Compare the2022 Nissan PathfinderVS 2021 Toyota 4Runner

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Pathfinder are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The 4Runner doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The Pathfinder Platinum has a standard front seat center airbag, which deploys between the driver and front passenger, protecting them from injuries caused by striking each other in serious side impacts. The 4Runner doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

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 4Runner doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The Pathfinder SL/Platinum has a standard Around View® Monitor to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The 4Runner only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

The Pathfinder’s blind spot warning system uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them and moves the vehicle back into its lane. The 4Runner doesn’t offer a system to reveal objects in the driver’s blind spots.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Pathfinder’s standard cross-path warning system uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The 4Runner doesn’t offer a cross-path warning system.

For better protection of the passenger compartment, the Pathfinder uses safety cell construction with a three-dimensional high-strength frame that surrounds the passenger compartment. It provides extra impact protection and a sturdy mounting location for door hardware and side impact beams. The 4Runner uses a body-on-frame design, which has no frame members above the floor of the vehicle.

Both the Pathfinder and the 4Runner have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive and lane departure warning systems.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2020 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Nissan vehicles are better in initial quality than Toyota vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Nissan 13th in initial quality, above the industry average. With 16 more problems per 100 vehicles, Toyota is ranked 19th, below the industry average.

The Pathfinder’s 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 14 more horsepower (284 vs. 270) than the 4Runner’s 4.0 DOHC V6.

As tested in Car and Driver the Nissan Pathfinder is faster than the Toyota 4Runner:

	Pathfinder	4Runner
Zero to 60 MPH	6.7 sec	7.8 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	17.7 sec	22 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	7.1 sec	7.8 sec
Quarter Mile	15.3 sec	16.1 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	94 MPH	88 MPH
Top Speed	119 MPH	105 MPH

On the EPA test cycle the Pathfinder gets better fuel mileage than the 4Runner:

				MPG
Pathfinder
	2WD		3.5 DOHC V6	21 city/26 hwy
	4WD		3.5 DOHC V6	21 city/26 hwy
			Platinum 3.5 DOHC V6	20 city/25 hwy
4Runner
	2WD		4.0 DOHC V6	16 city/19 hwy
	4WD		4.0 DOHC V6	16 city/19 hwy

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Pathfinder’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. (Start/Stop isn’t accounted in present EPA fuel mileage tests.) The 4Runner doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) certifies the Nissan Pathfinder as an “Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle” (ULEV). The Toyota 4Runner is only certified to “Low Emissions Vehicle” (LEV) standards.

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Nissan Pathfinder, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a five-speed automatic is available for the 4Runner.

For better stopping power the Pathfinder’s brake rotors are larger than those on the 4Runner:

	Pathfinder	4Runner
Front Rotors	13.8 inches	13.3 inches
Rear Rotors	13 inches	12.3 inches

The Pathfinder stops much shorter than the 4Runner:

	Pathfinder	4Runner
70 to 0 MPH	179 feet	201 feet	Car and Driver

For better traction, the Pathfinder has larger tires than the 4Runner (255/60R18 vs. 245/60R20).

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 4Runner’s standard 70 series tires. The Pathfinder’s optional tires have a lower 50 series profile than the 4Runner Limited/Nightshade’s 60 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Pathfinder has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the 4Runner.

The Pathfinder has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The 4Runner doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

For superior ride and handling, the Nissan Pathfinder has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Toyota 4Runner has a solid rear axle, with a non-independent rear suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Pathfinder’s wheelbase is 4.4 inches longer than on the 4Runner (114.2 inches vs. 109.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Pathfinder is 3.3 inches wider in the front and 3.3 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the 4Runner.

The Pathfinder SL handles at .80 G’s, while the 4Runner TRD Off-Road pulls only .71 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

Unibody construction lowers the Pathfinder’s center of gravity significantly without reducing ground clearance. This contributes to better on the road handling and better off-road performance and stability. In addition, unibody construction makes the chassis stiffer, improving handling and reducing squeaks and rattles. The 4Runner uses body-on-frame design instead.

The design of the Nissan Pathfinder amounts to more than styling. The Pathfinder has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .324 Cd. That is significantly lower than the 4Runner (.36) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the Pathfinder get better fuel mileage.

The Pathfinder has standard seating for 8 passengers; the 4Runner can only carry up to 7.

The Pathfinder has 20 cubic feet more passenger volume than the 4Runner (148 vs. 128).

The Pathfinder has 3 inches more front headroom, 2.6 inches more front legroom, 1.8 inches more front hip room, 3 inches more front shoulder room, 1 inch more rear headroom, 2.6 inches more rear legroom, .6 inches more rear hip room, 1.8 inches more rear shoulder room, 3.5 inches more third row headroom, 3.4 inches more third row hip room and .7 inches more third row shoulder room than the 4Runner.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Pathfinder’s middle and third row seats recline. The 4Runner’s third row seats don’t recline.

The Pathfinder’s cargo area provides more volume than the 4Runner.

	Pathfinder	4Runner
Behind Third Seat	16.6 cubic feet	9 cubic feet

The Pathfinder’s cargo area is larger than the 4Runner’s in almost every dimension:

	Pathfinder	4Runner
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	79.8”	42”/66.3”
Max Width	58.5”	57.7”
Height	33.3”	39.5”

The Pathfinder has a standard third row seat which folds flat into the floor. This completely clears a very large cargo area quickly. The 4Runner doesn’t offer seats that fold into the floor.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the Pathfinder (except S) offers an optional power liftgate, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button, or on the Pathfinder Platinum, by just waving your foot, completely leaving your hands free. The 4Runner doesn’t offer a power liftgate.

Maximum trailer towing in the Toyota 4Runner is limited to 5000 pounds. The Pathfinder offers up to a 6000 lbs. towing capacity.

A maintenance reminder system is standard on the Pathfinder to save the owner time and money by calculating maintenance intervals for oil changes based on odometer mileage. This takes the guesswork out of keeping your vehicle in top condition and helps it last longer. Toyota doesn’t offer a maintenance reminder on the 4Runner.

The Pathfinder SV/SL/Platinum has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The 4Runner doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The engine computer on the Pathfinder automatically engages the starter until the car starts with one twist of the key and disables the starter while the engine is running. The 4Runner’s starter can be accidentally engaged while the engine is running, making a grinding noise and possibly damaging the starter and ring gear.

The Pathfinder Platinum’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The 4Runner doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Pathfinder Platinum has a standard heads-up display that projects speed and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The 4Runner doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The Pathfinder’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The 4Runner’s parking brake has to released manually.

The Pathfinder’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The 4Runner’s power mirror and cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

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 4Runner 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 4Runner’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Pathfinder has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the 4Runner only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

The Pathfinder has a standard automatic headlight on/off feature. When the ignition is on, the headlights automatically turn on at dusk and off after dawn. When the ignition turns off, the headlights turn off after a delay timed to allow you to securely get to your front door. The 4Runner has an automatic headlight on/off feature standard only on the Limited/TRD Pro/Nightshade.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the Pathfinder to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The 4Runner doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The Pathfinder’s power mirror controls are mounted on the armrest for easy access. The 4Runner’s power mirror controls are on the dash where they are possibly hidden by the steering wheel and are awkward to manipulate.

When the Pathfinder Platinum is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The 4Runner’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

Both the Pathfinder and the 4Runner offer available heated front seats. The Pathfinder also offers optional heated second row seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated second row seats aren’t available in the 4Runner.

On extremely cold winter days, the Pathfinder SL/Platinum’s standard heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the vehicle heater warms up. The 4Runner doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The Pathfinder has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning is only available on the 4Runner Limited/TRD Pro/Nightshade.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Nissan Pathfinder (except S/SV) offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) for the front seat. The 4Runner doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.