Used 2020 Nissan Pathfinder SL for sale 

The 2020 Nissan Pathfinder uses a single powertrain across its four trim levels: S, SV, SL, and Platinum. All trim share V-6 engine mated with a continuously variable transmission. This seven-seater SUV comes standard with front-wheel-drive with an option to upgrade to an all-wheel version for $1,690.

Starting at $31,680, Pathfinder S includes adequate standard convenience and safety features and moving up the ladder adds a mix of features for added comfort and safety. Moving up to midrange SV, you can add Rock creek Edition package for $995 and can also opt for a Technology package for $980 for a navigation system, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and heated side mirrors.

SL and Platinum go plush with the inclusion of genuine leather upholstery, heated front- and second-row seats, a heated steering wheel, a power-adjustable front passenger seat, a hands-free power liftgate, and LED headlights. For luxurious drive, Platinum features a ventilated front seat, 20-inch alloy wheels, and a tow hitch.

What do we recommend?

Nissan Pathfinder is a seven-seater SUV with a clear demarcation of goals biased towards stability and comfort rather than performance and handling. The midrange Pathfinder SV will be a good starting point for a family. It includes popular features like blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control.

With 2020 Pathfinder, a seven-seater SUV, Nissan seems to be targeting a family’s daily driving needs with exquisite comfort. The 2020 Pathfinder is solely motivated by a 284-hp 3.5-liter V-6 engine mated with a continuously variable transmission. The V-6 engine in itself is punchy and energetic. But in Pathfinder, the power will neither burst you out nor will it result in a blinding drive, just enough to carry you, your family and a whole lot of your junk around with ease.

The CVT automatic transmission comes with a clear purpose, quiet and efficient ride. The CVT is smooth and shifts quickly to fit the daily driving chronicles. However, as you push the pedal, driving up the hill, the engine starts droning and the transmission responds with a delay and takes away all the fun from driving.

Among the lot, Nissan Pathfinder is no way powerful but aptly can be adjudged as a daily commuter. Saying that, please don’t undermine your need for occasional driving thrill or rush, the additional power might come in handy. Ford has outdone itself yet again, by producing the segment best power figures from a mere 2.3L Inline-4 engine.

Acceleration

The Pathfinder has a punchy and energetic V6 under the hood. With brisk speeding, the Pathfinder is composed but when put under constant stress the mill saturates with coarse engine notes, surely something which may irk not only the ones driving the car but also the ones who are driving next to the Pathfinder.

On the highway, the merging and passing power are adequate but pushing the limits is not an option with this Nissan. The engine surely is devised to meet the likes of suburban or city driving details. The CVT is obedient and disciplined but tends to sway away from its character when Pathfinder is asked for something it is not meant for.

The SUV marathon will find the 2020 Pathfinder somewhere lagging behind but a sprint might see this Nissan scoring well. However, for a straight-line adrenaline rush or off-roading needs, opt for anything other than Nissan Pathfinder. The available all-wheel-drive offers better traction and acceleration as well, in case you want to stick with Nissan.

Ride and Handling

Decent driving dynamics of Nissan Pathfinder offers a stable, and composed drive. Mind the words, because the drive may be stable but not subtle. The light-weight steering and body lean are Pathfinder’s constants, make it feel bigger than it actually is. The Nissan Pathfinder sits atop a four-wheel independent suspension combining front struts and rear multilink. The ride can be jittery through rough terrain or occasional bumps otherwise Pathfinder is mostly plush and quiet.

Composure and stability come ahead of ability and speed for this Nissan. With just 7-inches of ground clearance, the 2020 Pathfinder can drive you through loose gravel trails but not anything of the rough or beaten terrain.

Available four-wheel-drive adds all-weather traction and comes with a flexibility of being locked by the driver in front-drive only, automatic, and all-wheel-drive modes. Though, we would prefer an all-automatic setup which requires less or no attention.

Braking Performance

The family SUV, Nissan Pathfinder comes alive when it comes to sports performance, especially when it comes to braking. This Nissan comes to rest from 60 mph in just 124 ft, exemplary isn’t it? In comparison to its rivals, Nissan Pathfinder stands tall with strong braking performance with reliable feedback. Another downside is the nosedive with the slightest of braking.

The 2020 Nissan Pathfinders is equipped with four-wheel ABS which produces a screeching sound during panic stops. The bigger summer tires, traction is improved and supports aggressive braking. The Ford Explorer turns out to be a true performer with astounding braking performance.

Towing Capacity

The Nissan Pathfinder with its V-6 showcases an exceptional towing capacity of 6000 lbs, 1000 lbs more than its rivals, provided it is properly equipped. That’s quite good by class standards.

The $995 Rock Creek Edition package includes a special tow package which adds a Tow hitch receiver with 7-pin wiring harness along with special wheels to maximize the towing ability of the 2020 Pathfinder.

Also Read

How reliable is the Ford Explorer?

Click here to read an in-depth account of the safety features offered in the 2020 Nissan Pathfinder

The Nissan Pathfinder is competent and holds an upper hand, thanks to an efficient V-6. This three-row SUV manages a respectable fuel economy considering the curb weight and the fact that it is the slowest among its adversaries. The 2020 Pathfinder in all-wheel-drive configuration manages 19 mpg city, 26 highway, 22 combined.

The front-wheel-drive Pathfinders showcases a better appetite with slightly better EPA ratings. The top trim, Pathfinder Platinum is the only all-wheel-drive placed with bigger wheels and is rated separately: 19/26/21 mpg (city/highway/combined).

Among the competitors, Kia Telluride is rated at 21 mpg combined with all-wheel-drive whereas the Honda Pilot all-wheel-drive with 6-speed automatic manages 21 mpg combined while with 9-speed automatic transmission it manages 22 mpg combined.

The Nissan Pathfinder has evolved with the right dominant gene and that is comfort. The first and second-row are exceptionally accommodating with seats adequately padded to fit any body-type and sit up-high for great outward visibility. The second-row is easily accessible and slide fore and aft for better third-row accessibility as well. Hoping for captain’s chair in the second-row, Nissan disappoints by skipping any mention of it while other rivals bank upon the same. However, the second-row reclines for a comfortable long journey though at an expense of third-row.

The third-row is strictly meant for children with just 30-inches of legroom. Nissan has traded-off with affordability and roomier SUV’s which are pricier options. The quality of material in the Pathfinder suits the class. Moving up the ladder to SL and Platinum models makes Leather upholstery standard. Also, the available Rock Creek edition adds special black & orange color combo with special badging.

Nissan makes use of its infinite knowledge of ergonomics while building 2020 Pathfinder. Although, the third-row features relatively higher load floor, imagine third-row riders sitting with knees up to the chest, even with short legs.

Infotainment

Talking of technology, specifically modern. The 2020 Nissan Pathfinder needs to understand the exact semantics. Across all Pathfinders, an 8-inch touchscreen for infotainment with Bluetooth and USB connectivity comes standard. Android Auto and Apple Carplay integration are being missed, we hope Nissan just skipped and not skimped it. Also, the touchscreen graphics look outdated.

The SL and Platinum add standard Navigation but we would advise using Google maps, Apple maps or any third-party application for a better response and accuracy. For Entertainment, all Pathfinders offers AM/FM/CD audio system with six-speaker stereo along with SiriusXM satellite radio. For audiophiles, the Platinum adds Bose Premium audio system with 13 speakers, including acoustic waveguide technology and DVD playback system.

Key Infotainment Features

• 6 USB ports and Auxillary Audio Jack
• DVD Video playback capability
• Illuminated steering wheel-mounted audio controls
• Bose premium audio system with 13 speakers
• AM/FM/CD audio system
• SiriusXM satellite radio
• HD Radio
• Nissan-Connect 8” touchscreen display

Cargo Capacity

Overall, Nissan Pathfinder is not as capacious as others in the segment. The Pathfinder carries the least number of carry-on suitcases with just 16 cubic feet of cargo volume behind the third row. The cargo expands to 47 cubic feet with the third row folded, competitive now.

The 2020 Nissan Pathfinder shows versatility with more than enough cargo configurations, thanks to easy-folding second- and third-row seats. The easy expansion of cargo area when necessary is a plus point. On the downside is the uneven load floor when all the seats are down, which makes the sliding in/out longer items a task, a tough one.

From our comparison, the 2020 Ford Explorer and Kia Telluride with a total cargo capacity of almost 87 cubic-feet, behind the 1st row is exceptional.

Key Interior Features

• Push Button Ignition
• Remote Keyless Entry
• Remote Engine Start
• Tri-zone automatic temperature control
• Intermittent Rear Window Wiper
• Tilt/Telescoping Steering Column
• 8 Cup holders and 6 Bottle holders

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Do the prices for the Pathfinder vary with respect to different states?

To put it straight, the 2020 Pathfinder is a bread and butter family crossover. The rounded exterior remains handsome, somewhat similar to Honda Pilot. The tougher or boxier image of Kia Telluride or Ford Explorer might urge many to buy one. Pathfinder’s large windshield enables great outward visibility.

2020 welcomes a Rock Creek edition that aims to add a rugged character with a black grille, roof rails, door handles and other aesthetics. To finish things off, the Pathfinder hasn't changed much in the looks department in the past few years. It's a purebred family SUV which may be affordable but at the end of the day not very interesting to look at.

Key Exterior Features

• LED DRLs
• Intelligent Auto Headlights
• Fog Lamps
• Roof Rails
• Body-color rear spoiler
• Gesture-control liftgate
• Front UV-reducing solar glass and Rear privacy glass
• Dual panel panoramic moonroof

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How has the Pathfinder performed on the sales front?

The 2020 Nissan Pathfinder holds impressive safety scores to its credibility. NHTSA gave overall five stars to Pathfinder for crashworthiness, but that includes a star-less for front and rollover crash safety. The other federal agency, IIHS is yet to crash-test 2020 Pathfinder but for curious ones, Nisan Pathfinder was Top Safety pick for 2019.

The standard safety and driver assistance features across all Pathfinder trims include automatic emergency braking, tire pressure monitoring system, rear-view camera, parking sensors, airbags, LATCH, and front and rear crumple zones. The other advanced active safety features like blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and rear cross-traffic alerts come standard on SV and higher trims. While SL and Platinum exclusively feature surround-view camera system.

Key Safety Features

• Electronic Brake Force Distribution(EBD)
• Rear Parking Sensors
• Forward Collision Warning
• Automatic Emergency Warning
• Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
• Blind-Spot monitoring
• Vehicle Dynamic Control with traction Control
• LATCH system
• Front seat belts with Pretensioners
• Side Impact, Front and Curtain Airbags with Rollover sensor

Also Read

How highly is the Pathfinder being scored by the NHTSA on the safety front?

Does the Pathfinder's reliability live up to Honda's standards?

Nissan Pathfinder Vs Honda Pilot

The Pathfinder shares a lot of common traits with Pilot. Both the SUVs offer comparable engine power, fuel economy and are priced similarly. The Pathfinder tops the charts with 6000 pounds of towing capacity, 1000 lbs more than Pilot. Rest all other presumptions are easily met by the Pilot with Pathfinder trailing behind. The Honda offers a superior ride quality and includes more standard safety features. Further, the inclusion of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto makes Pilot the first choice.

Nissan Pathfinder Vs Ford Explorer

The Ford Explorer costs almost $5000 ahead of Nissan Pathfinder but what it brings forward to the plate will definitely be to your delight. The inclusion of the latest technology with a long list of standard safety features than the Pathfinder makes it an appealing choice. Though the Explorer isn’t perfect, it offers multiple choices in powertrain ranging from raw power to efficient hybrid. Also, the Explorer is a better off-roader and can switch to a comfortable ride than Pathfinder.

Nissan Pathfinder Vs Kia Telluride

The Kia Telluride seems to be Nissan's twin with equivalent engine performance, pricing, and fuel economy. Though, Kia offers better third-row seating and room than the Pathfinder. Also, the ground clearance of Kia Telluride is an inch higher, making it a better drive through rugged terrain. The 2020 Kia Telluride is a plush ride with lots of standard tech and safety features. Clearly, Kia Telluride reasonably wins the mark to be the better choice when compared with the Nissan Pathfinder.

Nissan gives you a pretty good value for money, at least in terms of features and interior ergonomics. Although the dated interior is a drawback, Nissan Pathfinder checks many boxes with an efficient and peppy V-6 engine supporting a composed ride. Also, the inclusion of safety features for the price seems justified. Newer technology could allow Nissan Pathfinder to make a better impact and will promote it up the competitive segment.