Compare the2025 Ford ExplorerVS 2024 Nissan Pathfinder

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

Safety

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The Explorer has standard Post Collision Braking, which automatically apply 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 Explorer and Pathfinder have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Explorer has 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 Explorer and the Pathfinder have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, 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, available all wheel drive and 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 Ford Explorer is safer than the Nissan Pathfinder:

	Explorer	Pathfinder
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	125	150
Neck Injury Risk	26.3%	31%
Neck Stress	167 lbs.	348 lbs.
Neck Compression	26 lbs.	53 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
Chest Compression	.4 inches	.6 inches
Neck Injury Risk	29.2%	45.1%
Neck Stress	187 lbs.	216 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 and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Ford Explorer is safer than the Nissan Pathfinder:

	Explorer	Pathfinder
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	65	84
Chest Movement	.9 inches	.9 inches
Hip Force	224 lbs.	244 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	86	88
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	12 inches	14 inches

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 Ford Explorer is safer than the Pathfinder:

	Explorer	Pathfinder
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Structure	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	86	125
Neck Tension	223 lbs.	268 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	GOOD
Shoulder Force	134 lbs.	156 lbs.
Torso Deflection Rate	5 MPH	5 MPH
Pelvis	ACCEPTABLE	MARGINAL
Pelvis Force	982 lbs.	1160 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Neck Compression	22 lbs.	67 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	GOOD
Pelvis	GOOD	GOOD
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

Warranty

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

Reliability

The Explorer has a standard “limp home system” to keep drivers from being stranded if most or all of the engine’s coolant is lost. The engine will run on only half of its cylinders at a time, reduce its power and light a warning lamp on the dashboard so the driver can get to a service station for repairs. The Pathfinder doesn’t offer a lost coolant limp home mode, so a coolant leak could strand you or seriously damage the truck’s engine.

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

Engine

The Explorer’s standard 2.3 turbo 4-cylinder produces 16 more horsepower (300 vs. 284) and 51 lbs.-ft. more torque (310 vs. 259) than the Pathfinder’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6. The Explorer’s 2.3 turbo 4-cylinder produces 5 more horsepower (300 vs. 295) and 40 lbs.-ft. more torque (310 vs. 270) than the Pathfinder Rock Creek’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6. The Explorer’s optional 3.0 turbo V6 produces 105 more horsepower (400 vs. 295) and 145 lbs.-ft. more torque (415 vs. 270) than the Pathfinder Rock Creek’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6.

As tested in Motor Trend the Ford Explorer turbo 4 cyl. is faster than the Nissan Pathfinder (base engine):

	Explorer	Pathfinder
Zero to 60 MPH	6.2 sec	7.1 sec
Quarter Mile	14.8 sec	15.5 sec

Fuel Economy and Range

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

			MPG
Explorer
	AWD	2.3 turbo 4-cyl.	20 city/27 hwy
Pathfinder
	AWD	Platinum 3.5 DOHC V6	20 city/25 hwy
		3.5 DOHC V6	20 city/23 hwy

The Explorer V6 Turbo’s standard fuel tank has 1.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the Pathfinder (20.2 vs. 18.5 gallons).

Transmission

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Ford Explorer, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a nine-speed automatic is available for the Pathfinder.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	Explorer ST	Pathfinder
Front Rotors	14.3 inches	13.8 inches
Rear Rotors	13.8 inches	13 inches

The Explorer stops much shorter than the Pathfinder:

	Explorer	Pathfinder
70 to 0 MPH	161 feet	179 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	113 feet	130 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Explorer’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Pathfinder (275/45R21 vs. 255/60R18).

The Explorer’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Pathfinder’s optional 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Explorer offers optional 21-inch wheels. The Pathfinder’s largest wheels are only 20-inches.

Having a flat tire is dangerous, inconvenient and expensive. The self-sealing tires available on the Explorer can automatically seal most punctures up to 3/16 of an inch, effectively preventing most flat tires. The Pathfinder doesn’t offer self-sealing tires.

Suspension and Handling

The Explorer 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 Explorer’s 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 Explorer’s wheelbase is 4.9 inches longer than on the Pathfinder (119.1 inches vs. 114.2 inches).

The Explorer’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (50% to 50%) than the Pathfinder’s (55% to 45%). This gives the Explorer more stable handling and braking.

The Explorer ST 4WD 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 Explorer ST 4WD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2 seconds quicker than the Pathfinder Platinum (26.4 seconds @ .72 average G’s vs. 28.4 seconds @ .59 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the Explorer has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Pathfinder (7.6 vs. 7.1 inches), allowing the Explorer to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Explorer Platinum’s minimum ground clearance is .5 inch higher than on the Pathfinder Rock Creek (8.2 vs. 7.7 inches).

Chassis

The front grille of the Explorer 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.

Passenger Space

The Explorer has 4.9 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Pathfinder (152.9 vs. 148).

The Explorer has .9 inches more front hip room, 1 inch more front shoulder room, .9 inches more rear headroom, 3.5 inches more rear legroom, 2.8 inches more rear hip room, 2.3 inches more rear shoulder room, 1.1 inches more third row headroom and 4.2 inches more third row legroom than the Pathfinder.

Cargo Capacity

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

	Explorer	Pathfinder
Third Seat Folded	46 cubic feet	45 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	85.8 cubic feet	80.5 cubic feet

The Explorer’s cargo area is larger than the Pathfinder’s in every dimension:

	Explorer	Pathfinder
Length to seat (3rd/2nd/1st)	20.8”/49.8”/84.1”	16”/44.4”/79.8”
Min Width	48.1”	45.7”
Height	33.7”	33.3”

Pressing a button automatically lowers or raises the Explorer’s (except Active) optional third row seats, to make changing between cargo and passengers easier. The Pathfinder doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

Towing

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

Servicing Ease

The engine in the Explorer 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

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Explorer’s available exterior PIN entry system. The Pathfinder doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system.

The Explorer’s standard Intelligent Access allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Intelligent Key standard on the Pathfinder doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door. Intelligent Key is not available on the Pathfinder SL/Platinum.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Explorer 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 Explorer’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 Explorer’s optional 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 Explorer (except Active) offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the Pathfinder.

Economic Advantages

The Explorer will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Explorer will retain 49.94% to 56.18% of its original price after five years, while the Pathfinder only retains 47.85% to 49.39%.

Recommendations

The Ford Explorer outsold the Nissan Pathfinder by almost three to one during 2023.

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