Used 2023 Nissan Pathfinder

Fresh off a complete redesign just last year, the 2023 Nissan Pathfinder has found its place among 3-row family-friendly haulers. Pricing starts at $35,200.

The Nissan Pathfinder is a family-friendly 3-row midsize SUV with a bit of a rugged streak. We like the trail-ready look, which is backed up by a sophisticated all-wheel-drive system and greater towing capacity than most of its competitors. Nissan even solidified the Pathfinder’s off-pavement acumen this year by adding the off-road-specific Rock Creek model. But the comfortable cabin, functional third row, and long list of desirable features and technologies are the bigger draws for most buyers.

We’ve put the latest Pathfinder through its paces on-road and off. We’ve driven it through mud, snow, and, of course, on paved roads where most Pathfinders will spend the bulk of their time. The Pathfinder has proven to be a smooth and comfortable family SUV.

The standard V6 engine is responsive, and the 9-speed automatic transmission delivers smooth and responsive shifts right when you want them. When you opt for 4-wheel drive (4WD), you get seven selectable drive modes (Standard, Sport, Eco, Snow, Sand, Mud/Rut, and Tow). They help you optimize your driving experience based on what you need at the moment.

With 4WD, off-road performance is more than sufficient for most drivers in the market for a practical 3-row SUV. This is particularly true with the new Rock Creek model. Although the modern Pathfinder may not be the off-roader it once was, the new Pathfinder isn’t without skills. For instance, it can climb a mountain road, play in the mud, and traverse snowy streets without skipping a beat.

Our only major complaint is road noise. Even on smooth pavement, we noticed more than an average dose of noise seeping into the passenger compartment.

We’ve spent hundreds of hours driving and evaluating the current field of 3-row SUVs, including the Nissan Pathfinder.

We’re big fans of the Pathfinder’s second-row captain’s chairs introduced with the redesign in 2022. They give it a 2-2-3 seating configuration with a removable center console. With the standard center bench in place, the Pathfinder’s seating capacity is eight. Nissan has a reputation for comfortable seats and the Pathfinder builds on that legacy. However, several of our readers mentioned the lack of a height adjustment for the front passenger seat with a fixed seating position somewhat close to the floor. Families should appreciate the four cupholders and two USB ports in the reclining third-row seat area.

The Pathfinder interior looks modern and spacious, highlighted by an available 12.3-inch digital instrument panel with several screen options. An available 10.8-inch head-up display allows the driver to see functions such as vehicle speed and navigational directions on the back of the windshield.

Also available is a 9-inch color touchscreen (an 8-inch screen is standard) positioned high on the Pathfinder’s center console and within easy reach of the driver and front passenger. It’s complemented by uniquely shaped air vents that interlock into the soft dash surfaces. An electronic shifter rests on a bridge-style center console with a handy storage cubby below.

Cloth and leather upholstery are available in a variety of colors, and there are seven available Pathfinder interior environments. For example, one features brushed bronze metallic accents. Ambient interior lighting adds to the cabin’s pleasant nature, while four USB ports and a pair of 12-volt power outlets add to the practicality.

The second-row bench has a one-touch release, allowing the seat to fold and slide forward. It eases entry/exit for the third row and operation doesn’t interfere with child seats. Behind the rearmost bench is enough space for a 120-quart cooler or four golf bags. We are impressed that, with both rows folded, the Pathfinder can carry multiple 4×8 plywood sheets flat on the floor without any awkward angles. However, the third-row legroom is stingier than key competitors like the Honda Pilot and Kia Telluride. We tossed a few items, like muddy shoes, into the under-floor cubbies in back.

Nissan tells us the design of the 2023 Pathfinder was inspired by adventure gear, styled to look strong and capable. It does so with a blunter face, flatter hood, wider stance, prominent fender flares, and reduced front and rear overhangs. Larger tires also add to the rugged SUV look. In contrast to the more elegant Hyundai Palisade, the Pathfinder revels in its tougher appearance.

The corporate V-Motion grille is there, leaving no doubt that this is a Nissan. Moreover, those three slots at the top of the grille sneakily pay tribute to the ones used on the hood of the original 1986 Pathfinder. Also paying homage to that beloved first Pathfinder are the floating C-pillars, which mimic the angle seen on the original’s side windows.

Exterior design elements include available two-tone paint schemes. The standard LED headlights include slim upper daytime running lights. Adding to the muscular look are U-shaped side design elements linking the powerful fender blisters.

In the back, the new Pathfinder has a boxy look with slim but wide LED taillights. You can’t miss the word Pathfinder boldly emblazoned across the liftgate in oversized satin chrome letters.

Fourteen colors and color combinations are available on the 2023 Pathfinder, including five new two-tone treatments. Scarlet Ember with Super Black Metallic looks especially good, as does the outdoorsy Obsidian Green Pear.

EZ Flex Seats
We’re still amazed by how easy to operate this feature is. With a single touch, the middle-row seats release, fold forward, and slide to ease access to the third-row seat.

ProPilot Assist
Nissan’s semi-autonomous driver-assistance system marries the adaptive cruise control with steering assist. This allows the Pathfinder to accelerate, steer, and brake itself under certain conditions.

Surround-View Camera
Standard starting in the SL trim, this system creates a 360-degree bird’s-eye view of the Pathfinder and the surrounding area to make easy work of parking. In its Rock Creek application, it also shows the terrain immediately in front of the vehicle when you shift into 4WD. We found it extremely helpful in our off-road testing, mitigating the need for a spotter to direct us around tricky terrain.

Hands-Free Power Liftgate
If you’ve ever tried to open a rear liftgate with your arms full of packages or bags of groceries, you’ll appreciate this feature as much as we did. As long as you have the key fob, the hatch automatically opens with the swipe of your foot under the rear bumper.

Bose Audio System
Optional in the SL and standard in the top-end Platinum grade, this 13-speaker audio system includes a subwoofer. It made us feel like we were in a concert hall.

Digital Gauge Cluster
Fully digital, this 12.3-inch cluster becomes standard in the Platinum trim. We were able to toggle between a range of information. For example, warnings, settings, sound-system information, and safety systems.

The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder is available in S, SV, SL, Rock Creek, and Platinum trim levels. In all but the Rock Creek, 2WD is standard, and 4WD is a $1,900 option. Rock Creek comes standard with 4WD. Every 2023 Pathfinder comes with the same V6 engine and 9-speed automatic transmission.

Equipment in the base S model is pretty generous with safety and infotainment technology. You get a NissanConnect system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. We applaud Nissan for including the Safety Shield 360 safety tech suite in every Pathfinder. Bundled with Safety Shield 360 are front and rear automatic emergency braking, high-beam assist, lane-departure warning, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic alert.

As you move up through the various trim levels, you add ProPilot Assist semi-autonomous driving system, which uses adaptive cruise control and steering assist to make highway driving easier. Wi-Fi, NissanConnect Services powered by SiriusXM, and an upgraded 9-inch infotainment touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay. Unfortunately, there’s no wireless Android Auto. You also get a 360-degree surround-view camera.

Finally, with the top-of-the-line Platinum grade, Nissan adds a 12.3-inch fully digital instrument cluster, 10.8-inch head-up display, wireless charging, semi-aniline leather seats, and more.

The base S model doesn’t offer any factory-installed options. However, the SV trim has an available SV Premium Package for $2,170. It adds a panoramic moonroof, a power liftgate with position memory, a tow package pushing the max towing capacity up to 6,000 pounds, and second-row captain’s chairs with a removable center console.

A similar Premium Package is also available for the SL trim for $2,900. On top of adding the contents of the SV Premium Package, this one also includes 20-inch alloy wheels, a Bose 13-speaker premium audio system, heated rear seats, and wireless charging.

A 3.5-liter V6 producing 284 horsepower and 259 lb-ft of torque powers every 2023 Nissan Pathfinder. Also standard is a 9-speed automatic transmission.

With the tow package, the Nissan Pathfinder has a best-in-class towing capacity of 6,000 pounds. The only direct competitor that comes close is the Ford Explorer, which can tow up to 5,600 pounds, while the Kia Telluride can now muster 5,500 pounds. This opens up what you’re able to tow with a midsize 3-row crossover, like smaller RVs that start around 5,200 pounds.

The power, torque, and fuel economy of the Pathfinder are all about average for this class.

3.5-liter V6
284 horsepower @ 6,400 rpm
259 lb-ft of torque @ 4,800 rpm
EPA combined fuel economy: 23 mpg (20 city, 27 highway) 4WD: 23 mpg (21 city, 27 highway) Rock Creek AWD: 21 mpg (20 city, 23 highway) SL/Platinum AWD: 22 mpg (20 city, 25 highway)

More Pathfinder fuel economy information is available on the EPA’s website.

3-year/36,000-mile Warranty

The Pathfinder is covered by a 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and 5-Year/60,000-mile powertrain coverage. This warranty coverage is the same as most of the segment, including the Chevy Traverse, Ford Explorer, and Mazda CX-9.

Top-Tier Safety Ratings

The gold standard of safety ratings is the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Pick+ (TSP+) award. The Pathfinder made the TSP+ list for 2023, as well as earning an overall rating of five out of five stars from the government’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).