The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder, which just got a major facelift last year, has become a 3-row family haulier. The price begins at $35,000 and goes up from there.
The Nissan Pathfinder is a family-friendly three-row midsize SUV with a tough edge. We like how it looks like it’s ready for the trail, and the smart all-wheel-drive system and higher towing capacity than most competitors back that up. This year, Nissan added the Rock Creek version to the Pathfinder, which made it even better off-road. Nonetheless, the spacious third row and broad list of desirable features and technology are the main draws for most customers.
Price for the 2023 Nissan Pathfinder
The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder starts at $35,000 and goes up from there. This is better than the Hyundai Palisade, Chevrolet Traverse, and Subaru Ascent, which are some of its competitors. The Pathfinder competes with other, more expensive vehicles, including the Ford Explorer, Toyota Highlander, and Mazda CX-9.
The Nissan lineup also includes the 5-passenger Murano ($33,660) and the daring Rogue ($27,360). Upgrade to the Armada, which costs about $51,000 and can pull up to 8,500 pounds, to make your 3-row Nissan better at towing.
Nissan refers to the Pathfinder’s all-wheel drive as a 4-wheel drive (4WD), and the upgrade costs $1,900. 4WD is available on the new Rock Creek grade. The Pathfinder SL is our favourite of the Pathfinder’s five trim levels.
- 2023 $35,000 Nissan Pathfinder S
- 2023 $37,820 Nissan Pathfinder SV
- 2023 $41,420 Nissan Pathfinder SL
- 2023 Rock Creek Nissan Pathfinder: $42,820
- Platinum 2023 Nissan Pathfinder: $47,970
These are the MSRPs, which do not include the $1,695 factory delivery cost.
Check the Kelley Blue Book fair purchase price before purchasing a 2023 Nissan Pathfinder to find out what you should truly spend. Pathfinder resale prices are somewhat lower than the category average.
What’s New in 2023?
The only notable 2023 modification is the whole new Rock Creek grade. It is priced between the front-wheel-drive SL and Platinum specification levels. It does, however, come standard with 4WD. In actuality, it expands on the SV’s substance. It has an off-road suspension and a surround-view camera, and it rides 5/8 inch higher. It also comes with 18-inch beadlock alloy wheels. Among the other changes are a tubular roof rack, a unique front fascia and grille, and a unique seat fabric.
Driving the Nissan Pathfinder 2023
We put the new Pathfinder through its paces both on and off the road. We’ve driven it in mud, snow, and, of course, on paved roads, where the vast majority of Pathfinders will spend most of their time. The Pathfinder has proven to be a pleasant and smooth family vehicle.
The basic V6 engine is quick, and the 9-speed automatic gearbox provides smooth and rapid changes when needed. When you choose the 4-wheel drive (4WD), you have seven drive modes to choose from (Standard, Sport, Eco, Snow, Sand, Mud/Rut, and Tow). They help you get the most out of your driving based on what you need at the time.
Off-road performance with 4WD is more than enough for most drivers looking for a practical 3-row SUV. This is especially true for the new Rock Creek model. Although the contemporary Pathfinder isn’t the off-roader it once was, it’s not without abilities. It can, for example, ascend a mountain road, play in the mud, and navigate snowy streets without missing a beat.
Interior Flexibility
We like the Pathfinder’s second-row captain’s seats, which were added in 2022. They offer a 2-2-3 seating arrangement with a detachable centre console. The Pathfinder has eight seats when the standard centre bench is installed.
The Pathfinder’s interior is modern and large. It has a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel with several screen options. There is a 10.8-inch head-up display that shows information like the speed of the car and navigational instructions on the back of the windshield.
A 9-inch colour touchscreen (an 8-inch screen is standard) is also available and is located high on the Pathfinder’s centre console, within easy reach of the driver and front passenger. It has air vents with strange shapes that fit into the soft surfaces of the dashboard. A bridge-style centre console has an electronic shifter and a useful storage cubby.
Textile and leather upholstery comes in a range of colours, and there are seven Pathfinder interior settings to choose from. One, for example, has brushed bronze metallic embellishments. Ambient lighting inside adds to the nice feel of the cabin, and four USB ports and two 12-volt power outlets make it more useful.
The one-touch mechanism on the second-row bench allows the seat to fold and glide forward. It makes access and egress easier for the third row. A 120-quart cooler or four golf bags may be stored behind the farthest bench. The Pathfinder can carry several 48-sheet plywood sheets flat on the floor without any uncomfortable angles when both rows are folded.
The Rugged Look
Nissan claims that the 2023 Pathfinder’s design drew inspiration from outdoor equipment to appear strong and capable. It does this with a sharper profile, a flatter hood, a broader stance, noticeable fender flares, and shorter front and rear overhangs. Bigger tires also contribute to the tough SUV appearance.
The corporate V-Motion grille is there, confirming that this is a Nissan. Moreover, the three slots at the top of the grille are a subtle nod to the ones found on the hood of the original 1986 Pathfinder. The floating C-pillars, which look like the angle of the side windows on the first Pathfinder, are also a nod to that much-loved car.
External design components include two-tone paint schemes that are available. LED headlights come equipped with slender upper daytime running lights. U-shaped side design features connecting the strong fender blisters add to the muscular appearance.
The new Pathfinder sports a boxy back end with narrow yet large LED taillights. Pathfinder is engraved on the liftgate in huge, satin chrome lettering.
There are fourteen different colours and colour combinations for the 2023 Pathfinder, including five new two-tone treatments. Scarlet Ember with Super Black Metallic looks fantastic, as does the earthy Obsidian Green Pear.
Our Favorite Features And Tech
EZ Flex Seats
We’re still astounded at how simple this tool is to use. The middle-row seats release, fold forward and glide with a single touch to make room for the third-row seat.
ProPilot Assist
Nissan’s semi-autonomous driving technology combines adaptive cruise control and steering assistance. Under certain circumstances, this enables the Pathfinder to accelerate, steer, and brake on its own.
Typical Surround-View Camera Starting with the SL trim, this technology generates a 360-degree bird’s-eye view of the Pathfinder and its surroundings to make parking a breeze. When you change into 4WD in its Rock Creek application, it also displays the terrain directly in front of the car. It was especially helpful when we were testing off-road since we didn’t need a spotter to guide us through rough terrain.
Power Liftgate with Hands-Free Operation
If you’ve ever tried to open a rear liftgate while carrying packages or grocery bags, you’ll love this innovation as much as we did. The hatch opens automatically with a sweep of your foot beneath the back bumper, as long as you have the key fob.
Bose Audi System
Its 13-speaker audio system with subwoofer is optional on the SL and standard on the highest-level Platinum grade. It gave us the impression that we were in a music hall.
A cluster of Digital Gauges
This 12.3-inch, fully digital cluster is standard in the Platinum trim. We were able to switch between several types of information. Warnings, settings, sound-system information, and safety systems are some examples.
Standard Characteristics
The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder comes in the S, SV, SL, Rock Creek, and Platinum trims. Except for the Rock Creek, 2WD is standard, with 4WD available for an additional $1,900. 4WD is standard on Rock Creek. The V6 engine and 9-speed automatic transmission are standard on all 2023 Pathfinders.
The standard S model is well-equipped with safety and entertainment systems. The NissanConnect system includes Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Nissan should be praised for making sure that every Pathfinder has the Safety Shield 360 safety technology package. Safety Shield 360 comes with automatic emergency brakes in the front and back, high-beam assists, lane-departure warning, blind-spot detection, and rear cross-traffic alert.
ProPilot Assist semi-autonomous driving technology, which employs adaptive cruise control and steering help to make highway driving easier, is added as you progress through the trim levels. Standard features include Wi-Fi, NissanConnect Services powered by SiriusXM, and an updated 9-inch infotainment touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay. Sadly, no wireless Android Auto is available. A 360-degree surround-view camera is also included.
Lastly, the Platinum grade has a 12.3-inch fully digital instrument cluster, a 10.8-inch head-up display, wireless charging, semi-aniline leather seats, and other features.
Options from the Manufacturer
There are no factory-installed options on the base S model. The SV trim, on the other hand, has a $2,170 SV Premium Package available. It has a panoramic sunroof, a power liftgate that remembers its position, a towing kit that lets it tow up to 6,000 pounds, and second-row captain’s seats with a centre console that can be removed.
At $2,900, a comparable Premium Package is offered for the SL trim. In addition to what the SV Premium Package has, this package has 20-inch alloy wheels, a Bose 13-speaker premium audio system, heated rear seats, and wireless charging.
Transmission and engine
Every 2023 Nissan Pathfinder has a 3.5-litre V6 engine that makes 284 hp and 259 lb-ft of torque. A 9-speed automatic transmission is also standard.
The Nissan Pathfinder offers a best-in-class towing capability of 6,000 pounds when equipped with the tow package. The Ford Explorer, which can tow up to 5,600 pounds, is the only direct competition that comes close, although the Kia Telluride can now pull up to 5,500 pounds. This expands what you can tow with a midsize 3-row crossover, such as compact RVs starting at 5,200 pounds.
The Pathfinder’s power, torque, and fuel efficiency are all-around average for this class.
- 3.5-liter V6
- 284 horsepower @ 6,400 rpm
- 259 lb-ft of torque @ 4,800 rpm
- EPA combined fuel economy: 23 mpg (20 cities, 27 highways) 4WD: 23 mpg (21 cities, 27 highways) Rock Creek AWD: 21 mpg (20 cities, 23 highways) SL/Platinum AWD: 22 mpg (20 cities, 25 highway)
What are the safety ratings and features of the Pathfinder?
Forward collision warning with automated emergency braking that identifies pedestrians and cyclists is standard on all 2023 Pathfinders, as rear automatic braking (an uncommon feature), blind-spot and rear cross-traffic detection (normally extra), and lane-departure warning. All bar the basic S get steering intervention for the blind-spot and lane-departure systems. Nissan ProPilot Assist, a sophisticated adaptive cruise control system with a well-executed steering assist system, is also available on the top three levels. You must retain one hand on the wheel, but the automobile does the majority of the work.
The NHTSA assigned the Pathfinder four out of five stars for frontal crash protection and five stars for side crash prevention, but no overall rating was given at the time of writing. It was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety because it was the best in its class in all types of crashes, including the newly revised side test, and because it had a system that stopped it from colliding with cars in front of it. Its “Acceptable” headlamp ratings were also sufficient to get the prize.
Warranty: 3 years/36,000 miles
The Pathfinder comes with a 3-year/36,000-mile standard warranty as well as a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. Most of the other cars on the market, like the Chevrolet Traverse, Ford Explorer, and Mazda CX-9, offer the same warranty coverage.
An acquaintance of mine told me that after researching the entire market for three-row SUVs, the 2023 Nissan Pathfinder was the best option to buy. He bought the Rock Creek Edition and was not disappointed with his car in any way. It performed great in snow and ice, he says, and I’m eager to take it camping in the spring and summer. It offers plenty of space and very little noise on the road thanks to the extra large tires that come as standard. My kids enjoy the extra space in the back. My only problem is that the front passenger seat cannot be moved to a higher position. If a shorter person can’t just sit back and enjoy the ride a little more, it makes him feel small. In short, I enjoy this car, and given its low price, I would suggest it to everyone. A competing SUV in its class can cost up to $10,000 more for just a few extra amenities.
