Compare the2023 Toyota HighlanderVS 2023 Nissan Pathfinder

The Highlander has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Pathfinder doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Both the Highlander and the Pathfinder have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear 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, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

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 Highlander 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.

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the Highlander for 2 years and 25000 miles. Toyota will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Nissan doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Pathfinder.

There are over 15 percent more Toyota dealers than there are Nissan dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Highlander’s warranty.

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 Highlander’s reliability 66 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 Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota above average in long-term dependability. With 34 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 Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota first in overall reliability. Nissan is ranked 15th.

The Highlander’s 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder produces 51 lbs.-ft. more torque (310 vs. 259) than the Pathfinder’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6. The Highlander’s 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder produces 40 lbs.-ft. more torque (310 vs. 270) than the Pathfinder Rock Creek’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6.

On the EPA test cycle the Highlander gets better mileage than the Pathfinder:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Toyota Highlander uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Pathfinder Rock Creek requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

For better maneuverability, the Highlander’s turning circle is 1.3 feet tighter than the Pathfinder’s (37.4 feet vs. 38.7 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Highlander has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Pathfinder (8 vs. 7.1 inches), allowing the Highlander to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Highlander’s minimum ground clearance is .3 inch higher than on the Pathfinder Rock Creek (8 vs. 7.7 inches).

The Highlander has 3.2 inches more rear legroom and .7 inches more rear hip room than the Pathfinder.

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

The Highlander’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Pathfinder’s (5000 vs. 3500 pounds).

If the windows are left open on the Highlander the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. (This window function must be activated by your Toyota service department.) The driver of the Pathfinder can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Highlander 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 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 Highlander’s headlights were rated “Good” to “Acceptable” by the IIHS, while the Pathfinder’s headlights are rated “Acceptable.”

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Highlander Platinum 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 Highlander’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.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Toyota Highlander, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Nissan Pathfinder isn't recommended.

The Toyota Highlander outsold the Nissan Pathfinder by almost four to one during 2022.