Compare the2023 Nissan PathfinderVS 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander

Both the Pathfinder and the Outlander 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, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The Nissan Pathfinder weighs 514 to 1032 pounds more than the Mitsubishi Outlander. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

For its performance in IIHS driver-side and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, updated side impact, headlight, daytime pedestrian crash prevention, and nighttime pedestrian crash prevention testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Pathfinder its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2023, a rating granted to only 29 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Outlander has not been fully tested, yet.

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

There are over 3 times as many Nissan dealers as there are Mitsubishi dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Pathfinder’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Nissan vehicles are better in initial quality than Mitsubishi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Nissan above average in initial quality. With 59 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mitsubishi is rated below average.

The Pathfinder’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 103 more horsepower (284 vs. 181) and 78 lbs.-ft. more torque (259 vs. 181) than the Outlander’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Pathfinder Rock Creek’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 114 more horsepower (295 vs. 181) and 89 lbs.-ft. more torque (270 vs. 181) than the Outlander’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Nissan Pathfinder (base engine) is faster than the Mitsubishi Outlander:

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. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Outlander doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The Pathfinder has 4 gallons more fuel capacity than the Outlander (18.5 vs. 14.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

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

The Pathfinder has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Outlander; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

The Pathfinder has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Outlander doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Pathfinder’s wheelbase is 7.7 inches longer than on the Outlander (114.2 inches vs. 106.5 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Pathfinder is 4.1 inches wider in the front and 3.7 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Outlander.

For excellent aerodynamics, the Pathfinder has standard flush composite headlights. The Outlander has recessed headlights that spoil its aerodynamic shape and create extra drag.

The Pathfinder has standard seating for 8 passengers; the Outlander can only carry 7.

The Pathfinder has 22.5 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Outlander (148 vs. 125.5).

The Pathfinder has 1.7 inches more front headroom, 2.6 inches more front legroom, 4.3 inches more front hip room, 2.9 inches more front shoulder room, .5 inches more rear headroom, 3 inches more rear hip room, 3.7 inches more rear shoulder room, 3.3 inches more third row headroom, 9.3 inches more third row legroom, 4.6 inches more third row hip room and 7.2 inches more third row shoulder room than the Outlander.

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

The Pathfinder has a standard third row seat which folds flat into the floor. This completely clears a very large cargo area quickly. The Outlander 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 Outlander doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The Pathfinder’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Outlander’s (3500 vs. 2000 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Mitsubishi Outlander is only 2000 pounds. The Pathfinder offers up to a 6000 lbs. towing capacity.

The power windows standard on both the Pathfinder and the Outlander have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Pathfinder is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The Outlander prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

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 Outlander’s standard passenger windows don’t open or close automatically.

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

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 Outlander’s power window, power lock and power mirror switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Pathfinder Platinum keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Outlander doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The Pathfinder Platinum has a 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Outlander doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

Insurance will cost less for the Pathfinder owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Pathfinder will cost $1645 less than the Outlander over a five-year period.

The Nissan Pathfinder outsold the Mitsubishi Outlander by 35% during 2022.