A three-row SUV can be an excellent choice for families who need more passenger space without moving up to a full-size vehicle. The Toyota Highlander and Nissan Pathfinder are both popular options, offering comfortable accommodations, modern technology, and enough versatility for everything from school transportation to family vacations. However, there are some important differences in performance, efficiency, and standard equipment that make the Toyota Highlander a particularly appealing option. Here's a quick look at how the Highlander compares to the Pathfinder in a few key areas.
Toyota Highlander vs. Nissan Pathfinder: Performance
The Toyota Highlander's standard 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine produces 265 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. The Nissan Pathfinder has a naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6 generating 284 horsepower and 259 pound-feet of torque. While Nissan has a slight horsepower edge, the Highlander has the advantage in torque by 51 pound-feet.
Another distinction is traction. The Highlander comes standard with all-wheel drive, including an advanced Dynamic Torque Vectoring AWD system on select trims. The Pathfinder offers all-wheel drive as an option, but most trims come standard with front-wheel drive.
Either way, both SUVs have enough power for commuting through Fort Worth or merging onto highways around Euless. However, the Highlander also offers a hybrid powertrain, which brings us to another notable advantage.
Which SUV Gets Better Gas Mileage?
The Toyota Highlander Hybrid achieves an EPA-estimated 35 mpg combined, while the gas-powered version has an EPA rating of 24 mpg combined. Even with standard all-wheel drive, both Highlander variants exceed the Nissan Pathfinder's most efficient configuration, which has a front-wheel-drive EPA-estimated rating of 23 mpg combined. The Pathfinder also doesn't offer a hybrid option.
Passenger Comfort and Cargo Space
Both vehicles have three rows and can seat up to seven or eight passengers, depending on whether you need a bench or captain's chairs in the second row. However, the Toyota Highlander provides more second-row legroom, measuring 38.7 inches compared with 35.5 inches in the Nissan Pathfinder. That extra space can be especially welcome when older children or adults regularly ride in the middle row.
The Highlander also comes out ahead in cargo capacity. With the third row folded, Toyota provides 48.4 cubic feet of storage, compared with 45 cubic feet in the Pathfinder. Folding both rear rows expands those figures to 84.3 and 80.5 cubic feet, respectively. The advantages are slight but could make a difference when it comes to fitting that last piece of luggage.
Standard Features and Interior Amenities
One of the strongest points for the Toyota Highlander is how much equipment comes standard. Every Highlander includes heated, power-adjustable front driver and passenger seats, a power moonroof, and a hands-free power liftgate. The Pathfinder requires moving beyond its entry-level trim for heated seats and a power driver's seat, while its power-adjustable front passenger seat and hands-free liftgate are limited to the top-tier Platinum trim.
The Highlander comes standard with SofTex® leatherette upholstery, giving the cabin a more upscale appearance than the cloth seating found in the lower Pathfinder tiers. Haslet and Keller families will also appreciate the Driver Easy Speak system that's available in the Highlander. This system allows the driver to more easily communicate with rear passengers without needing to raise their voice. The Pathfinder doesn't have a comparable feature.
Toyota Safety Sense vs. Nissan Driver Assistance
Both SUVs offer a wide range of advanced driver-assistance systems, including base-trim technologies like forward collision mitigation, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane-departure warning. However, the Toyota Highlander also comes standard with Dynamic Radar Cruise Control and a lane-keeping system. These are welcome benefits for drivers who regularly encounter traffic along Airport Freeway or other busy routes, and they require a higher trim level in the Nissan Pathfinder.
Which Three-Row SUV Should You Choose?
The Nissan Pathfinder offers a powerful V6 and competitive passenger accommodations. However, the Toyota Highlander has several advantages that may matter more to families, including standard AWD, better EPA-estimated fuel economy, generous second-row legroom, a larger cargo area, and more extensive standard equipment. It's also the clear choice if you're interested in a hybrid for your Watauga drives.
Explore the Toyota Highlander at Freeman Toyota
Reach out to Freeman Toyota for more information about the latest Toyota SUVs, including their available configuration options and financing opportunities. If you'd like a closer look at the current models in our new Toyota inventory, we welcome you to visit us for a test drive. We'll be happy to show you around.
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