Toyota Highlander Vs. Nissan Pathfinder

 

If you’re looking for a full-size SUV to take you around the San Diego, Pacific Beach, or El Cajon areas, you may be trying to decide between popular models like the Toyota Highlander and Nissan Pathfinder.

At Norm Reeves Toyota San Diego, we think that either vehicle would be a great fit for local drivers, but we wanted to compare the Highlander vs. Pathfinder to find out which one offers more of what drivers in our area need.

Check out our comparison here and then contact us to learn more.

Toyota Highlander vs Nissan Pathfinder Safety Features

As local drivers ourselves, we know how important it is to stay safe while traveling around the area. That’s why we like that both the Highlander and Pathfinder offer smart safety features that can help you be more aware of your surroundings.

For example, both SUVs have an available blind spot warning system that provides a visual alert if another vehicle enters your side blind spots. This can help you merge or change lanes much more safely when driving in well-traveled areas.

In addition to this available system, the Toyota Highlander has the standard Toyota Safety Sense™ P (TSS-P) suite of safety technologies. This includes systems like:

  • Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection
  • Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist
  • Automatic High Beams
  • Dynamic Radar Cruise Control

One of our favorite features in this suite is the Lane Departure Alert system with Steering Assist. This monitors roadway markings and provides an audible warning if you veer from your intended lane of travel. Steering Assist can then kick in to help bring you back in line.

The Nissan Pathfinder, unfortunately, doesn’t offer a comparable feature.

Engine Specs for the Toyota Highlander and Nissan Pathfinder

We really wanted to look under the hood for our Toyota Highlander vs. Nissan Pathfinder comparison, and what we found is that they have a fairly similar powertrain. Both vehicles have a 3.5L V6 engine that can get an EPA-estimated fuel economy of up to 27 MPG on the highway when equipped with front-wheel drive (FWD). 1

Speaking of which, both the Highlander and Pathfinder let you choose between FWD for maximum fuel efficiency or all-wheel drive (AWD)/4-wheel drive (4WD), for optimal multi-terrain handling capabilities.

One big difference, however, is that the 3.5L V6 engine in the Pathfinder gets 284 horsepower and 259 lb-ft of torque. This is still impressive, but the same engine in the Highlander gets 295 horsepower and 263 lb-ft of torque.

If you’re looking for a higher power output, the Highlander may be the way to go.

Highlander and Pathfinder Interior Dimensions

As full-size SUVs, you can expect a spacious interior whether you’re driving the Toyota Highlander or Nissan Pathfinder. Both SUVs can seat a standard of seven passengers (the Highlander has the option to accommodate eight passengers) and have three rows of seats.

They both have a 60/40-split feature, as well, which allows you to maximize space between passengers and cargo.

If you have a lot of cargo to bring along, you can completely fold down the second- and third-row seats in either vehicle. For the Pathfinder, this will open up a total cargo volume of 79.5 cubic feet. The Highlander can bring along a bit more cargo, with a total volume of 83.7 cubic feet.

Toyota Highlander vs Nissan Pathfinder: Take a Test Drive

After comparing the Toyota Highlander vs. Nissan Pathfinder, our team found that the Highlander has more of what drivers near Pacific Beach, San Diego, and El Cajon need.

Want to see for yourself? Come to Norm Reeves Toyota San Diego and get behind the wheel. Contact us to test drive the Toyota Highlander today!

Toyota Highlander vs Nissan Pathfinder: Take a Test Drive

Q: How does the Toyota Highlander compare to the Nissan Pathfinder?
A: The Highlander offers a smoother ride, standard Toyota Safety Sense™, and an available hybrid option, while the Pathfinder emphasizes rugged styling and towing.

Q: Which SUV has better fuel efficiency?
A: The Toyota Highlander Hybrid offers significantly better fuel economy than any Pathfinder model.

Q: Is the Toyota Highlander more spacious than the Pathfinder?
A: Both SUVs offer similar three-row seating, but the Highlander provides a more refined interior layout with easier access to the third row.

Q: What safety features come standard on the Highlander?
A: The Highlander includes Toyota Safety Sense™ 2.5+ with adaptive cruise control, lane departure alert, and pre-collision braking.

Q: Which SUV is better for families?
A: The Highlander’s smooth ride, advanced safety features, and optional hybrid powertrain make it an ideal choice for families in San Diego.

1 2019 EPA-estimated mileage. Actual mileage will vary.