Review - 2023 Nissan Pathfinder

The Nissan Pathfinder combines a large, family-friendly cabin with enough space for eight people with a range of front-wheel drive and more versatile all-wheel drive variants, giving buyers a heap of choices.

Which is the best Pathfinder within the range? Let’s take a closer look to see which fits your family-friendly SUV needs.

Nissan Pathfinder Competition

Starting Price: $54,190

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How Much Does It Cost?

Prices for the Nissan Pathfinder range kick off from $54,190 for the entry-level ST FWD, while the ST AWD is priced at $61,790.

Stepping up to the ST-L AWD brings the price to $65,910, while the range-topping Ti FWD and AWD are priced at $65,910 and $70,030, respectively.

Keep in mind that these retail prices are subject to change and do not include on-road costs.

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You could save money by getting one of OnlineAuto’s car buying agents to assist you in finding the greatest value model for you.

Nissan Pathfinder - Ti (4WD) Specifications

What Features Does the Nissan Pathfinder Have?

Nissan’s entry-level Pathfinder ST comes riding on a set of 18-inch alloys and receives an eight-seat layout with cloth upholstery, LED headlights, heated front seats, three-zone climate control, keyless entry & start, adaptive cruise control.

On the tech front, you’ll find a rear-view camera with rear-mounted parking sensors, a 7.0-inch instrument cluster, 10.8-inch head-up display and a 9.0-inch infotainment display with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto.

Stepping up to the Pathfinder ST-L adds a set of LED fog lights, a powered boot lift, roof rails, a leather steering wheel, remote start, surround-view camera and Nissan’s ProPilot system, while the Ti comes with a unique set of 18-inch alloys, heated leather seats, a power-adjustable driver’s seat and a 13-speaker Bose sound system.

Finally, the range-topping Pathfinder Ti-L comes packing 20-inch alloys, a panoramic sunroof, underbody protection, a digital rear-view mirror, 12.3-inch instrument cluster, ambient lighting and the option of a seven-seat interior with captain’s chairs in the second row.

Range Features:

• 18-inch alloys 

• Eight-seat layout with cloth upholstery and heated front seats 

• LED headlights 

• Three-zone climate control 

• Adaptive cruise control 

• 10.8-inch head-up display 

• 9.0-inch infotainment display with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto 

• Powered boot lift (ST-L)

• Roof rails (ST-L) 

• Leather upholstery (Ti)

• 13-speaker Bose sound system (Ti) 

• 20-inch alloys (Ti-L)

• Panoramic sunroof (Ti-L)

• 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster (Ti-L)

• Seven-seat interior layout with second-row captain’s chairs (Ti-L)

Is the Nissan Pathfinder Comfortable to Drive?

Nissan has given the Pathfinder some new suspension hardware underneath and a new tune for the steering system, which has made the already impressive package even more comfortable and versatile.

Power for the entire Pathfinder range, from base model to flagship, comes supplied by a 3.5-litre V6 pushing out 202kW of power and 340Nm of torque, which powers either the front or all four wheels via a CVT automatic.

The end result is smooth and reasonably impressive acceleration off the line for such a large package, with no noticeable shifts whatsoever from the CVT unit.

Around town, the Pathfinder is nice and user-friendly for a vehicle of its size, with the revised steering making it more responsible at low speeds and while parking.

The same goes for the updated suspension hardware underneath which helps to iron out bumps and inclines on driveways while keeping the body stable, and makes it far more versatile when you’ve left smooth city streets.

On country roads, the Pathfinder feels confident and far sharper than its predecessor, and makes for an awesome grand tourer thanks to its smooth new suspension gear that helps to keep the body flat without becoming rigid on bumps.

On the highway, the Pathfinder really hits its stride, making for one of the best long distance tourers thanks to the comfortable suspension setup and ample power from the V6.

For those interested in towing, the Pathfinder has braked towing caps of 2700kg, with a maximum tow ball load of 270kg, adding some versatility to the package.

Is it Fuel Efficient?

While the Pathfinder’s V6 might be a glorious power plant for the eight-seat SUV, fuel efficiency is, unfortunately, one of the downsides of a large-capacity six-cylinder engine.

Officially, the Pathfinder front-wheel drive range sips fuel at a rate of 10L per 100km, while the Pathfinder with an all-wheel drive system is rated at 10.5L/100km, making it a fairly thirsty SUV.

Is it Practical and Spacious?

Designed with large families in mind, the Pathfinder’s substantial platform makes for a great place for growing families to stretch out, stash their belongings and hit the road.

Up front, the Pathfinder’s redesigned cabin is far more sleek than the previous package, with the driver and front passenger positioned nice and high above the ground and offered with a great deal of forward visibility.

The Pathfinder’s layout is filled with tech, without being overwhelming, with Nissan sticking with physical inputs for the climate inputs, with the infotainment display sitting atop the dash.

The driver and front passenger are separated by a bulky centre console that houses a pair of cup holders, a large storage area at the base of the dash, with added storage under the armrest.

Space and comfort in the front of the cabin are exceptional, so too is what’s on offer in the second row of the cabin, with more than enough head and legroom available for tall adults.

Most Pathfinders come packing an eight-seat layout, though the top-spec Ti-L offers a seven-seat layout with a pair of captain’s chairs in the second row that are exceptionally comfortable.

Amenities in the second row include dedicated climate control with air vents, USB charging ports and a folding armrest with cup holders.

Nissan’s second row also picks up a set of ISOFIX anchors, three top tether mounts and clever ‘EZ Flex’ seats that make for super easy access into the third row of the cabin.

While a number of large SUVs offer more of a five-plus-two configuration, the Pathfinder’s third row is truly spacious, especially if you’re throwing a pair of shorter legs in the rear of the cabin.

All up, the Pathfinder is an absolute beast when it comes to practicality, with boot space figures of 205L with three rows standing, increasing to 782L in five-seat mode.

Is it Safe?

The Nissan Pathfinder has picked up a five-star ANCAP safety rating, scoring 86% for adult protection, 93% for child protection, 78% for pedestrian protection and 85% for safety assist.

As standard, the Pathfinder picks up autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alerts, lane-departure alerts, lane-keep assist, traffic sign recognition, tyre pressure monitoring, a rear-view camera, adaptive cruise control and nine airbags.

Upgrading to the ST-L variant and higher adds a surround-view camera and Nissan’s ProPilot system.

Our Verdict: Is The Nissan Pathfinder Worth it?

The Nissan Pathfinder is a difficult car to fault when it comes to sheer space, practicality and ride comfort for large families.

While it’s six-cylinder engine is far from what you’d call efficient, it remains an exceptional option for families in the market for a smooth, stylish and well-equipped eight-seat SUV that doesn’t force you to step up from the base model.

If you’re in the market for a large and practical family SUV, be sure to reach out to one of our car-buying specialists who can help find you the best price.

Five Nissan Pathfinder Specs You Need to Know

1. Five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty 

2. 3.5-litre V6 (202kW/340Nm) with CVT automatic 

3. 10-10.5L per 100km fuel economy figures 

4. Five-star ANCAP safety rating 

5. 205L boot expands to 782L with third-row folded