2020 Nissan Pathfinder Pros vs Cons. Should You Buy?

Consumers who are in the market for a vehicle that can seat up to seven people will likely consider the 2020 Nissan Pathfinder. There is a lot to love with this vehicle. Inspecting the Pathfinder deeply may reveal some flaws, but are they of the deal-breaking variety? The following guide summarizes the biggest pros and cons of the Pathfinder, as well as how it looks when it is compared to a similar option.

What's New for 2020?

Drivers will find no significant changes for the 2020 model of the Nissan Pathfinder. This vehicle still feels quite current, partially due to the upgrades made for 2019. These included adding more standard driver assistance and technology features. The Rock Creek Edition package, which first hit the scene last year, continues to be available in 2020.

 

Top 10 Reasons to Buy a 2020 Nissan Pathfinder – The Pros

1. Impressive Towing Capacity

Generally speaking, going with a vehicle that has room for seven people means sacrificing towing capacity. This is not the case with the 2020 Nissan Pathfinder, which can tow up to 6,000 pounds. Consumers will find that this number is considerably higher than the Pathfinder's main competitors. Going with this vehicle means the whole family can go on an adventure and bring along their favorite toys.

2. Comfortable, Plush Cabin

All trim levels of the 2020 Nissan Pathfinder offer drivers and passengers comfort and convenience. Tri-zone automatic climate control is a standard feature. Going with any trim except the entry-level S gives the driver eight-way power-adjustment for their seat as well as lumbar support. The SL trim and higher add power-adjustment for the lumbar feature as well as ten-way adjustment. For these trims, the front passenger gets some adjustment options as well. Heated front seats are standard for the SL trim, and the Platinum gets "climate-controlled front seats," which simply means they are ventilated as well.

3. Fun V6 Engine is Standard

There is only one engine available for the 2020 Nissan Pathfinder. Luckily, it is a good one. The 3.5L direct-injection V6 produces 284-horsepower and 259 lb-ft of torque. It is paired with a continuously variable transmission, which makes the Pathfinder thrilling yet smooth to drive. Plus, based on estimates from the EPA, the Pathfinder has one of the best-in-class fuel efficiency ratings.

4. Available NissanConnect Features

Technology has become a bigger and bigger part of most people's lives. Available NissanConnect helps to link the Pathfinder to the rest of a driver's life. It works with both the Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa to help simplify life. There are several remote features available, such as locking or unlocking the vehicle, flashing the lights, honking the horn, and starting the engine. NissanConnect services can also add emergency preparedness to the Pathfinder with features like emergency call with the touch of a button and automatic collision notification. Also available are advanced roadside assistance features, something that can be very reassuring when hitting the road.

5. Available Rock Creek Package

The Rock Creek package, which debuted just last year, adds some more style to both the inside and outside of the Pathfinder. This package is available on the SL and SV trims. It adds black splash guards, a tow hitch receiver, and specialized badging. Several exterior features become black with this package, such as the grille, door handles, mirror caps, bumper accents, and roof rails. Inside, there is a special two-tone interior scheme that features orange accent stitching to really make things pop. Available for these models are also special crossbars and a technology package.

6. Advanced Drive-Assist Display

Standard on all models is an advanced drive-assist display located in the dash. It is designed to quickly give drivers important information so that they do not need to look away from the road ahead. The display relays information from driver-assist features, such as the available blind-spot monitoring system. It displays the tire pressure level of all four tires, making it easy to know when and where there is a problem. Models equipped with navigation can also have the turn-by-turn directions displayed there. Pathfinders with 4WD will display the exact torque distribution of the vehicle at any given time.

7. Standard Driver Assists are Plentiful

The 2020 Nissan Pathfinder has done very well in safety testing. It has already earned five stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Plus, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has named it a top safety pick. This is partially due to the advanced driver aids found on all models of the Pathfinder. Forward collision warning featuring automatic emergency braking can be found on the entry-level S, for example. Moving up to higher trim levels can add even more, such as blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic, and intelligent cruise control.

8. Available Tri-Zone Entertainment System

The unique tri-zone entertainment system allows passengers to enjoy things together or separately. For those in the front, the BOSE sound system can keep the driver and passenger entertained with music. Second-row passengers will find two 8-inch screens in the back of the front headrests. On these screens, they can play games, watch movies, or even plug-in a compatible smartphone or tablet. Two wireless headphone sets are included in this system. One of the best features is that all the rear screens can both be controlled by the touch-screen display drivers have on the dashboard.

9. EZ Flex Seating for Convenience

Families will find it easy to load up in the 2020 Nissan Pathfinder thanks to features like latch & glide for the second row. Access to the third-row can happen quickly due to how easy it is to both tilt and slide the second row. This works even when the second row has a car seat attached. The second row also has the ability to slide forward and backward up to five inches, making it easy to give legroom where it is needed.

10. Sophisticated Platinum Trim

Drivers want the most luxury possible out of their Nissan Pathfinder will be drawn to the Platinum trim. This vehicle has features that help it rival a luxury SUV. They include the 13-speaker BOSE sound system, a power tilting steering wheel, memory for the steering wheel position, and perforated leather-appointed first and second-row seats. This trim also has stylish wood-trim for the interior. Outside, the Platinum model gets chrome body side moldings and a dual panel panoramic moonroof.

 

Reasons Not to Buy a 2020 Nissan Pathfinder – The Cons

1. Smaller 3rd Row

Although there is a lot of room for adjustment in the Pathfinder, there is no getting around the fact that the third-row is on the cramped side. Plus, the seats ride very low to the ground. The second-row, on the other hand, has generous legroom. At the same time, smaller children will have no issues in the third-row. As a result, many families can still easily and comfortably use the 2020 Nissan Pathfinder.

2. Cargo Space Smaller Than Competitors

Another area that is a bit lacking in the rear of this vehicle is the cargo space. Compared to competitors, it is a bit small. Luckily, both the second and third-rows of seating fold completely flat. Drivers will find they can still haul large objects, just maybe not at the same time as they are hauling passengers.

3. Ride on the Firm Side

Although the engine makes the Pathfinder fun to drive, some may feel the ride is firm. Small bumps on the road sometimes translate into more movement in the cabin than one might expect. How much of an issue this is depends on personal preferences and what a driver is used to.

4. No Smartphone Integration

In 2020, one might expect all vehicles to have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto available, at least, if not standard. They would be wrong, however, because these features are nowhere to be found for the 2020 Nissan Pathfinder. Luckily, Bluetooth is standard and NissanConnect is available. These two features make up for a lot.

How It Stacks Up to the Competition:

There are other vehicles to consider in this segment of the market. The Honda Pilot, for one, has quite a bit going for it. It cannot tow as much as the Pathfinder, however, which may be a deal-breaker for some buyers. Another option is the Ford Explorer. The interior of this vehicle leaves a lot to be desired. At the same time, non-4WD models of the Explorer have rear-wheel rather than front-wheel-drive. Those who deal with winter road conditions will likely do better with a front-wheel-drive vehicle if they decide not to go with a 4WD system. The Toyota Highlander is another popular option. Its standard maximum towing capacity is only 1,500 pounds. The same is true of the Chevrolet Traverse. That is far from impressive, especially when compared to the Pathfinder's 6,000-pound rating.

Conclusion

The 2020 Nissan Pathfinder represents a great combination of many things consumers care about. With a great standard engine, convenient drive-assist display, and standard and available tech features, it will appeal to many families. There are some drawbacks, but not everyone needs a cavernous third-row or cargo area in order to fit their needs. Ultimately, those who need a seven-seater that is both comfortable and capable will be more than satisfied with the 2020 Nissan Pathfinder.