Compare the2023 Mazda CX-9VS 2023 Nissan Pathfinder

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the CX-9. But it costs extra on the Pathfinder.

Both the CX-9 and the Pathfinder have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available around view monitors and driver alert monitors.

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Mazda CX-9 is safer than the Pathfinder:

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 front crash prevention system, and its headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the CX-9 its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2019, a rating granted to only 134 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Pathfinder is only a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2019.

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 CX-9’s reliability 52 points higher than the Pathfinder.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Mazda above average in long-term dependability. With 13 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Nissan is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Mazda fourth in overall reliability. Nissan is ranked 15th.

The CX-9’s 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 61 lbs.-ft. more torque (320 vs. 259) than the Pathfinder’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6. The CX-9’s 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 50 lbs.-ft. more torque (320 vs. 270) than the Pathfinder Rock Creek’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6.

On the EPA test cycle the CX-9 gets better mileage than the Pathfinder:

The CX-9 has a gallon more fuel capacity than the Pathfinder (19.5 vs. 18.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The CX-9 stops shorter than the Pathfinder:

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the CX-9’s wheelbase is 1.1 inches longer than on the Pathfinder (115.3 inches vs. 114.2 inches).

The CX-9 Signature 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 CX-9 Signature executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.7 seconds quicker than the Pathfinder Platinum (26.7 seconds @ .65 average G’s vs. 28.4 seconds @ .59 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the CX-9 has a 1.7 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Pathfinder (8.8 vs. 7.1 inches), allowing the CX-9 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The CX-9’s minimum ground clearance is 1.1 inches higher than on the Pathfinder Rock Creek (8.8 vs. 7.7 inches).

The CX-9 has 3.9 inches more rear legroom, 1.1 inches more rear hip room and 1.7 inches more third row legroom than the Pathfinder.

The front step up height for the CX-9 is 1.5 inches lower than the Pathfinder (18.3” vs. 19.8”). The CX-9’s rear step up height is 1 inches lower than the Pathfinder’s (18.8” vs. 19.8”).

The CX-9 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 Pathfinder doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

The CX-9’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Pathfinder’s standard intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The CX-9’s headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the Pathfinder’s headlights are rated “Acceptable.”

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the CX-9 Carbon Edition/Grand Touring/Signature has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Pathfinder doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The CX-9’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Nissan only offers heated mirrors on the Pathfinder SV/Rock Creek/SL/Platinum.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Mazda CX-9 has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the Pathfinder SL/Platinum offers wireless charging.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Mazda CX-9, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Nissan Pathfinder isn't recommended.