Compare the2022 Mitsubishi OutlanderVS 2022 Nissan Pathfinder

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

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Outlander its highest rating: “Top Pick Plus” for 2021, a rating granted to only 74 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Pathfinder has not been tested, yet.

The Outlander comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Pathfinder’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 2 years or 24,000 miles sooner.

Mitsubishi’s powertrain warranty covers the Outlander 5 years and 40,000 miles longer than Nissan covers the Pathfinder. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the Pathfinder ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The Outlander’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the Pathfinder’s (7 vs. 5 years).

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Outlander’s reliability 20 points higher than the Pathfinder.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Mitsubishi vehicles are better in initial quality than Nissan vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Mitsubishi third in initial quality, above the industry average. With 2 more problems per 100 vehicles, Nissan is ranked fifth.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Mitsubishi vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Mitsubishi 13th in reliability, above the industry average. With 12 more problems per 100 vehicles, Nissan is ranked 21st.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Mitsubishi Outlander higher (6 to 7 out of 10) than the Nissan Pathfinder (5). This means the Outlander produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Pathfinder every 15,000 miles.

The Outlander has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Pathfinder doesn’t offer a CVT.

The Outlander stops much shorter than the Pathfinder:

The Outlander’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Pathfinder’s optional 50 series tires.

The Outlander SEL AWC handles at .85 G’s, while the Pathfinder SL pulls only .80 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Outlander SEL AWC executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1 seconds quicker than the Pathfinder Platinum (27.4 seconds @ .61 average G’s vs. 28.4 seconds @ .59 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Outlander’s turning circle is 1.9 feet tighter than the Pathfinder’s (36.1 feet vs. 38 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Outlander ES has a 1.3 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Pathfinder (8.3 vs. 7 inches), allowing the Outlander to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Outlander SE/SEL’s minimum ground clearance is 1.4 inches higher than on the Pathfinder (8.4 vs. 7 inches).

The Mitsubishi Outlander may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 700 to 800 pounds less than the Nissan Pathfinder.

The Outlander is 1 foot shorter than the Pathfinder, making the Outlander easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The front grille of the Outlander uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Pathfinder doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the Outlander’s second row seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Pathfinder doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The Outlander S-AWC has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The Pathfinder doesn’t offer headlight washers.