Used 2018 Nissan Pathfinder SL for sale 

The 2018 Nissan Pathfinder prices range from $30,790 for the base trim, while the top-end Platinum trim retails at $42,320. The powertrain remains the same throughout the range with an optional 4-wheel drive ($1600) available on all trims. What you pay decides the interior appointments and exterior cosmetics. As standard, every Pathfinder comes with an 8-inch touch screen, a rearview camera, a rear-seat reminder, keyless entry, push-button start, cruise control, six speakers, tri-zone climate control, cloth seats, forward collision warning, and 18-inch alloy wheels.

Trims	S	SV	SL	Platinum
MSRP	$32,085	$33,480	$37,500	$42,320
Key Features	3.5-liter Direct Injection Gasoline	Includes S features plus:	Includes SV features plus:	Includes SL features plus:
	Automatic Emergency Braking	Fog lights	Motion Activated Liftgate	20-inch Aluminum alloy wheels
	Tri-Zone Automatic Temperature Control System	Nissan Intelligent Key	Leather-appointed seats and door trim	LED low-beam projector headlights
	EZ FLEX Seating System featuring latch and glide	Remote Engine Start System	Intelligent Cruise Control	13 Speakers Bose Premium Audio System
	SiriusXM Travel Link with 3-year complimentary trial access	Rear Sonar System		Climate-controlled front seats (heated and cooled)

What we recommend

The 2018 Nissan Pathfinder SL trim provides a delightful package with features like power passenger seats, heated front and second-row seats, blind-spot monitoring, and a power liftgate. Available at a price of $37,500, the S trim would offer the most value for money.

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The 2018 Nissan Pathfinder gets only one engine and transmission option, a 3.5-liter V6 engine that is mated to a CVT, which develops 284 horsepower and 259 pounds-feet of torque. Although some of its competitors might be downsizing in terms of engine capacities, the Pathfinder hasn’t followed the suit yet. The engine comes with no oomph factor and is meant to get the job done. The workhorse nature of the engine is evident as soon as you tap the throttle pedal.

While the Nissan Pathfinder remains quite silent at low rpm, as the revs increase, so does the harshness and noise. The CVT unit offers adequate shifting prowess but feels lethargic as soon as more than expected is asked from it. Therefore the combination of a large naturally aspirated engine and a CVT gearbox provides sufficient power for day-to-day driving, which includes merging with freeway traffic and overtaking.

Models	Nissan Pathfinder	Ford Explorer	Honda Pilot	Mazda CX-9
MSRP	$32,085	$32,140	$30,900	$32,130
Engine	3.5L, Naturally Aspirated V6	3.5L, Naturally Aspirated V6	3.5L, Naturally Aspirated V6	2.5L, Turbocharged Inline-4
Transmission	CVT Automatic	6-Speed Automatic	9-Speed Automatic	6-Speed Automatic
Power	284 hp @ 6,400 rpm	290 hp @ 6,500 rpm	280 hp @ 6,000 rpm	227 hp @ 5000 rpm
Torque	259 ft-lb @ 4,800 rpm	255 ft-lb @ 4,000 rpm	262 ft-lb @ 4,700 rpm	310 ft-lb @ 2000 rpm

The 2018 Honda Pilot is the least expensive SUV in this comparison, while the rest have similar pricing. The Ford Explorer is the most powerful with 290 hp, while the Mazda CX-9 has the maximum torque owing to its turbocharged engine. But the Mazda lacks in terms of power output.

What is the 2018 Nissan Pathfinder's 0-60 mph Acceleration Performance?

The Nissan Pathfinder's engine is pretty smooth and refined and does perform well if not pushed really hard as the CVT gearbox then starts to show its rubberband effect. Going full house also slows down its performance and it is simply not meant to burn rubber. While it can munch miles all day long, going fast is not its thing.

The 2018 Nissan Pathfinder reaches 0-60 mph in 7.6 seconds, while the quarter-mile distance is covered in 15.9 seconds. This is not the quickest in this comparison, but the highlight of this engine would be the top speed of 141 mph, which is one of the best in the segment.

Models	Nissan Pathfinder	Ford Explorer	Honda Pilot	Mazda CX 9
0-60 mph	7.6 seconds	7.7 sec	7.0 sec	7.4 sec
Quarter mile	15.9 sec	16.0 sec	15.4 sec	15.9 sec
Engine	3.5L, Naturally Aspirated V6	3.5L, Naturally Aspirated V6	3.5L, Naturally Aspirated V6	2.5L, Turbocharged Inline-4
Top Speed	141	134	130	113

The Nissan Pathfinder is one of the slowest among the competitors we compared, while the Ford Explorer is the slowest form 0-60 mph acceleration. The Honda Pilot is the fastest with 0-60 mph reached in 7.0 seconds, while the Mazda CX-9 takes 7.4 seconds to reach the 60 mph mark from a standstill.

How is the 2018 Nissan Pathfinder's Braking Performance?

The 2018 Nissan Pathfinder Pathfinder does not have an exceptionally large set of brakes nor are they too small as such. The 12.6-inch front disc brakes and 12.1-inch rear brake rotors do well to halt the 4,300 lbs SUV from 60 mph in a solid 125 feet.

The braking performance of the Nissan Pathfinder is not the best in this comparison, as most of the rivals take less distance to decelerate from 60-0 mph. But the 125 feet braking distance is quite respectable considering the size and weight of this SUV. 

Model	Nissan Pathfinder	Ford Explorer	Honda Pilot	Mazda CX 9
Brakes Front (in)	12.6	12.8	12.6	12.6
Brakes Rear (in)	12.1	12.8	13.0	12.8
Curb weight (lbs)	4,293	4,453	4,284	4,361
60-0 mph (ft)	125	127	120	123

The Honda Pilot is again the car that shines the most in the comparison as it is not only the lightest SUV here but also has the shortest stopping distance of 120 feet. The Mazda CX-9 takes 3 feet more than the Pilot, which is followed by the Pathfinder while the Ford Explorer again performs poorly in this aspect as well.

Has the Ride and Handling of the 2018 Nissan Pathfinder improved?

The 2018 Nissan Pathfinder SUV rides with composure and it absorbs most bumps and road undulations quite well. However, in 2017, Nissan stiffened the springs for increased body control and that has compromised the ride quality a bit. This shortcoming is especially pronounced in the 2018 Nissan Pathfinder Platinum with 20-inch wheels, and it is better to stick with the standard rim size for optimum comfort. The steering also remains quite light and does not offer a lot of confidence at high speeds. It offers little to no feedback.

Also, don’t have high expectations of being able to take this SUV off-road as it isn’t as capable as its forebears. The Pathfinder can trail through muddy trails, backroads, and gravel with ease, but in case you want a bit more adventure from your family SUV, it is better to look otherways as this is not meant for it even with the optional all-wheel-drive setup.

What is the Payload and Towing Capacity of the 2018 Nissan Pathfinder?

With its naturally aspirated V6 motor shows its grunt in this aspect as the 2018 Nissan Pathfinder towing capacity is roughly 6,000 lbs even with the front-wheel-drive powertrain. Owing to the same powertrain across the lineup, even the base Pathfinder S can tow the same. 

Model	Nissan Pathfinder	Ford Explorer	Honda Pilot	Mazda CX 9
Engine	3.5L, Naturally Aspirated V6	3.5L, Naturally Aspirated V6	3.5L, Naturally Aspirated V6	2.5L, Turbocharged Inline-4
Powertrain	FWD	FWD	FWD	FWD
Towing Capacity (lbs)	6,000	5,000	5,000	3,500

At 6,000 pounds, the Nissan Pathfinder's towing capacity is the highest among competitors here. Most of the other competitors can tow 5,000 pounds with the 2018 Mazda CX-9 towing capacity of 3,500 lbs.

The Nissan Pathfinder more than makes up for its lackluster acceleration with its stellar fuel economy. It is rated by the EPA for 19 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway for a combined EPA rating of 21 mpg. With a large 19.5-gallon gas tank available with the Pathfinder, the driving range is great with over 5,00 miles of highway cruising before the Pathfinder needs a pit stop. 

Model	Nissan Pathfinder	Ford Explorer	Honda Pilot	Mazda CX 9
MPG (City)	19	17	19	20
MPG (Highway)	26	24	26	26
MPG (Combined)	21	20	22	23
Fuel Tank Capacity (gal)	19.5	18.6	19.5	19.5
Range (City / Highway / Combined) (miles)	371 / 507 / 410	316 / 446 / 372	371 / 507 / 429	390 / 507 / 449

The 2018 Ford Explorer provides the least economy here, however, its 2.3L EcoBoost is more efficient. We think for this class of vehicles, an ideal engine is the one that delivers excellent fuel economy while delivering effortless performance. The 2018 Mazda CX-9 provides the best-combined mpg of 23, thanks to its turbocharged unit under the hood, while the Pilot lacks marginally in this aspect. 

The Nissan Pathfinder interior is spacious and the cabin is well built with good quality materials. It can accommodate up to seven people and the seats provide good support while the driving position is natural. It's not exactly commanding as the SUV gets a car-like unibody construction, but the outward visibility is great. The front seats offer one of the best legroom, but the hip and shoulder room is average among the competition. Its second row is also spacious and offers great comfort for those long journeys.

However, the third row really impressed us as it turns out to be useful even for adults. Although the overall design feels a bit aged compared to the competitors, the material quality is top-notch. Except for the fake wood accents, everything is well put together. Amenities like a heated steering wheel and heated and cooled front seats add to the "feel-good" factor. A Tri-zone climate control system is also available with the Pathfinder. 

Model	Nissan Pathfinder	Ford Explorer	Honda Pilot	Mazda CX-9
Passenger capacity	7	7	8	7
Front row (Head / Shoulder / Leg) (in)	41.1 / 60.9 / 42.2	41.4 / 61.5 / 42.9	39.5 / 62.0 / 40.9	39.3 / 57.9 / 41.0
Second row (Head / Shoulder / Leg) (in)	38.5 / 60.4 / 41.7	40.6 / 61.0 / 39.5	39.9 / 62.0 / 38.4	38.5 / 58.1 / 39.4
Third row (Head / Shoulder / Leg) (in)	36.5 / 57.1 / 30.7	37.8 / 50.8 / 32.0	38.9 / 57.6 / 31.9	35.4 / 53.1 / 29.7

The Honda Pilot is the only one that is rated to seat 8 passengers, while all others can seat a maximum of up to 7 passengers. The Honda Pilot interior still has the best third row of seats while Nissan has the best front and middle row of seats in terms of space. The 2018 Mazda CX-9 interior design is one of the best in this comparison. Some important features include-

• 8-way power-adjustable driver's seat
• 4-way power-adjustable front passenger seat
• Front Heated & Cooled Bucket Leather Seats
• 60-40 Folding EZ Flex Split-Bench Rear Seat 
• Heated Manual Reclining rear seats
• Power adjustable Tilt/Telescoping Steering Column
• Heated Leather Steering Wheel with Auto Tilt-Away

What is the Cargo Capacity of the 2018 Nissan Pathfinder?

The Pathfinder offers a generous amount of cargo space in all seat configurations. In fact, even with all seats upright, you get 16 cu-ft of cargo space. This is almost as much as a midsize sedan’s trunk which stands high on the practicality factor. Fold the third row of seats, and we have up to 47 cu-ft. of cargo capacity.

If we need even more space, folding down the middle row of seats offers us a massive 78.9 cu-ft of cargo space. Just behind the third row, the Ford Explorer offers the best cargo capacity of 21 cu.ft. The Mazda CX 9 is the most compact SUV on the inside and hence has the least luggage carrying capacity in this comparison.

Model	Nissan Pathfinder	Ford Explorer	Honda Pilot	Mazda CX 9
With all seats upright (cu-ft)	Exterior 6.9/10 The Nissan Pathfinder exterior design had lost almost all its previous ruggedness in its third generation. Nissan realized this and now the latest generation Nissan Pathfinder gets a bit more muscle. No, it's not intimidating - lots of subtle curves, calm-looking headlights, and friendly-looking front grille will not scare away your kids. The low ground clearance with aerodynamic extensions behind the wheels makes its family intentions clear. Thus it fails to stand out in the ocean of crossovers available in the market today. It gets a respectable ground clearance of 7 inches, but the Nissan Pathfinder is not the best off-road performer. Model Nissan Pathfinder Ford Explorer Honda Pilot Mazda CX-9 Curb Weight (lbs) 4,293 4,453 4,284 4,361 Length (in) 198.5 198.3 194.5 199.4 Width (in) 77.3 78.9 66.3 77.5 Height (in) 69.5 70.0 69.8 69.0 Ground Clearance (in) 7.0 8.3 7.3 8.8 Wheelbase (in) 114.2 112.8 111 115.3 Track Width (in) F/R 65.7 / 65.7 67.0 / 67.0 66.3 / 66.3 65.3 / 65.2 The Nissan Pathfinder is has a curb weight of 4293 pounds, while the Honda Pilot is the lightest one at 4284 pounds. The Honda Pilot exterior dimensions are the smallest while the Mazda with its cramped cabin is the longest car here. The Mazda CX-9 also offers a maximum ground clearance of 8.8 inches and thus performs better off-road. Following Mazda in ground clearance is Ford with 8.3 inches.  Safety 9.3/10 <p>80.7</p> </td> <td> The highlight of the active safety features in the 2018 Nissan Pathfinder is the fact that Automatic Emergency Braking is standard across all trims. With that, higher trims get things like blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert. The SUV has a whole host of passive safety features including dual-stage airbags and side-impact beams. The NHTSA has given it a 5-star crash test rating that speaks volumes about its crash safety credibility. The standard safety features list is pretty decent, and some of them are listed below.  Side Impact Beams Driveline Traction Control and Electronic Stability Control (ESC) Low Tire Pressure Warning Rear Parking Aid Automatic Emergency Braking Forward Collision A host of Airbags for almost all passengers with Airbag Occupancy Sensor Blind Spot Monitor with Cross-Traffic Alert RearView Monitor Back-Up Camera Competition 7.0/10 Nissan Pathfinder vs Ford Explorer The 2018 Ford Explorer has a range of engine options - from a small Inline-4 EcoBoost to the most powerful in segment 3.5L EcoBoost. It gets handsome styling and a spacious, comfortable interior to go with it. The cabin is loaded with modern tech features. However, the Ford Explorer costs more than the Pathfinder for similarly equipped trim, and it doesn’t even match up with the Pathfinder’s performance. Nissan Pathfinder vs Honda Pilot The 2018 Honda Pilot is one of the most well-rounded midsize SUVs with well-equipped, spacious seats (even the third row) and high-quality materials. An efficient and powerful engine pulls the Pilot briskly along the road. On top of that, the Pilot comes with Honda's reputation for reliability, is slightly cheaper, and has great resale value too. However, the Nissan Pathfinder is every bit as practical and has an air of toughness. Nissan Pathfinder vs Mazda CX-9 The 2018 Mazda CX-9 continues Mazda's reputation for offering engaging and entertaining driving characteristics. The handsome exterior will blow you to pieces. The gorgeous interior will blow the pieces left of you into smaller pieces and the fuel economy is exceptional too. However, it rides a bit on the harsher side, while the Nissan Pathfinder is a more practical choice with its roomy interiors, superior performance, and great ride quality. Final Verdict The Nissan Pathfinder has long moved away from its off-roader roots and has embraced civil life rather well. The interior is spacious and comfortable, has most of the modern electrical assistance, and nice to have features, while the infotainment is crisp. However, millennials will be disappointed as Pathfinder lacks Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The Nissan comes with a powertrain option that's effective in doing what it's ought to do, that is transport your family and luggage effortlessly and efficiently. The Honda Pilot offers the toughest competition and is also slightly cheaper. All-in-all, if you want a well-rounded family SUV with Japanese reliability, the 2018 Nissan Pathfinder should definitely be on your shortlist.    Read more + × Saved Cars View All Saved Cars × × ×