Compare the2022 Nissan PathfinderVS 2021 GMC Acadia

The Nissan Pathfinder has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Acadia doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Pathfinder has standard Rear Automatic Braking that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The Acadia doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The Pathfinder’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Acadia doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Pathfinder and the Acadia have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, front seat center airbag, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available all wheel drive, lane departure warning systems and around view monitors.

The Pathfinder’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Acadia’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Nissan vehicles are more reliable than GMC vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Nissan 21st in reliability. With 15 more problems per 100 vehicles, GMC is ranked 25th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Nissan vehicles are more reliable than GMC vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Nissan 3 places higher in reliability than GMC.

The Pathfinder’s 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 91 more horsepower (284 vs. 193) and 71 lbs.-ft. more torque (259 vs. 188) than the Acadia’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Pathfinder’s 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 56 more horsepower (284 vs. 228) and 1 lbs.-ft. more torque (259 vs. 258) than the Acadia’s optional 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

On the EPA test cycle the Pathfinder gets better fuel mileage than the Acadia:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Nissan Pathfinder uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Acadia with the 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder engine requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

For better stopping power the Pathfinder’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Acadia:

For better traction, the Pathfinder has larger tires than the Acadia (255/60R18 vs. 235/65R18).

The Pathfinder’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Acadia’s standard 65 series tires. The Pathfinder’s optional tires have a lower 50 series profile than the Acadia’s optional 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Pathfinder has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Acadia.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Pathfinder’s wheelbase is 1.7 inches longer than on the Acadia (114.2 inches vs. 112.5 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Pathfinder is 2.4 inches wider in the front and 2.4 inches wider in the rear than on the Acadia.

For better maneuverability, the Pathfinder’s turning circle is .7 feet tighter than the Acadia’s (38 feet vs. 38.7 feet).

The Pathfinder has standard seating for 8 passengers; the Acadia can only carry up to 7.

The Pathfinder has 4.2 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Acadia (148 vs. 143.8).

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Pathfinder’s middle and third row seats recline. The Acadia’s third row seats don’t recline.

The Pathfinder’s cargo area provides more volume than the Acadia.

The Pathfinder’s cargo area is larger than the Acadia’s in almost every dimension:

The Pathfinder has a standard third row seat which folds flat into the floor. This completely clears a very large cargo area quickly. The Acadia doesn’t offer seats that fold into the floor.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Pathfinder. The Acadia doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The Pathfinder’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Acadia’s (3500 vs. 1000 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the GMC Acadia is only 4000 pounds. The Pathfinder offers up to a 6000 lbs. towing capacity.

The Pathfinder’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Acadia’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open them fully. Only its driver’s window closes automatically.

On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Acadia can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Pathfinder has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank. The Acadia doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

The Pathfinder Platinum’s standard wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield. The Acadia’s intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.