The 2026 Nissan Pathfinder gets a significant refresh that includes design and tech upgrades but no new powertrain. A part of the fifth generation, last redesigned for 2022, this new Pathfinder targets families with an active lifestyle. Primary competitors for this midsize three-row SUV include the Chevrolet Traverse, Ford Explorer, Honda Pilot, Hyundai Palisade, Kia Telluride, and Toyota Highlander. The 2026 Pathfinder will have the same six trims as the 2025 model: S, SV, Rock Creek, SL, and Platinum.
2026 Nissan Pathfinder Pricing, Specs, and Release Date
- What’s New for the 2026 Nissan Pathfinder
- Design
- Powertrain
- Interior
- Technology
- Safety
- Pricing and Release Date
- Further Research
What’s New for the 2026 Nissan Pathfinder
Though this is not a next-gen vehicle, the 2026 Nissan Pathfinder does get some significant updates and upgrades. The most obvious change will be to the front and rear fasciae–including the bold new grille. We also see a larger standard infotainment screen, standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, elevated interior materials and accents, a revised wireless phone charger with a cooling pad, and a new Baltic Teal exterior paint option.
Design
Though its basic profile remains the same as the previous model year's, the 2026 Nissan Pathfinder sees some notable changes to the grille, including a new stacked daytime running light (DRL) signature that mimics what we see on the Kicks and Murano. The SL and Platinum trims switch from silver to black roof rails, and the Rock Creek trim returns with a lifted ride height, off-road-tuned suspension, and all-terrain tires. Standard wheels are 18-inches, with 20-inch wheels available on the SL trim and standard on the Platinum trim. At the time of this writing, it does not appear that there are any appearance packages available for 2026.
Powertrain
While there was rampant speculation that the 2026 Nissan Pathfinder would get an alternate powertrain, perhaps even a hybrid, this did not come to pass. Instead, the refreshed midsize SUV keeps its 3.5-liter V6 engine. It delivers 284 horsepower and 259 pound-feet of torque in all but the Rock Creek trim, which is tuned to deliver 295 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque. This engine is mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive (FWD) is standard, with intelligent four-wheel drive (4WD) available. The 4WD-only Rock Creek off-road trim gets 7.7 inches of ground clearance and has approach and departure angles of 18.8 degrees and 22.8 degrees, respectively. The Pathfinder has a standard towing capacity of 3,500 pounds, but the Rock Creek and Platinum trims upgrade that to 6,000 pounds. Opting for the SV and SL Premium packages also increases towing capacity to 6,000 pounds. The FWD models will get an EPA-estimated 20 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway, while 4WD fuel economy varies by trim. Most models will get 21 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway. The Rock Creek and Platinum 4WD trims both get 20 mpg in the city, but Rock Creek gets 23 mpg on the highway, while Platinum gets 25 mpg.
Interior
The 2026 Nissan Pathfinder has standard seating for eight passengers in all trims with a second-row bench seat, but second-row captain’s chairs are optional on Rock Creek, SL, and Platinum trims. Cloth seats are standard on the base two trims, but leatherette seating surfaces become standard on Rock Creek and SL trims, with leather standard on the top-tier Platinum model. The Platinum trim also boasts new seat quilting patterns and wood-tone accents. Max cargo capacity with second and third rows folded flat is 80.5 cubic feet, but you’ll see 45.0 cubic feet behind the second row and 16.6 cubic-feet behind the third row. Though the base S model doesn’t get a moonroof option, a panoramic moonroof is available starting on the SV trim.
Technology
There are two notable tech changes for the 2026 Nissan Pathfinder. First, a 12.3-inch touch screen is now standard for the infotainment system. Second, the wireless charger has a maximum power delivery of 15 watts and is redesigned to include a cooling fan and magnetic positioning to keep your phone in place while charging. Outside of that, other technology features we see in the 2026 Pathfinder include a 12.3-inch digital cluster starting on the SL trim, standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, an upgraded HD Intelligent Around View Monitor with wide front views and an Invisible Hood View, an available 13-speaker Bose premium audio system, up to five USB-C charge ports, tri-zone climate control, a 5G Wi-Fi hotspot, and an available head-up display.
Safety
The Nissan Safety Shield 360 suite of advanced driver-assistance systems is standard on all trims of the 2026 Pathfinder. This includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, automatic high beams, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic reverse braking. Available on SV trims and higher, you’ll also see ProPilot Assist, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot intervention, and intelligent lane intervention. Traffic-sign recognition is available starting on the SL trim. The 2026 Pathfinder gets an overall 5-Star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and though the 2026 model hasn’t yet been tested by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) at the time of this writing, the 2025 model received a Top Safety Pick+ Award with Good ratings in all crash tests.
Pricing and Release Date
Nissan expects the 2026 Pathfinder to hit dealerships in early 2026, which could be any time from January to June. At the time of this writing, Nissan hasn’t released pricing information for the refreshed model, and execs have said pricing will be available closer to the on-sale date. For reference, the base S trim for 2025 starts at $37,895, including destination fees, and the Platinum trim tops out at $50,135. While we do anticipate some slight price increases, we expect the 2026 Pathfinder to start at less than $40,000.
