Compare the2026 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEVVS 2026 Nissan Pathfinder

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, Full-Time Four-Wheel Drive is standard on the Outlander PHEV. But it costs extra on the Pathfinder.

Both the Outlander PHEV and the Pathfinder have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, front seat center airbag, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

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

Mitsubishi’s powertrain warranty covers the Outlander PHEV 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 Outlander PHEV’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the Pathfinder’s (7 vs. 5 years).

Mitsubishi pays for scheduled maintenance on the Outlander PHEV for 2 years and 30,000 miles. Mitsubishi will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance (up to 3 visits). Nissan doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Pathfinder.

The Outlander PHEV’s 2.4 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 13 more horsepower (297 vs. 284) than the Pathfinder’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6. The Outlander PHEV’s 2.4 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 2 more horsepower (297 vs. 295) than the Pathfinder Rock Creek’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6.

On the EPA test cycle the Outlander PHEV running on electricity gets better mileage than the Pathfinder:

On the EPA test cycle the Outlander PHEV running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the Pathfinder:

The Outlander PHEV can travel with zero emissions for 44 miles. The Pathfinder can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

Regenerative brakes improve the Outlander PHEV’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Pathfinder doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Pathfinder Rock Creek requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The Outlander PHEV has a standard locking fuel door and a locking charge port with a power remote release convenient to the driver and which locks and unlocks with the power locks, respectively. The Pathfinder doesn’t offer a locking fuel filler door. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank and a locking charge port prevents tampering and damage.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV higher (6 out of 10) than the Nissan Pathfinder (4). This means the Outlander PHEV produces up to 12.1 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Pathfinder every 15,000 miles.

The Outlander PHEV stops shorter than the Pathfinder:

The Outlander PHEV SE/SEL’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Pathfinder Platinum’s 50 series tires.

The Outlander PHEV 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 Outlander PHEV’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (52% to 48%) than the Pathfinder’s (54.6% to 45.4%). This gives the Outlander PHEV more stable handling and braking.

The Outlander PHEV SEL Premium handles at .85 G’s, while the Pathfinder SL pulls only .80 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the Outlander PHEV’s turning circle is 1.3 feet tighter than the Pathfinder’s (36.1 feet vs. 37.4 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Outlander PHEV ES has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Pathfinder (7.8 vs. 7.1 inches), allowing the Outlander PHEV to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Outlander PHEV SE/SEL’s minimum ground clearance is .2 inch higher than on the Pathfinder Rock Creek (7.9 vs. 7.7 inches).

The Outlander PHEV is 11.9 inches shorter than the Pathfinder, making the Outlander PHEV easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The front grille of the Outlander PHEV 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.

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the Outlander PHEV’s second row seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Pathfinder doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the Pathfinder Platinum, the Outlander PHEV SEL has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

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 Outlander PHEV’s headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the Pathfinder’s headlights are rated “Acceptable.”

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The Outlander PHEV has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The Pathfinder doesn’t offer headlight washers.

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

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV and the Nissan Pathfinder, based on reliability, safety and performance.