The 2026 Nissan Pathfinder Keeps Its Old-School Charm: Review

If you’ve been paying attention, a lot of Nissan’s recent debuts have mixed old with new. Sometimes, the restraints of fiscal responsibility create an environment where a company like Nissan needs to get creative and focus on the details bound to make the biggest impact.

That’s what Nissan has done with the refreshed 2026 Pathfinder. It didn’t go overboard with the redesign, instead adding strategic updates to the exterior styling and aligning the SUV’s front-end styling with the latest Kicks and Murano. Inside, Nissan made subtler updates that buyers will appreciate.

While Nissan has been struggling, the fifth-generation SUV is a bright spot. Sales for the three-row SUV are up for the year, a trend that began when this generation first went on sale for 2022 and should continue with the updated model.

In a segment where many models have shifted to turbocharged four-cylinder engines, the Pathfinder stands out with its naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V-6. It’s nothing spectacular; this is the same engine Nissan launched near the end of the fourth-generation model in 2018. But I enjoyed the old-school feeling as I drove the 2026 Pathfinder Rock Creek.

Photo by: Anthony Alaniz / Motor1

The Pathfinder’s naturally aspirated engine isn’t as peppy as some turbocharged alternatives, making 284 horsepower and 259 pound-feet of torque. But the traditional nine-speed automatic transmission made putting the power down engaging, making the Pathfinder feel quick off the line. It can easily overtake on the highway while still returning competitive fuel economy numbers.

The best the Pathfinder can achieve is 21 miles per gallon city, 27 highway, and 23 combined. That’s not spectacular, but it’s better than the Chevrolet Traverse, a three-row SUV with a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder. It makes 328 hp and returns up to 20 mpg city, 26 highway, and 22 combined.

One thing the Pathfinder is missing compared to some of its competitors is a hybrid option, not that the SUV really needs it right now. The V-6 helps differentiate the Pathfinder for those who don’t like electrification or forced induction, but a hybrid would undoubtedly help save some money at the fuel pump.

Photo by: Anthony Alaniz / Motor1

Pros: Competitive Fuel Economy, NA V-6, Improved Phone Charging  

The fuel economy in the Rock Creek trim I drove does suffer from the off-road upgrades Nissan added, as well as the standard all-wheel drive, which is optional on every other trim. The Rock Creek returns 20 mpg city, 23 highway, 21 mpg combined.

This version of the Pathfinder also has an off-road-tuned suspension, a raised ride height, and 18-inch black alloy wheels wrapped in 265/60R18 Toyo Tire Open Country A/T rubber. All of which worsens a vehicle’s fuel economy.

Photo by: Anthony Alaniz / Motor1

Photo by: Anthony Alaniz / Motor1

Photos by: Anthony Alaniz / Motor1

Despite the knobbier tires, the cabin was pleasantly quiet. At highway speeds, there was a hint of tire noise, but it was nothing I found offensive for a three-row SUV. The ride was comfortable, even with the tuned suspension. Nissan found a sweet spot between off-road capability and everyday usefulness.

That said, the Pathfinder’s outdated bones and unibody construction are holding it back from real off-road capability.  If you want a real off-roader in the Nissan lineup, go for a Pro-4X model.

Photo by: Anthony Alaniz / Motor1

Cons: No Hybrid Option, Dated Architecture  

Inside, the Pathfinder Rock Creek features trim-specific leatherette seats, and the one I drove came with the Premium package. This adds the Qi2 wireless phone charger with magnets to keep it in place.

I wasn’t able to fully test out the new charger—I had to use the wired Apple CarPlay connection during my drive. But Nissan tripled the pad’s charging speed from 5 to 15 watts, claiming it’ll charge a phone from 10 to 90 percent in just over 90 minutes. The previous pad took around 4 hours, which is virtually useless when mirroring your phone.

The Pathfinder’s cabin is nearly unchanged, but the larger standard 12.3-inch screen did force Nissan to tweak the dashboard. The Pathfinder now features the same audio-hazard-camera controls module found in the updated Sentra and Leaf—it’s located between the middle vents, and it’s great.

One subtle change was the steering wheel, which might not seem big, but Nissan replaced the round horn pad with an angular one that better matches the model’s sharp exterior styling and adds a premium feel to an already well-appointed interior. The round one looks cheap in comparison.

The 2026 Pathfinder will be slightly more expensive than before. While the entry-level Pathfinder S starts at $38,995 (all prices include the $1,495 destination charge), the Pathfinder Rock Creek is $510 more expensive. It starts at $46,495 for 2026.

The one I drove had the Rock Creek Premium Package that was an extra $2,270, bringing the SUV’s as-tested price to $48,765. The Pathfinder range tops out with the Platinum trim, which costs $52,895.

The revamped 2026 Pathfinder goes on sale early next year, and while Nissan kept the changes to a minimum, they make sense. Nissan keeps its popular three-row SUV competitive without trying to make it something it’s not.

Nissan has been building the Pathfinder for 40 years, and while it has lost some of its rough-and-tough aesthetic with the switch to unibody construction, the Rock Creek trim hits the right balance between ruggedness and livability. You get three rows, competitive fuel economy numbers, and a lovely naturally aspirated engine. It’s still a solid choice in a crowded field.

Nissan Pathfinder Competitors

Chevrolet Traverse
Dodge Durango  
Ford Explorer  
Honda Pilot  
Hyundai Palisade  
Kia Telluride 

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