Nissan Pathfinder vs Porsche Cayenne

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne presented itself as a versatile SUV, available in both a standard SUV form with a squared-off rear end and a sporty Cayenne Coupe. The GTS trim level, which was the focus of the review, featured high gloss black trim and bronze exhaust tips, with a unique front fascia that included larger air intakes and tinted headlights. The 21-inch wheels in anthracite gray and red brake calipers added to its sporty appearance. Inside, the Cayenne offered extensive customization options, from color choices to trim and seat belts, though these could significantly increase the price. The cabin was well-organized, with mechanical controls for essential features and a shifter toggle mounted on the dashboard for additional storage space.

The 2026 Nissan Pathfinder combined smooth and chunky design elements, with a restyled front bumper and faux vertical air intakes. The grille featured a thin chrome line intersecting the Nissan badge, and the rear design was simplified by removing vertical creases. New wheel designs and a Baltic Teal paint color were among the few exterior changes. Inside, the Pathfinder saw more noticeable updates, including a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen and a redesigned dashboard. The steering wheel adopted a polygonal shape, and the center console armrest lost its previous accents. The interior was simple yet modern, with good materials for the price, and the semi-aniline leather on the Platinum trim added a touch of luxury.

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne offered a range of engines, all capable of impressive performance. The base model featured a 3.0-liter V6 engine with 348 horsepower and 368 pound-feet of torque. For those seeking more power, the Cayenne S provided a V8 with 468 hp, while the Turbo GT boasted 650 hp, though only available as a coupe. The GTS trim, with its twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8, delivered 493 hp and 486 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed transmission and all-wheel drive. The Cayenne GTS could accelerate to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds, with a top speed of 171 mph. The GTS trim struck a balance between sporty and comfortable, with precise steering and an agile feel despite its weight. Optional carbon ceramic brakes provided ample stopping power, and the vehicle transformed into a comfortable commuter in Normal mode.

The 2026 Nissan Pathfinder retained its naturally-aspirated 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 284 horsepower and 259 pound-feet of torque, or 295 hp and 270 lb-ft in the Rock Creek trim with premium fuel. The Pathfinder's nine-speed automatic transmission resulted in a leisurely acceleration, and the engine sounded labored. The vehicle's performance was comparable to other V6-powered competitors, but it lacked the option for turbocharging or hybrid powertrains. Fuel economy was estimated at 21 mpg city, 27 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined for most trims, with slightly lower figures for the Rock Creek. The Rock Creek trim, tested during a media evaluation, was not recommended due to its loud all-terrain tires and lack of off-road enhancements. The Pathfinder's suspension was soft, leading to more body lean and detracting from its steering precision.

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne offered a la carte features, with the base model including eight-way power-adjustable seats, two-zone climate control, and ambient lighting. Higher trims like the GTS added a GT Sport steering wheel and Race-Tex headliner. The options list was extensive, allowing for customization of interior materials and features. However, the Cayenne only accommodated five passengers, with no third-row seating option. The standard Cayenne provided 27.3 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to over 60 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The coupe version offered slightly less space, and plug-in hybrid models had reduced cargo capacity.

The 2026 Nissan Pathfinder featured "Latch and Glide" second-row seats, making it family-friendly. It offered generous headroom and legroom in the first and second rows, while the third row was tight for taller passengers. The Pathfinder could seat seven or eight passengers, depending on the trim, with optional captain's chairs on upper trims. Cargo space measured 16.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 45 cubic feet behind the second row, and 80.5 cubic feet with both rows folded. A roof rack and power liftgate were standard on most trims, with the Platinum offering motion activation and position memory. Visibility was good, and analog controls made daily driving easy.

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne featured a curved 12.6-inch digital gauge cluster and a 12.3-inch touchscreen display with the Porsche Communication Management system. It included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Spotify, Apple Music, satellite radio, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. An optional 10.9-inch passenger screen allowed for navigation and media control. The screens were well-organized and responsive, with voice control options. A head-up display provided driver information, though it appeared dim with polarized sunglasses. The Cayenne also offered night-vision assist and four high-speed USB-C charging ports, along with a cooled wireless charging area.

The 2026 Nissan Pathfinder came with a 12.3-inch touchscreen featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though factory navigation was no longer offered. The system was user-friendly and responsive, with SiriusXM satellite radio and NissanConnect remote services. Upper trims introduced Qi2 wireless device chargers and advanced camera views like Invisible Hood View and Front Wide View. The SL trim gained a digital instrument panel, while the Platinum offered a head-up display and a 13-speaker Bose audio system. Lower trims had a 7-inch color center display with analog gauges.

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne included standard safety features like parking sensors, forward collision warning, and blind-spot monitoring. However, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and lane-departure warning were optional. Porsche's InnoDrive adaptive cruise control system was not tested, and the Cayenne lacked hands-off driving assist features. Neither the NHTSA nor the IIHS had rated the 2025 Cayenne for safety.

The 2026 Nissan Pathfinder offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, including second-row side-impact airbags, curtain airbags for all rows, and front knee airbags. The Platinum trim added a front-center side airbag. Standard driver aids included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and lane departure warning. Higher trims featured active lane-keeping and blind-spot assists, traffic sign recognition, and ProPilot Assist. The Pathfinder earned five stars from the NHTSA, with four stars in the frontal crash test, and received "Good" ratings in IIHS tests.