Nissan Pathfinder vs the field
Every head-to-head WhichTrim has scored for the Pathfinder: 9 comparisons against 6 rivals across the 2025–2026 model years, each on price, fuel, safety, space, performance, tech and warranty from EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer data — the weights yours to change on any of them.
By rival
6 rivals · verdicts at default weightsJeep Grand CherokeePathfinder leads 2–0
Toyota HighlanderHighlander leads 2–0
Ford Explorerlevel 1–1
Kia TellurideTelluride leads 1–0
Hyundai PalisadePalisade leads 1–0
Honda PilotPilot leads 1–0
Clear win 6+ points · Edge 2–6 · Toss-up under 2. Open any pair for the scorecard, the biggest gaps in words and the sliders.
Where the Pathfinder wins and loses
9 scored head-to-headsThe Pathfinder leads on safety in 7 of 9, price in 3 of 5; it trails on tech & comfort in 8 of 9, performance in 7 of 8, space & cargo in 6 of 8. Category scores are 0–100 from the data on each pair page; a lead here means the Pathfinder scored higher in that category, whatever the weights.
| Category | Pathfinder leads | Trails | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | 3 of 5 | 1 | 1 |
| Fuel & range | 2 of 9 | 5 | 2 |
| Safety | 7 of 9 | 2 | 0 |
| Space & cargo | 2 of 8 | 6 | 0 |
| Performance | 1 of 8 | 7 | 0 |
| Tech & comfort | 1 of 9 | 8 | 0 |
Common questions about the Nissan Pathfinder head-to-heads
Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kitsWhich is better, the Nissan Pathfinder or the Jeep Grand Cherokee?
The Nissan Pathfinder wins clearly, 99.6 to 60.3, on tech & comfort, safety, space & cargo. The Jeep Grand Cherokee is ahead on performance. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2026 Nissan Pathfinder comes out ahead in the newest scored pairing (2026 Nissan Pathfinder vs 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee). Open the full comparison to change the weights.
Which is better, the Nissan Pathfinder or the Toyota Highlander?
The Toyota Highlander edges it, 94.8 to 89.1, on fuel & range, tech & comfort, safety. The Nissan Pathfinder is ahead on price and performance. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2026 Toyota Highlander comes out ahead in the newest scored pairing (2026 Nissan Pathfinder vs 2026 Toyota Highlander). Open the full comparison to change the weights.
Which is better, the Nissan Pathfinder or the Ford Explorer?
The Nissan Pathfinder wins clearly, 95.7 to 89.6, on safety. The Ford Explorer is ahead on tech & comfort and fuel & range. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2026 Nissan Pathfinder comes out ahead in the newest scored pairing (2026 Ford Explorer vs 2026 Nissan Pathfinder). Open the full comparison to change the weights.
Which is better, the Nissan Pathfinder or the Kia Telluride?
The Kia Telluride wins clearly, 96 to 87.9, on tech & comfort, space & cargo, performance. The Nissan Pathfinder is ahead on safety and fuel & range. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2025 Kia Telluride comes out ahead in the newest scored pairing (2025 Kia Telluride vs 2025 Nissan Pathfinder). Open the full comparison to change the weights.
Which is better, the Nissan Pathfinder or the Hyundai Palisade?
The Hyundai Palisade wins clearly, 96.1 to 87.7, on fuel & range, tech & comfort, space & cargo. The Nissan Pathfinder is ahead on safety. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2026 Hyundai Palisade comes out ahead in the newest scored pairing (2026 Nissan Pathfinder vs 2026 Hyundai Palisade). Open the full comparison to change the weights.
Where does the Nissan Pathfinder win and lose against its rivals?
The Pathfinder leads on safety in 7 of 9, price in 3 of 5; it trails on tech & comfort in 8 of 9, performance in 7 of 8, space & cargo in 6 of 8. Every count comes from the category scores on the pair pages linked above, which use EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press-kit data.
How does WhichTrim decide which vehicle wins?
Each of seven categories — price, fuel and range, safety, space and cargo, performance, tech and comfort, warranty — is scored 0–100 from the data on the page. Relative measures give 100 to the better vehicle and a proportional share to the other; NHTSA stars and the Safety Signal use their own scales. The overall score is the weighted mean at the default weights (price 4, safety 4, fuel 3, tech 3, space 2, performance 2, warranty 2). A margin of 6 points or more is a clear win, 2 to 6 an edge, under 2 a toss-up. Every pair page has sliders to set your own weights.