2019 Nissan Pathfinder Review: Average At Best
While the original Nissan Pathfinder was a rugged and competent body-on-frame SUV, the 2019 Pathfinder has been more closely refined for city living. Capable of seating seven, the unibody crossover SUV offers adequate, but unremarkable, performance with its 284 horsepower, 3.5-liter V6 engine. It sacrifices its hardy, athletic heritage in exchange for more comfort and daily usability, boasting a more cultured continuously variable transmission. With a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS under its belt, this SUV is a great family car with a competitive $31,530 starting price tag; but this isn't really enough to compete with more modern rivals like the Toyota Highlander or Honda Pilot. Even with its 2017 refurbishments, the Nissan Pathfinder feels dated in almost every regard, lacking the features that many have come to expect from modern SUVs, especially family-oriented vehicles.
What's the Price of the 2019 Nissan Pathfinder?
Depending on the choice of trim and drivetrain, the Pathfinder's price can vary significantly. The basic S trim has a starting MSRP of $31,530, with the SV trim adds $2,840 to the invoice price. While the SL trim comes in a bit pricier at $38,020, the top-tier Platinum trim maxes out at $42,870. Opting for the four-wheel drivetrain will set you back an additional $1,690. These prices do not include tax, registration, licensing, or Nissan's $1,045 destination fee.
Best Deals on 2019 Nissan Pathfinder
2019 Pathfinder Exterior
Dimensions
Length | Wheelbase | Height | Max Width | Front Width | Rear Width | Curb Weight |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
198.5 in | 114.2 in | 69.5 in | 77.3 in | 65.7 in | 65.7 in | 4,293.0 lbs |
Exterior Colors
2019 Pathfinder Performance
Engine and Transmission
Handling and Driving Impressions
The Nissan Pathfinder is not designed for an athletic driving experience. Its inability to capitalize on its powerful engine, and its excessive weight, make it feel a little sluggish on the road. Driving around town, by comparison, is a breeze with adequate acceleration and good low-speed handling. Despite its size, the Pathfinder is easy to steer thanks to a high level of steering assistance, but this reduces communication significantly, and the resistance caused by the wheel aggressively re-centering itself can be annoying. The brakes are talkative, at least, and provide impressive stopping power for a vehicle of this size, bringing it to a halt from 60 mph in just 124 ft.
At higher speeds, the mediocre handling becomes much more noticeable, with the enormous SUV significantly leaning into turns. The light steering only exacerbates this, although the stability control kicks in early as the exaggerated body roll easily threatens to pull things off course. Unfortunately, the Pathfinder rides a bit on the stiff side, especially if you opt for the 20-inch wheels, meaning that anything other than a smooth surface can quickly ruin ride quality. At least the cabin is predominantly comfortable, and it does a good job of dampening noise.
Overall, the Nissan Pathfinder doesn't handle poorly, offering decent daily driving dynamics, but it doesn't outshine its rivals by any stretch of the imagination. Many other SUVs provide similar or better performance while improving comfort and offering superior handling characteristics.
2019 Pathfinder Interior
Seating and Interior Space
2019 Pathfinder Trunk and Cargo Space
2019 Pathfinder Safety and Reliability
Warranty
Basic | Drivetrain | Corrosion | Roadside Assistance |
---|---|---|---|
3 Years / 36,000 Miles | 5 Years / 60,000 Miles | 5 Years / Unlimited Miles | 3 Years / 36,000 Miles |
US NHTSA Crash Test Result
Overall Rating | Frontal Barrier Crash Rating | Side Crash Rating | Rollover Rating |
---|---|---|---|
4/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 |
Verdict: Is the 2019 Nissan Pathfinder A Good SUV?
The Nissan Pathfinder certainly has a lot going right for it, but the problem is that it has just as much going wrong. It offers a torquey engine that should give it great performance, but it is unrefined and can't push the hefty SUV with any real degree of haste. Similarly, the handling is adequate, and even good, at regular driving speeds, but falls short after you get up to higher speeds.
In terms of infotainment, it offers the bare minimum you would expect in a family-sized SUV, but the tech is a bit dated and it lacks more modern staples like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It does offer a fair number of safety features and driving aids, at least. Unfortunately, these are more necessary than one might prefer, as the Pathfinder doesn't offer great visibility and the size of the vehicle is deceptive from the inside. It's also aimed at family-carrying and city driving, which implies that safety should be highly prioritized.
For the most part, the crossover SUV provides a comfortable ride, but some may find it a bit stiff. As the model moves more into the urban environment and loses its off-road heritage, it is becoming more reliant on well-maintained roads to ensure a comfortable ride. This is compounded by a cabin that isn't as comfortable as it looks.
Ultimately, the Pathfinder offers performance and driveability that is truly average, with tech features that leave you feeling unfulfilled. It may seem affordable, but there are other options out there that won't break the bank while still offering better all-round value for your money.
What Nissan Pathfinder Model Should I Buy?
With four trims to choose from, and multiple packages, deciding which model to purchase all comes down to budget and personal taste. There is little reason to go for the Platinum unless you have the money to spare (in which case aiming for more expensive rivals should also be an option). By the same token though, there is no reason to choose the base model either, if you can afford better. We suggest opting for either the SV or the SL, which offer better safety features and driver aids, particularly the surround-view camera on the SL. If you choose the SL with no packages and only front-wheel-drive, you can get away with paying around $38,000, which is still quite competitive in the segment.
2019 Nissan Pathfinder Comparisons
2019 Nissan Pathfinder vs Honda Pilot
The Honda Pilot does everything the Nissan Pathfinder does and, for the most part, it does it better. Sporting a similarly powerful 280 hp, V6 engine, the Pilot achieves better overall performance thanks to a more refined powertrain, all while staying competitive in terms of fuel economy. However, the Pathfinder has a more polished transmission, offering extremely smooth management of power. And while the Pilot may have similar output figures, the Nissan SUV manages to tow a little more. In terms of safety and tech features, the Honda Pilot offers more, with a newly updated infotainment display that feels much better to use than the Pathfinder's old-school interface; the Pilot also supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Honda SUV offers more driver assistance features as standard, including the SUV-prerequisite lane-departure warning. These safety features, combined with the spacious and well-appointed interior, make the Honda Pilot an excellent family vehicle. Overall, it places ahead of the Pathfinder in almost all the key points that a discerning SUV buyer should be considering.
2019 Nissan Pathfinder vs Toyota Highlander
While the Toyota Highlander's base 2.5-liter four-cylinder leaves much to be desired, its 295 hp V6 is certainly up to par. It offers competitive acceleration and sounds impressive, all while maintaining efficient fuel economy estimates. Additionally, the Highlander manages its power better than the Pathfinder does, offering a greater sense of control at higher speeds. Still, it doesn't handle sharp turns well at even a slower pace.
Toyota has put a lot more care into the interior design of its SUV compared to Nissan, and it shows. The cabin feels upscale and offers plenty of cargo space with the seats folded down. The Highlander also provides better safety features, like rain-sensing wipers and lane-departure warning, as standard. The Pathfinder can still tow more, so if that's a key factor for you, this Toyota will disappoint. But, if you're looking for an SUV that is safe, has a plush interior, and still feels satisfying to drive, the Highlander ticks more boxes than the Pathfinder does.