Compare the2023 Genesis GV80VS 2023 Nissan Pathfinder

Both the GV80 and Pathfinder have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The GV80 has power child safety locks, allowing the driver to activate and deactivate them from the driver's seat and to know when they're engaged. The Pathfinder’s child locks have to be individually engaged at each rear door with a manual switch. The driver can’t know the status of the locks without opening the doors and checking them.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the GV80. But it costs extra on the Pathfinder.

Both the GV80 and Pathfinder have rear cross-traffic warning, but the GV80 has Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Pathfinder’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the GV80 and the Pathfinder have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, front seat center airbag, 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, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

The GV80 comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes free 24-hour roadside assistance. The Pathfinder’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 2 years or 24,000 miles sooner.

Genesis’ powertrain warranty covers the GV80 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 GV80’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the Pathfinder’s (7 vs. 5 years).

Genesis pays for scheduled maintenance on the GV80 for 3 years and 36,000 miles. Genesis will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Nissan doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Pathfinder.

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 GV80’s reliability 33 points higher than the Pathfinder.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Genesis vehicles are better in initial quality than Nissan vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Genesis fourth in initial quality, above the industry average. With 11 more problems per 100 vehicles, Nissan is ranked 10th.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Genesis vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Genesis fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 50 more problems per 100 vehicles, Nissan is ranked 20th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Genesis vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Genesis 3 places higher in reliability than Nissan.

The GV80 2.5T’s standard 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 16 more horsepower (300 vs. 284) and 52 lbs.-ft. more torque (311 vs. 259) than the Pathfinder’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6. The GV80 2.5T’s 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 5 more horsepower (300 vs. 295) and 41 lbs.-ft. more torque (311 vs. 270) than the Pathfinder Rock Creek’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6. The GV80 3.5T’s standard 3.5 turbo V6 produces 80 more horsepower (375 vs. 295) and 121 lbs.-ft. more torque (391 vs. 270) than the Pathfinder Rock Creek’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6.

As tested in Motor Trend the GV80 2.5T 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder is faster than the Nissan Pathfinder (base engine):

On the EPA test cycle the GV80 2.5T 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder gets better fuel mileage than the Pathfinder Rock Creek 3.5 DOHC V6 (20 city/24 hwy vs. 20 city/23 hwy).

The GV80 has 2.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the Pathfinder (21.1 vs. 18.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The GV80 has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver The fuel filler door is not lockable on the Pathfinder. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

For better stopping power the GV80’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Pathfinder:

The GV80 stops much shorter than the Pathfinder:

For better traction, the GV80 has larger tires than the Pathfinder (265/40R22 vs. 255/60R18).

The GV80’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Pathfinder’s standard 60 series tires. The GV80’s optional tires have a lower 40 series profile than the Pathfinder’s optional 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the GV80 has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Pathfinder. The GV80’s optional 22-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels optional on the Pathfinder.

The GV80 has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The Pathfinder’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The GV80 offers an optional driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The Pathfinder’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The GV80 offers an optional automatic rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The Pathfinder doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the GV80’s wheelbase is 2.1 inches longer than on the Pathfinder (116.3 inches vs. 114.2 inches).

The GV80’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (51% to 49%) than the Pathfinder’s (55% to 45%). This gives the GV80 more stable handling and braking.

The GV80 PRESTIGE handles at .86 G’s, while the Pathfinder SL pulls only .80 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The GV80 PRESTIGE executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.5 seconds quicker than the Pathfinder Platinum (26.9 seconds @ .65 average G’s vs. 28.4 seconds @ .59 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the GV80 has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Pathfinder (8.1 vs. 7.1 inches), allowing the GV80 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The GV80’s minimum ground clearance is .4 inch higher than on the Pathfinder Rock Creek (8.1 vs. 7.7 inches).

The GV80 is 3 inches shorter than the Pathfinder, making the GV80 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces. The GV80 is 4.1 inches shorter than the Pathfinder Rock Creek.

The GV80 Prestige uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Pathfinder doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The GV80 has 3.2 inches more rear legroom and 2.3 inches more third row legroom than the Pathfinder.

The GV80’s cargo area provides more volume than the Pathfinder.

Pressing a button automatically lowers the GV80’s second row seats and pressing a button automatically lowers or raises the third row seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Pathfinder doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

The GV80’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Pathfinder’s (6000 vs. 3500 pounds).

The GV80 uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Pathfinder uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

The engine in the GV80 is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Pathfinder. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because there are no rear spark plugs and the accessory belts are in front.

If the windows are left open on the GV80 the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can also lower the windows the same way. The driver of the Pathfinder can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The GV80’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 GV80’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.

The GV80’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Pathfinder offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The GV80 has standard front air conditioned seats and offers them optionally in the second row. This keeps the passengers comfortable and takes the sting out of hot seats in summer. The Pathfinder doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats for the second row.

The GV80 has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel is only available on the Pathfinder SL/Platinum.

The GV80 offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the Pathfinder.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Genesis GV80 has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the Pathfinder SL/Platinum offers wireless charging.

The GV80’s optional Smart Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Optional Remote Smart Parking Assist will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The Pathfinder doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The GV80 will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the GV80 will retain 47.61% to 48.08% of its original price after five years, while the Pathfinder only retains 43.77% to 45.89%.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the GV80 second among upper midsize premium suvs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The Pathfinder isn’t in the top three.

The GV80 was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2021. The Pathfinder has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.