Nissan Pathfinder

The Nissan Pathfinder is a midsize three-row SUV that we've long praised for its spacious cabin and strong towing figures. Outside of those attributes, however, the previous-generation Pathfinder struggled to make an impact amid a competitive set of rivals that include the Honda Pilot and Kia Telluride. Aiming to

Compared to the 2020 Pathfinder (there's no 2021 model), the new Pathfinder has more muscular and upright styling, a new nine-speed automatic transmission, retuned steering, additional interior storage and new technology features. We're also pleased that Nissan revised the Pathfinder's suspension tuning for 2022. The previous model's ride quality, in particular, could be overly choppy.

Especially in the area of technology, the Pathfinder has grown up quite a bit. It's quieter, more comfortable and better to drive than before. It's worth checking out if you're shopping for a family-friendly three-row SUV, but know that you can get more driving pizzazz from a Honda Pilot or a Kia Telluride or more interior space from a Chevrolet Traverse or a Volkswagen Atlas. Check out our Expert Rating below to get our full analysis of the redesign Pathfinder.

Which Pathfinder does MatoCar recommend?

While the base S trim comes with a decent number of features, we suggest going with the midlevel SV trim. It adds features including heated seats and adaptive cruise control. It's also available with more optional features.

The 2022 Nissan Pathfinder is available in four trim levels: S, SV, SL and Platinum. All four use a 3.5-liter V6 engine (284 horsepower, 259 lb-ft of torque) paired to a nine-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive is optional. The S, SV and SL trims come with seating for eight. Second-row captain's chairs are available on the SV and SL and standard on the Platinum.

S Standard features on the Pathfinder S include:

18-inch wheels
LED headlights
Proximity keyless entry with push-button start
Three-zone automatic climate control
8-inch touchscreen display
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration

Every Pathfinder also comes with:

Blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while in reverse)
Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
Rear automatic braking (brakes if sensors detect an imminent collision with an object behind the vehicle)
Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane)

SV Building on the S trim, the SV adds:

Remote start
Heated exterior mirrors
Heated front seats
Leather-wrapped steering wheel
Power-adjustable driver's seat
Adaptive cruise control (adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance between the Pathfinder and the car in front)
Lane keeping assist (steers the Pathfinder back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker)

The optional SV Premium package includes:

Panoramic sunroof
Power liftgate
Tow-prep kit with 6,000-pound capacity
Second-row captain's chairs with removable center console

SL The SL includes all SV features and adds:

Power liftgate
Leather upholstery
Heated steering wheel
Second-row manual sunshades
9-inch touchscreen display
Integrated navigation
Additional USB ports
Surround-view camera (gives you a top-down view of the Pathfinder and its surroundings for tight parking situations)

There's an optional SL Premium Package available on this trim. It includes:

Panoramic sunroof
20-inch wheels
Tow-prep kit with 6,000-pound capacity
Second-row captain's chairs with removable center console
Heated rear seats
13-speaker Bose audio system
Wireless smartphone charging pad

Platinum The Pathfinder Platinum sits atop the lineup. Besides the features included on the SL model, the Platinum includes:

Standard SL Premium package features
Upgraded leather upholstery
Ambient interior lighting
Power-folding mirrors
Power-adjustable steering wheel
Hands-free liftgate
Digital instrument cluster
Household-style power outlet
Additional USB ports
Head-up display (displays important information in your sight line on the windshield)