Latest News
2025 Buick Enclave vs Honda PilotNissan Pathfinder vs Toyota Highlander
The Toyota Highlander and Nissan Pathfinder offer buyers very different options within the same segment so today we find out which is best.
Mid-sized SUVs with Serious Capability
Eight-seater SUVs don’t grow on trees, but both the Nissan Pathfinder and Toyota Highlander can manage that workload. They’re similarly priced, have similar features, and make similar power figures. Picking one gets easier with a detailed breakdown of exactly what they offer though. Today, we’ll do exactly that. We’ll discuss specs, pricing, features, and more before crowning a winner.
Specs
The 2024 Toyota Highlander starts at $40,665 and can cost over $53,000 depending on options. Between those bookended price tags buyers have 11 trims, two powertrains, and the choice of front or all-wheel drive. The first engine is a turbocharged four-cylinder with 265 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. It gets up to 21 mpg in the city and 29 on the highway.
Next is a hybrid four-cylinder that makes just 243 horsepower and 175 lb-ft of torque. As we pointed out in our full review of the SUV, that’s very weak but hey, at least it achieves up to 36 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway. It has a towing capacity up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped.
Nissan undercuts Toyota by a few thousand dollars on each side of the pricing spectrum. The Pathfinder starts at $37,175 and can cost just over $51,000 in its top trim guise. Across five trim levels, it comes with a single powertrain, a 3.5.-liter V6 that makes 284 horsepower and 259 lb-ft of torque. Notably, buyers can add premium fuel if they have the Rock Creek trim to obtain 295 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque.
That power routes to the ground through a nine-speed automatic gearbox and the buyer’s choice of front or all-wheel drive. In a somewhat unusual result, all-wheel drive Pathfinders get the highest MPG rating from the EPA. They’ll get up to 21 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway. The Nissan also tows up to 6,000 pounds.
Driving and Performance
Driving the Highlander feels more like a chore than it does something we’d intentionally set out to do. Both powertrains feel sluggish and ponderous. The non-hybrid is the better of the two when it comes to engagement and highway manners. It leverages an eight-speed automatic and thanks to all its available torque, it keeps up with most cars just fine.
The hybrid is a different story altogether. It’s built to be a fuel economy king and suits those who spend most of their time in a city or urban environment. There, it feels fine thanks to decent pickup off the line with the electric motor and quiet operation at low speeds. Ultimately, these SUVs feel comfortable and sedate on the road and there’s nothing wrong with that.
Despite considerably lower torque figures, the Pathfinder is quite a bit quicker in a straight line than the Highlander. It’s clear from the driver’s seat that acceleration is easier in the Nissan. The nine-speed gearbox likely deserves some credit here as it does a good job of keeping the Pathfinder in the engine’s power band.
Similarly to the Highlander, the way this SUV drives shows how much Nissan wanted to make it compliant and comfortable rather than responsive and engaging. The steering and pedal feedback almost feels intentionally muted but the cabin is quiet and calm too. On the road, it feels softer than the Highlander except when it comes to the Pathfinder Rock Creek trim with its all-terrain tires and off-road-tuned suspension.
Comfort and Interior
Speaking of comfort in light of the Highlander, that’s where it really shines. The cabin is spacious and the seats are supportive. The dash looks a bit odd as it combines several shapes and design languages but its functional which is what really counts. The infotainment and control stack slightly skews toward the driver and Toyota mixes both physical and touch-sensitive controls in an optimal way. We highly suggest going for the larger 12.3-inch infotainment system as it fits the space far better than the standard 8-inch version.
As we go further back in the cabin the luxuries diminish but space mostly stays the same in the second row. Captain’s chairs are the better option here as they’re nearly as comfortable as the front seats. Automatic tri-zone climate control is available too. Finally, the third row offers minimal space for adults, but most kids will feel completely at home back there. The Highlander offers 16 cubic feet of space behind the third row.
While Nissan might not have the sales that Toyota does, the Pathfinder feels more modern thanks to a squared-off cabin. The seats are supportive and do a nice job of soaking up bumps in the road though we’d love to see Nissan incorporate its Zero Gravity seats into this application too. The second row comes standard as a bench but, like the Highlander, captain’s chairs are also available.
Also like the Toyota, the third row is basically for kids and not much else. Adults could squeeze back there but it wouldn’t be very comfortable. What’s interesting about the Pathfinder is it has more passenger volume than the larger Armada. Behind the third row, buyers get 16.6 cubic feet of cargo space so that’s a small win for it over the Highlander.
Trims and Features
Let’s talk Toyota trims now starting with the LE which gets the gas engine, 18-inch wheels, and an 8-inch infotainment system. The Hybrid LE is a different trim but is the same in every way aside from adding the hybrid drivetrain. Then there’s the Hybrid LE Nightshade which is also the same except that it adds black exterior trim bits and grey seats.
Next is the XLE which gets a sunroof, faux leather upholstery, and second-row sunshades. There is also a Hybrid XLE and Hybrid XLE Nightshade for those who want them. The XSE adds 20-inch wheels, a sport-tuned suspension, and interior ambient lighting. Near the top of the pile is the Limited with 20-inch wheels, a heated steering wheel, and a 12.3-inch infotainment system. Buyers can get it as a hybrid too. Finally, the Platinum, also available with hybrid power, gets unique 20-inch wheels, adaptive headlights, and a panoramic sunroof.
Nissan offers the Pathfinder in five straightforward trims starting with the S. It gets 18-inch wheels, tri-zone automatic climate control, and an 8-inch infotainment system. Next, the SV adds heated front seats, adaptive cruise control, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Above it is the SL with leather upholstery, a surround-view camera system, and a 9-inch infotainment system. The Rock Creek trim was new for 2023 and continues in 2024 with all-terrain tires, a 0.6-inch lift, and an off-road-tuned suspension setup. Finally, the Platinum trim has 20-inch wheels, a panoramic sunroof, and heated rear seats.
The Verdict
These are both fine SUVs for their target audience but for our money, we’d get the Pathfinder and move on down the road. It’s nearly as good as the non-hybrid Highlander when it comes to fuel economy and offers better power delivery, a quieter interior, more cargo space, and a more modern cabin design. Have a look at our New Car Incentives piece to find a great deal today.
