together with the $1,295 vacation spot cost, for the bottom Pathfinder S trim stage. All-wheel drive is a $1,900 choice on all beneath trim ranges besides the Rock Creek Version, which is AWD solely.
You will discover characteristic content material for every of the Pathfinder trim ranges right here on Autoblog.
Pathfinder S: $36,295
Pathfinder SV: $39,115
Pathfinder SL: $42,715
Pathfinder Platinum: $49,265
Pathfinder Rock Creek Version: $44,115
What are the Pathfinder security rankings and driver help options?
Each 2023 Pathfinder consists of ahead collision warning with computerized emergency braking that detects pedestrians and cyclists; rear computerized braking (a uncommon characteristic); blind-spot and rear cross-traffic warning (normally elective); and lane-departure warning. Steering intervention for the blind-spot and lane-departure system is added on all however the base S. The highest three trims even have Nissan ProPilot Help, the superior adaptive cruise management system that provides well-executed steering help system. It’s important to preserve a hand on the wheel, however the automobile does a lot of the work.
The NHTSA gave the Pathfinder 4 out of 5 stars for frontal crash safety and 5 stars for aspect crash safety, however had not awarded an total score on the time of this writing. The Insurance coverage Institute for Freeway Security named it a Prime Security Choose+ for its best-possible efficiency in all crash classes (together with the brand new up to date aspect take a look at) and for its ahead collision mitigation system. Its “Acceptable” headlight rankings was sufficient to realize the award as effectively.
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