Compare the2025 Genesis GV80VS 2024 Nissan Pathfinder

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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The GV80’s optional pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Pathfinder doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

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.

The GV80 offers an optional Multi-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.

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 and rear 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 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Genesis GV80 is safer than the Nissan Pathfinder:

	GV80	Pathfinder
	Driver
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	24.1%	31%
Neck Stress	157 lbs.	348 lbs.
Neck Compression	25 lbs.	53 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	263	312
Chest Compression	.6 inches	.6 inches
Neck Injury Risk	34%	45.1%
Neck Compression	65 lbs.	93 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH, results indicate that the Genesis GV80 is safer than the Nissan Pathfinder:

	GV80	Pathfinder
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	29	84
Chest Movement	.5 inches	.9 inches
Abdominal Force	101 lbs.	138 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	70	88
Spine Acceleration	26 G’s	33 G’s
Hip Force	458 lbs.	461 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

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 Genesis GV80 is safer than the Pathfinder:

	GV80	Pathfinder
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Structure	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	67	125
Neck Tension	178 lbs.	268 lbs.
Neck Compression	-45 lbs.	22 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	GOOD
Shoulder Deflection	.39 in	.63 in
Torso Max Deflection	.75 in	.94 in
Pelvis	GOOD	MARGINAL
Pelvis Force	669 lbs.	1160 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	49	65
Neck Compression	-22 lbs.	67 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	GOOD
Torso Max Deflection	.67 in	.75 in
Torso Deflection Rate	3 MPH	4 MPH
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

Warranty

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, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Nissan doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Pathfinder.

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates rated the GV80 third among upper midsize premium suvs in their 2024 Initial Quality Study. The Pathfinder isn’t in the top three in its category.

Engine

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):

	GV80	Pathfinder
Zero to 60 MPH	6.4 sec	7.1 sec
Quarter Mile	14.9 sec	15.5 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	94.3 MPH	92.3 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

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 which locks and unlocks with the power locks. 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.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	GV80 2.5T	GV80 3.5T	Pathfinder
Front Rotors	14.2 inches	14.9 inches	13.8 inches
Rear Rotors	14.2 inches	14.2 inches	13 inches

The GV80 stops much shorter than the Pathfinder:

	GV80	Pathfinder
70 to 0 MPH	163 feet	179 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	112 feet	130 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

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.

Suspension and Handling

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.

The GV80’s optional drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The Pathfinder doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

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).

Chassis

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 front grille of the GV80 uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Pathfinder doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

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.

Passenger Space

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

Cargo Capacity

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.

Towing

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

Servicing Ease

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.

Ergonomics

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 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 Prestige/3.5T has standard 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 also offers Qi charging in the second row seat. The Pathfinder doesn’t offer wireless charging in its second row seat.

The GV80 Advanced/Prestige’s Smart Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. 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.

Recommendations

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.

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