While rivals force buzzing turbocharged four-cylinders onto families, Nissan keeps what works: a tried-and-true, naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V-6 engine.

Pushing 284 horsepower and 259 pound-feet of torque, the Pathfinder delivers smooth, honest power. And to top it all off, CVT is dead. The crisp nine-speed automatic transmission provides confidence-inspiring shifts and a stout 6,000-pound towing capacity standard on our Platinum trim tester.

On the outside, a sharp mid-cycle facelift trades the old chrome look for a gloss-black mesh grille and restyled LED headlights. Draped in two-tone red and black paint, our top-tier Platinum 4WD tester looked exceptionally premium with its new 20-inch machine-finished alloy wheels, satin badges, and power-folding side mirrors.

Inside is Platinum’s best feature. Nissan gutted the outdated screens, replacing them with a nicely apportioned 12.3-inch touchscreen and matching digital dashboard. Our tester paired this with a crisp head-up display, a 13-speaker Bose premium audio system, and a 15-watt MagSafe wireless charger.

Best of all, Nissan retained physical buttons and knobs for the climate and volume controls. It is a massive win for everyday usability. Comfort was excellent, featuring quilted semi-aniline leather seats that are both heated and ventilated. Overhead, a nicely sized panoramic moonroof floods the cabin with natural light. The second-row EZ-FLEX captain’s chairs are a win for parents, tilting forward effortlessly even with a child safety seat installed. The third row remains tight for adults, and the 16.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind it is a little tight for traveling.

With the woes of Nissan and the unforeseen future, the Pathfinder continues to keep motoring on, providing a great value for the consumer while still giving them nice attention to details in the build. Great work, Nissan!

2026 Nissan Pathfinder

MSRP: $51,400

MPG: 20 city / 25 highway / 23.7 As Tested

As Tested: $56,835

©2026 the Boston Herald. Visit the Boston Herald at www.bostonherald.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.