What To Know
- In contrast, the Pathfinder has a more refined and elegant look, with a sleek profile and flowing curves.
- The Explorer offers a larger touchscreen display, a more powerful audio system, and a more comprehensive suite of driver-assistance features than the Pathfinder.
- The Explorer has the edge in terms of power, features, and cargo space, while the Pathfinder offers a more refined interior and a more efficient hybrid powertrain.
The Ford Explorer and Nissan Pathfinder are two of the most popular SUVs on the market today. Both offer a spacious interior, plenty of features, and impressive performance. But which one is the better choice? In this comprehensive comparison, we’ll put the Ford Explorer and Nissan Pathfinder head-to-head to determine which SUV is the superior choice for your needs.
Design and Styling:
The Ford Explorer and Nissan Pathfinder offer distinct design philosophies. The Explorer features a bold and rugged exterior, with a muscular stance and sharp lines. In contrast, the Pathfinder has a more refined and elegant look, with a sleek profile and flowing curves.
Inside, the Explorer boasts a modern and well-equipped cabin, with high-quality materials and intuitive controls. The Pathfinder’s interior is equally impressive, with a spacious and comfortable layout, as well as advanced technology features.
Performance and Efficiency:
The Ford Explorer and Nissan Pathfinder offer a range of powertrain options to suit different driving needs. The Explorer comes standard with a 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 300 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. It can also be equipped with a more potent 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 engine that generates 400 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque.
The Pathfinder, on the other hand, comes standard with a 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 284 horsepower and 259 lb-ft of torque. It can also be equipped with a hybrid powertrain that combines a 3.5-liter V6 engine with an electric motor, producing a combined 270 horsepower and 250 lb-ft of torque.
In terms of fuel efficiency, the Explorer and Pathfinder are comparable. The Explorer achieves an EPA-estimated 21 mpg city/28 mpg highway with the four-cylinder engine and 18 mpg city/24 mpg highway with the V6 engine. The Pathfinder gets an EPA-estimated 20 mpg city/27 mpg highway with the V6 engine and 23 mpg city/29 mpg highway with the hybrid powertrain.
Features and Technology:
The Ford Explorer and Nissan Pathfinder offer a wide array of features and technology to enhance your driving experience. Both SUVs come standard with a touchscreen infotainment system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, and a suite of driver-assistance features.
The Explorer offers a larger touchscreen display, a more powerful audio system, and a more comprehensive suite of driver-assistance features than the Pathfinder. However, the Pathfinder offers a few unique features, such as a hands-free liftgate and a motion-activated rear liftgate.
Cargo Space and Seating:
The Ford Explorer and Nissan Pathfinder offer ample cargo space and seating for up to seven passengers. The Explorer has a maximum cargo capacity of 87.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down, while the Pathfinder has a maximum cargo capacity of 79.5 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down.
Both SUVs offer comfortable seating for up to seven passengers, with plenty of headroom and legroom in all three rows. The Explorer offers slightly more legroom in the third row than the Pathfinder.
Safety and Reliability:
The Ford Explorer and Nissan Pathfinder have both received high safety ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Both SUVs come standard with a suite of driver-assistance features, including automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring.
In terms of reliability, the Explorer and Pathfinder have comparable records. Both SUVs have received average reliability ratings from J.D. Power and Associates.
Price and Value:
The Ford Explorer and Nissan Pathfinder are priced similarly. The Explorer starts at $36,675, while the Pathfinder starts at $34,980. Both SUVs offer a range of trim levels and options, so the final price will vary depending on your specific needs and preferences.
The Verdict:
The Ford Explorer and Nissan Pathfinder are both excellent SUVs that offer a spacious interior, plenty of features, and impressive performance. The Explorer has the edge in terms of power, features, and cargo space, while the Pathfinder offers a more refined interior and a more efficient hybrid powertrain. Ultimately, the best choice for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences.
Frequently Discussed Topics
1. Which SUV has better fuel efficiency, the Ford Explorer or Nissan Pathfinder?
The Nissan Pathfinder has slightly better fuel efficiency than the Ford Explorer. The Pathfinder gets an EPA-estimated 23 mpg city/29 mpg highway with the hybrid powertrain, while the Explorer gets an EPA-estimated 21 mpg city/28 mpg highway with the four-cylinder engine.
2. Which SUV has more cargo space, the Ford Explorer or Nissan Pathfinder?
The Ford Explorer has more cargo space than the Nissan Pathfinder. The Explorer has a maximum cargo capacity of 87.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down, while the Pathfinder has a maximum cargo capacity of 79.5 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down.
3. Which SUV has a better safety rating, the Ford Explorer or Nissan Pathfinder?
The Ford Explorer and Nissan Pathfinder have both received high safety ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Both SUVs come standard with a suite of driver-assistance features, including automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring.
4. Which SUV has a more powerful engine, the Ford Explorer or Nissan Pathfinder?
The Ford Explorer has a more powerful engine than the Nissan Pathfinder. The Explorer comes standard with a 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 300 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. It can also be equipped with a more potent 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 engine that generates 400 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque. The Pathfinder, on the other hand, comes standard with a 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 284 horsepower and 259 lb-ft of torque.
5. Which SUV has a more comfortable interior, the Ford Explorer or Nissan Pathfinder?
The Nissan Pathfinder has a more comfortable interior than the Ford Explorer. The Pathfinder offers a more refined interior with higher-quality materials and a more spacious layout. The Explorer’s interior is still comfortable, but it feels less luxurious than the Pathfinder’s.