The Nissan Pathfinder offers plenty to like, and it delivers a much smoother driving experience, thanks to its now-standard automatic transmission instead of the continuously variable transmission (CVT) it had before. Though it’s available with off-road tech and in a more muscular Rock Creek trim, the Pathfinder doesn’t deliver the same level of off-road capability of competitors like the Toyota 4Runner and Ford Bronco.

What’s New for the 2024 Nissan Pathfinder

Nissan added a new Rock Creek trim in 2023, which brought a lifted suspension and more power, but the automaker is not expected to make any substantive changes for 2024.

Design

The latest Pathfinder features sleek styling with sharp headlights and a unique grille design that varies between trims. The Rock Creek trim’s lift kit and beefy off-road tires give it an aggressive, go-anywhere appearance, but the SUV is otherwise quite docile-looking. Some models are available with two-tone paint, and the rear styling is tasteful and subtle.

Powertrain

The 2024 Pathfinder uses a direct-injection 3.5-liter V6 making 284 horsepower and 259 pound-feet of torque. Rock Creek-equipped Pathfinders get 295 horsepower and 270 pound-feet, and all models get a nine-speed automatic transmission. The Rock Creek also adds a 5/8-inch suspension lift, 18-inch beadlock-look wheels, a 6,000-pound towing capacity, and all-wheel drive (AWD). That towing capacity represents a significant improvement over the standard model, which only delivers 3,500 pounds of towing as standard.

Interior

Cloth upholstery comes standard on the Pathfinder, but most trims get leather. Semi-aniline leather with quilted stitching comes with top trims, and the Rock Creek model gets synthetic leather with stitched logos. Heated front seats are available, along with ventilated front seats and a foldable third-row seat. A heated steering wheel and heated second-row outboard seats are available. Depending on the trim, the Pathfinder offers piano black, gunmetal, or bronze interior accents.

Technology

An 8-inch touchscreen comes standard in the 2024 Pathfinder, along with voice recognition, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, voice texting, auxiliary inputs, and multiple USB ports. Available tech includes a Bose 13-speaker stereo, wireless charging, additional USB ports, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and wireless smartphone mirroring. Nissan’s infotainment isn’t the easiest to use in the business, but it becomes more intuitive with time.

Safety

All Pathfinders come with forward collision warnings, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warnings, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alerts, a rearview camera, rear automatic braking, a driver-alertness monitoring system, and rear parking sensors. The 2023 Pathfinder earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). This includes top marks in the organization’s new side-crash test, which uses more impact force.

Pricing

Pricing for the 2024 Nissan Pathfinder starts at $35,320 for the base S two-wheel-drive model. Prices range up to $50,190 for the top Platinum trim, and the Pathfinder Rock Creek starts at $43,140.