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HomeCompareExplorer vs Pathfinder
Head-to-head

2025 Ford Explorer vs 2025 Nissan Pathfinder

The Nissan Pathfinder wins clearly, 96.6 to 81.4, on safety. The Ford Explorer is ahead on fuel & range.

F

2025 Ford Explorer

The 2025 Ford Explorer is sold in the U.S. as a gas large SUV with 6 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Explorer RWD, is EPA-rated at 24 …

vs
A

2025 Nissan Pathfinder

The 2025 Nissan Pathfinder is sold in the U.S. as a gas large SUV with 4 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Pathfinder 2WD, is EPA-rated …

Verdict · default weights

2025 Nissan Pathfinder

Clear win

The Nissan Pathfinder wins clearly, 96.6 to 81.4, on safety. The Ford Explorer is ahead on fuel & range.

Safety2025 Nissan Pathfinder leads by 29.6
Fuel & range2025 Ford Explorer leads by 3.9
Category · weight2025 Nissan Pathfinderoverall 96.62025 Ford Exploreroverall 81.4
Pricew 4no datano data
Fuel & rangew 396.1100
Safetyw 49767.4
Space & cargow 2no datano data
Performancew 2no datano data
Tech & comfortw 3no datano data
Warrantyw 2no datano data
Overall96.681.4

Nissan Pathfinder: model-level data · Ford Explorer: model-level data. Pick a trim in the tool to compare any other trim.

Change what matters to you →Scores are 0–100 per category from the data on this page. The weights are yours to set.
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Specifications side by side

Trim-level specs appear here once the manufacturer's press kit is on file for both vehicles. EPA and NHTSA data are compared above.
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Safety record

NHTSA recalls, complaints, NCAP

Nissan Pathfinder

Safety Signal92 A
NHTSA overall★★★★★
Frontal / side / rollover★★★★☆ / ★★★★★ / ★★★★☆
Recalls1
Owner complaints49 · 2 crashes · 0 fires
Most complained aboutUnspecified (14), Service Brakes (8), Forward Collision Avoidance (8)

Top recalls

  • highService Brakes, Hydraulic25V173000 · 1,430 vehicles

Ford Explorer

Safety Signal35 F
NHTSA overall★★★★★
Frontal / side / rollover★★★★★ / ★★★★★ / ★★★★☆
Recalls22 · 1 critical
Owner complaints97 · 7 crashes · 0 fires
Most complained aboutElectrical System (21), Unspecified (17), Service Brakes (16)

Top recalls

  • criticalFuel System, Gasoline24V634000 · 24 vehicles
  • highSeats26V451000 · 387,911 vehicles
  • highEngine And Engine Cooling26V343000 · 1,536 vehicles
  • highSeat Belts26V159000 · 561 vehicles
  • highEngine And Engine Cooling26V122000 · 47,804 vehicles
  • highVisibility25V730000 · 56,841 vehicles

Ownership

EPA, manufacturer warranty
Nissan PathfinderFord Explorer
Price
Price range across trims
PowertrainsGASGAS
EPA configuration comparedPathfinder 2WDExplorer RWD
Combined mpg / MPGe2324
EPA annual fuel cost$2,700$2,600
EV range
Basic warranty
Powertrain warranty
Roadside assistance

Common questions

Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kits

Which is better, the 2025 Nissan Pathfinder or the 2025 Ford Explorer?

The Nissan Pathfinder wins clearly, 96.6 to 81.4, on safety. The Ford Explorer is ahead on fuel & range. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2025 Nissan Pathfinder scores 96.6 and the 2025 Ford Explorer 81.4. The weights are yours to change — move what you care about and the verdict recalculates on the page.

Which has the better safety record, the 2025 Nissan Pathfinder or the 2025 Ford Explorer?

2025 Nissan Pathfinder: 5 NHTSA stars, grade A, 1 recall. 2025 Ford Explorer: 5 NHTSA stars, grade F, 22 recalls. Crash ratings come from NHTSA's own tests; the grade is WhichTrim's read of the recall record, and the two can disagree.