Compare the2024 GMC AcadiaVS 2024 Nissan Pathfinder

Both the Acadia and Pathfinder have Rear Cross Traffic Alert, but the Acadia has Rear Cross Traffic Braking (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 Acadia and the Pathfinder have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact 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, available all wheel drive, front parking sensors and driver alert monitors.

The Acadia’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the Pathfinder’s (6 vs. 5 years).

There are over 54 percent more GMC dealers than there are Nissan dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Acadia’s warranty.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Acadia has a standard 170-amp alternator (220-amp - Acadia optional). The Pathfinder’s 150-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that GMC vehicles are better in initial quality than Nissan vehicles. J.D. Power ranks GMC above average in initial quality. With 13 more problems per 100 vehicles, Nissan is rated lower.

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

The Acadia’s 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 44 more horsepower (328 vs. 284) and 67 lbs.-ft. more torque (326 vs. 259) than the Pathfinder’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6. The Acadia’s 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 33 more horsepower (328 vs. 295) and 56 lbs.-ft. more torque (326 vs. 270) than the Pathfinder Rock Creek’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the GMC Acadia uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Pathfinder Rock Creek requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost on average about 82.8 cents more per gallon.

The Acadia FWD’s standard fuel tank has almost a gallon more fuel capacity than the Pathfinder (19.4 vs. 18.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Acadia AWD’s standard fuel tank has 3.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the Pathfinder (21.7 vs. 18.5 gallons).

For better traction, the Acadia Denali’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Pathfinder (275/45R22 vs. 255/60R18).

The Acadia’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 Acadia Denali’s optional tires have a lower 45 series profile than the Pathfinder’s optional 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Acadia Denali offers optional 22-inch wheels. The Pathfinder’s largest wheels are only 20-inches.

The GMC Acadia’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Nissan Pathfinder only has 5 wheel lugs per wheel.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Acadia’s wheelbase is 6.7 inches longer than on the Pathfinder (120.9 inches vs. 114.2 inches).

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

For greater off-road capability the Acadia AT4 has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Pathfinder Rock Creek (7.8 vs. 7.7 inches), allowing the Acadia to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Acadia 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 Acadia has .3 inches more front headroom, .9 inches more front hip room, 1.2 inches more front shoulder room, .4 inches more rear headroom, 6 inches more rear legroom, 2.1 inches more rear hip room, 2.4 inches more rear shoulder room, .4 inches more third row headroom, 4.1 inches more third row legroom and 1.9 inches more third row hip room than the Pathfinder.

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

Pressing a switch automatically lowers the Acadia Denali’s second row seats and pressing a switch 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 Acadia 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 Acadia’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Pathfinder does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The Acadia’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 Acadia’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 Acadia 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.

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

The Acadia’s optional Enhanced Automatic Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Pathfinder doesn’t offer an automated parking system.