For 2026, the Nissan Pathfinder gets a thorough refresh that keeps it one of the most attainable three-row family SUVs on the U.S. market, with an MSRP starting at 37,500 dollars for the base S 2WD model. The update brings sharper styling and meaningful tech upgrades while retaining the proven 3.5‑liter V6 and seven‑ or eight‑passenger seating layout.
Pricing and trim strategy
The 2026 Pathfinder lineup starts at 37,500 dollars for the S 2WD before destination, with a delivered price just under 39,000 dollars once the mandatory freight charge is added. Above the base model, Nissan offers a broad ladder of trims, topping out with the Platinum 4WD that reaches the low‑50,000‑dollar range yet still undercuts many rival three‑row SUVs by several thousand dollars when similarly equipped.
Sharper design, more presence
Nissan’s refresh focuses heavily on the Pathfinder’s face, with a more assertive front fascia, revised bumper design, and a bolder take on the brand’s V‑motion grille that give the SUV a squarer, more truck‑inspired stance. At the rear, updated lighting signatures and a recontoured bumper help visually widen the vehicle, while upper trims like the Platinum add new 20‑inch alloy wheels and upscale exterior details to push the Pathfinder closer to near‑luxury territory.
Cabin and tech: big screens made standard
Inside, the most noticeable change is that a 12.3‑inch center touchscreen is now standard across the lineup, bringing crisper graphics along with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims add a 12.3‑inch fully digital gauge cluster and available head‑up display, yet Nissan wisely retains physical knobs and buttons for core climate and audio functions so everyday operation stays familiar and frustration‑free.
Powertrain: proven V6, familiar driving manners
Under the hood, the Pathfinder sticks with its naturally aspirated 3.5‑liter V6, delivering around 284 horsepower and 259 pound‑feet of torque, paired to a nine‑speed automatic transmission. Front‑wheel drive is standard, with available all‑wheel drive and seven‑ or eight‑passenger seating configurations, giving shoppers a straightforward, conventional alternative to the turbocharged fours and hybrids that dominate this segment.
Safety and driver assistance
Every 2026 Pathfinder comes standard with the Nissan Safety Shield 360 suite, including automatic emergency braking, lane‑departure warning, blind‑spot monitoring, and rear cross‑traffic alert. SV and higher trims add ProPILOT Assist and adaptive cruise control, while models like Rock Creek, SL, and Platinum offer a surround‑view camera system with an off‑road‑friendly “transparent hood” style view that makes it easier to place the vehicle in tight parking lots or on light trails.
