2026 Nissan Pathfinder

The Nissan Pathfinder is a humble and practical midsize 3-row SUV designed with families in mind. With a trusty V6 under the hood, towing capacity that’s among the best in its class, and a third row that’s easy to get in and out of, the Pathfinder is a tool that gets the job done. It gets some nice enhancements for 2026, including an aesthetic refresh that keeps it looking modern, and updated interior tech like a standard 12.3-inch infotainment display and standard wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. These updates go a long way in keeping the Nissan Pathfinder competitive in an increasingly competitive segment.

The Nissan Pathfinder gets a facelift for 2026 with reworked front and rear fascias and satin exterior badging. Inside, the dashboard is also redesigned to include a 12.3-inch central touchscreen that now comes standard on every trim, as does wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Further, a new Baltic Teal paint option is available and the wireless charging pad gains a fan, so it charges your phone a little faster.

The Nissan Pathfinder has historically been on the more affordable side of its class, and that remains for 2026. The Pathfinder starts at $38,995, including the $1,495 destination fee.

The Nissan Pathfinder continues to have one of the lower starting prices in its class. Other midsize 3-row SUVs that start at around the $40,000 mark include the Hyundai Palisade, Mazda CX-90, and Volkswagen Atlas.

Before buying a Pathfinder, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should really pay. Nissan Pathfinder resale value is about average for the segment. Recouping more money when selling a vehicle can mean a bigger down payment and lower monthly payments on the next one.

The 2026 Nissan Pathfinder is powered by a 284-horsepower V6 engine (295 hp in the Rock Creek trim), matched with a 9-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). In an era when turbocharged 4-cylinder engines are becoming more common in 3-row family vehicles, we appreciate the grunt of this stout V6, which gives the Pathfinder an impressive 6,000-pound max towing capacity.

The Nissan Pathfinder has behaved very predictably in our testing, and that’s not a bad thing. It goes, turns, and stops exactly how we expect for an SUV this size. The power never felt lacking, even in highway passing. We even put it through its paces as a family vehicle with kids in the second- and third-row seats, and the V6 under the hood was more than up to the task.

Nissan’s ProPILOT Assist technology works nicely when piloting the Nissan Pathfinder on the highway. Driver assistance features like adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist work in concert to take some of the stress out of long highway stints.

Fuel Economy

The Nissan Pathfinder returns up to 21 city/27 highway/23 combined mpg. The Platinum trim gets 22 combined mpg, and the Rock Creek gets 21 mpg. These fuel economy ratings are average for this class. If you want a more efficient family hauler, the Hyundai Palisade, Toyota Grand Highlander, and Mazda CX-90 all offer hybrid options.

Nissan’s signature Zero Gravity front seats are as comfy as ever; they’re some of our favorite seats for spending hours eating up highway miles. The Pathfinder can get pretty luxurious in the upper trims with features like leather seats (heated and ventilated in front), a panoramic sunroof, and Bose premium audio.

One of our favorite features of the Nissan Pathfinder is the Latch and Glide second-row seats that tilt and slide for easy access to the third row. We tested them with child car seats installed in the captain’s chairs, and they work like a dream. Also, there’s an available second-row center console that’s removable if you’d rather keep that space open for easier third-row access. It’s details like these that make the Pathfinder such a family-friendly SUV.

We climbed into the third row, which has three seats, and found the space to be about average for a midsize 3-row SUV. The legroom is a bit tight for adults, with only 28 inches of space, but it’s adequate for kids. Cargo space is a little below average, with only 16.6 cubic feet of room behind the third row. Naturally, the more seats you can afford to fold down, the more cargo room you get. There’s 45 cubic feet of room behind the second row and 80.5 cubic feet behind the first row.

The 2026 update helps keep the Nissan Pathfinder looking fresh compared to its modern rivals. This latest Pathfinder features some subtle design cues borrowed from its past, such as the diagonal painted C-pillar and three nostrils in the upper front grille. We’re partial to the rugged Rock Creek edition with its 18-inch beadlock-style wheels, tubular roof rack, and unique grille.

Wireless Android Auto/Apple CarPlay
Our favorite enhancement to the Pathfinder for 2026 is standard wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay on every trim, accompanied by a standard 12.3-inch infotainment display. This makes it easy to bring your maps, music, and more to the screen in the car without taking your phone out of your purse or pocket.

Latch and Glide seats
We’re still amazed by how easy this feature is to operate. With a single touch, the middle-row seats release, fold forward, and slide to allow easy access to the third row. We can confirm that they work well with child car seats installed.

ProPILOT Assist
Nissan’s semi-autonomous driver-assistance system combines adaptive cruise control with steering assistance, allowing the Pathfinder to accelerate, steer, and brake itself (with your hands on the wheel and eyes on the road) under certain conditions. It’s standard in the SV trim and up.

Rock Creek Edition
The Rock Creek Edition is the most rugged version of the Nissan Pathfinder. In addition to its macho appearance package, it has standard all-wheel drive, an upgraded V6 with 295 horsepower, an off-road suspension system, and all-terrain tires.

Invisible Hood View
This camera view allows the driver to see “through” the Pathfinder’s hood and engine bay, which is handy for off-roading and navigating carwashes and drive-through curbs. A similar feature is available on more expensive SUVs from brands like Lexus and Land Rover, so it’s nice to see it on this reasonably priced Nissan. It comes in the Rock Creek, SL, and Platinum trims.

Power for every Nissan Pathfinder comes from a tried-and-true 3.5-liter V6. It makes 295 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque in the Rock Creek Edition, and 284 hp and 259 lb-ft of torque in every other trim. Power is routed to the front or all four wheels via a 9-speed automatic transmission.

When properly equipped, the Nissan Pathfinder can tow up to 6,000 pounds, putting it among the best in class for towing. If you’ll be pulling a boat, camper, or trailer regularly, the Pathfinder is more suitable for the task than most of its rivals.

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.

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 2025 and earned the top 5-Star rating in the government’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) overall rating. Earning the highest possible award from both safety authorities should give families peace of mind.