2024 Nissan Pathfinder Ti Review

Much like the Hyundai Palisade we tested recently, the 2024 Nissan Pathfinder Ti is another example of a large family-hauling SUV which will be tasked with tackling the urban jungle, and the occasional country trip. Now in its fifth generation, the latest Nissan Pathfinder is a three-row SUV built in the USA with some tough and imposing looks to help put it firmly in buyers’ sights.

Nissan has high hopes for the Pathfinder in Australia, pitching it to families who need an urban SUV fit for the school run, but also an occasional trip off the beaten track. Sure, the Patrol will always remain Nissan’s answer for those after the ultimate off-road warrior, but the Pathfinder proves it also has what it takes venture off-road.

In a segment filled with talented cars such as the evergreen and oh-so capable Toyota Kluger, sumptuous and high-tech Mazda CX-90 and the goldilocks Hyundai Palisade, how does Nissan’s butch soft-roader Pathfinder stack up?

Price & Equipment: 7.5/10

While Nissan used to have four Pathfinder variants to choose from, there are now just two variants in the rather well appointed and simplified range.

The entry price is now $71,490 plus on-road costs for the all-wheel drive (AWD) 2024 Nissan Pathfinder Ti we have on test here, with drive-away pricing of around $77,550 for a Victorian postcode. Standard equipment is pretty good, as the two axed models used to both sit under the current 20224 Nissan Pathfinder lineup.

2023 Nissan Pathfinder pricing:

• Pathfinder Ti 4WD: $71,490
• Pathfinder Ti-L 4WD: $81,490

2023 Nissan Pathfinder standard equipment:

• 18-inch wheels
• Dusk-sensing automatic LED headlights
• Automatic high beam
• LED tail lights
• LED daytime running lights
• Chrome window surrounds
• Silver roof rails
• Privacy glass for second row and rear
• Hands-off proximity key
• Power adjustable, heated door mirrors
• Power tailgate
• Remote engine start
• Tri-zone climate control
• Second and third-row air vents
• Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
• Inbuilt rear door sunshades
• Leather-accented seats (third-row synthetic)
• 10-way power driver’s seat
• 6-way manual front passenger seat
• Heated front seats
• 8-seat configuration (2-3-3)

• Heated second row outboard seats
• Leather-accented steering wheel
• Leather-accented door trims
• Illuminated vanity mirrors
• 10.8-inch head-up display
• 7.0-inch TFT instrument display
• 9.0-inch touchscreen display
• Satellite navigation
• Wireless and wired Apple CarPlay
• Wired Android Auto
• Wireless smartphone charger
• Bluetooth phone and audio
• Voice recognition
• Bose 13-speaker audio system with dual subwoofers
• AM/FM/DAB+ radio
• 5 USBs (3 x USB-A and 2 x USB-C)
• 2 12V outlets (1 x instrument panel, 1 x cargo area

Standard safety features include:

• Autonomous emergency braking (AEB), with pedestrian and cyclist detection, junction assist and rear AEB
• Blind-spot assist
• Lane departure warning
• Lane keep assist
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Traffic-sign recognition with over-speed prevention
• ProPILOT adaptive cruise control and lane centring
• Tyre pressure monitoring
• 9 airbags including third row curtain units
• Reversing camera
• Rear parking sensors
• Surround-view cameras

The Ti-L spec does include some noticeable features over the Ti, and perhaps most notably features a snazzy 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, two middle-row captain’s chairs, a digital rear-view mirror which uses a camera to look rearwards, and a panoramic sunroof. Having said that, whether the Ti-L is worth the additional $10,000 over the Ti, is a question for buyers themselves.

Competitors include the Hyundai Palisade Elite for around $72,000 drive away, Mazda CX-90 G50e Touring for around $80,000 drive-away and the Toyota Kluger Grande 2WD petrol for around $79,000 driveaway.

The Hyundai Palisade trumps the Pathfinder’s spec list, with its larger 12.3 inch central touchscreen and its digital gauges, while the Mazda counters with a far more sumptuous interior and more powerful drivetrain. The Toyota on the other hand, lacks the AWD capabilities of the Pathfinder, but does feature a more impressive screen, larger 20 inch alloys as well as a more fuel efficient turbocharged engine.

Performance & Economy: 7.5/10

Powering the 2024 Nissan Pathfinder Ti is an old-school 3.5-litre naturally-aspirated V6, generating an impressive 202kW of power at 6400rpm and 340Nm at 4800rpm, seamlessly paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Nissan’s legacy of developing exceptional V6 engines is evident in this model, with the Pathfinder’s drivetrain offering smooth and quiet operation with a solid punch once the rev needle swings into the mid-range.

On-demand AWD with a versatile selection of terrain modes is now standard across the range following the recent lineup streamlining. The system intelligently prioritises the front wheels when cruising around for best efficiency but redistributes torque to the rear during strong acceleration or on slippery surfaces. Various driving modes, including Sport, Snow, Tow, Sand, Mud/Rut, and Eco enable drivers to tailor the Pathfinder’s driving experience.

Both in town and on the freeway, the big V6 impresses with its laid back attitude. Nissan quotes 8.1 seconds for the 0-100km/h sprint which is not a bad result for a 5.0-meter, 2000kg SUV. We did find the V6 tends to require a lot of revs however, meaning that overtaking maneuvers are met with a load of noise. Fortunately, the nine-speed torque-converter automatic transmission shines in responsiveness, a welcome improvement over the previous CVT that have had a poor reputation in Pathfinders of old.

In contrast to Hyundai’s approach of offering a diesel Palisade, and Toyota’s approach of having hybrids all over the Kluger range, Nissan refrains from offering hybrid or diesel variants in the Pathfinder range. Hybrids often excel in urban efficiency, while diesel proves proves advantageous when towing and going on longer journeys.

Despite the claimed fuel economy of 10.5L/100km, our mixed-route test resulted in an average of 11.5L/100km – a reasonable figure considering the 2024 Nissan Pathfinder’s size and capabilities. Around town, expect this figure to go into the low to mid teens, while the open road will allow the Pathfinder to sit comfortably at around 9L/100km. Touring range should be solid, with a sizeable 71L fuel tank. A word of warning for those not picking a Kluger Hybrid – your Pathfinder’s fuel bills will be double that of the Toyota.

For those with towing requirements, the Pathfinder impresses with a listed towing capacity of 2700kg with a braked trailer, surpassing rivals like the Kluger 2WD and CX-90, each capped at 2000kg.

Ride & Handling: 7.5/10

Nissan has worked hard over the past few years to improve the driving appeal of its vehicles and while the Pathfinder might be born in America, it still walks the talk with some decent handling prowess and a cushioning, and taught ride on the open road. Unlike the Pathfinder Ti-L on its 20-inch wheels, the Pathfinder Ti runs chubbier 18-inch rims with more tyre sidewall meaning sharp hits around town such as potholes won’t upset occupants too much, even if the ride is a little firmer than expected, and doesn’t come close to the high standard set by the Palisade.

Hustling the Pathfinder through corners shows off some body-roll and a lack of grip from the tyres. Still, the steering wheel feels connected to the wheels below which is not something which could be said about the previous Pathfinder’s steering. Touring is luckily a hushed affair thanks to expert noise insulation and some big improvements to the Pathfinder’s rigidity over its lackluster predecessor.

The 2024 Nissan Pathfinder Ti also has a rather useful 179mm of ground clearance, meaning it is more than suitable for the occasional gravel road or a muddy slope. Don’t expect any off-road theatrics though, this not some ladder-frame off-roader like some Pathfinders were in the past.

Nissan’s driver assist tech works well for the most part, even if it is tuned a little on the conservative side. Lane-assist only engages at freeway speeds, which is a shame because it could come in handy at lower speeds around town, and we didn’t see any random phantom braking events either.

Visibility is genuinely good for such a large car, although we wish the rear view camera were a little better quality, which would help navigating tight parking spots a little easier.

Interior & Practicality: 8/10

Hopping into the 2024 Nissan Pathfinder shows a spacious and well-built interior, even if the design itself isn’t the flashiest and a little chunky. The materials used feel decent, considering the Pathfinder’s price and the large-SUV feels built to last. The driving position is nice and lofty, giving a commanding view of the road and the front seats feel super comfortable. The leather used should withstand years of abuse from kids, and adults. Sadly, while both the driver and passenger get heated seats, only the driver’s seat is electrically adjustable, with the passenger making do for manual seat controls.

Nissan’s steering wheel feels well made, with beautiful leather and some nice stitching, while the buttons on the steering wheel, along with all of the major switchgear fall easily to hand and feel premium.

The Nissan Pathfinder Ti grade features an analogue speedo and tacho with a smaller colour screen between them. The instrument set-up feels a little utilitarian considering the price and the the fully digital dash seen in the Ti-L with feature-rich with sharp graphics, complemented by a head-up display projecting vital information onto the windscreen should be included on the Ti too.

The centrally mounted 9.0-inch touchscreen is shared with other Nissan and Mitsubishi products and sadly features some missive gloss black bezels which limit its size, meaning it isn’t as flashy as the screen seen in the Hyundai Palisade and even the recently updated Kluger, and it’s also yet to feature live services. Still, the screen is perfectly fine for what it is – it loads quickly and features quality maps, supports wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, and offers AM/FM/DAB radio. The 360-degree camera display, though poor resolution, proves valuable in manoeuvring the Pathfinder around town.

Storage options up front are relatively good, with two cupholders, spacious door bins, a deep centre console, an open area above the glovebox and a wireless charging pad. Things feel generally well laid out, though we wish Nissan would stop using dark gloss plastics – they scratch easily and attract dust and fingerprints all too well.

Jumping into the second row, the 2024 Nissan Pathfinder impresses with enough space for three adults to lounge comfortably. There’s acres of legroom and headroom, and even width isn’t an issue for those in the second row. The Pathfinder looks after those in the second row with heated outboard seats, a dedicated climate control zone, window blinds as well as a few USB-A and USB-C ports.

Accessing the third row is an easy affair with the row not only tilting forwards, but sliding out of place too. We were shocked by how much room the three (yes, three!) third row passengers get in the Pathfinder with more than adequate head and foot room. Comfort is looked after with adjustable headrests, air vents, cupholders, a USB port. Curtain airbag coverage extends all the way back to the third row, too.

The 2024 Nissan Pathfinder Ti also features a cavernous boot. With all eight seats in use is, the Pathfinder still has 205L, and boasts a solid 554L with the third-row seats folded into the floor. Nissan says that with the second and third rows folded, the Pathfinder has a maximum load volume of 782L – though that’s likely only to the belt line. We suspect this figure might be a little on the low side as a Palisade features 311L of space with all three rows in place, 704L with the third row folded, and 2447L with the second and third row folded. A space saver spare tyre lives under the Pathfinder’s body.

Service & Warranty: 8/10

All Nissan models sold in Australia come with a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, which is very much the industry standard these days. The 2024 Nissan Pathfinder needs a service every 15,000km or 12 months, with the total servicing price coming in at $2581 over five years or 75,000km or $516 per service. A word of warning however with the 90,000km/72 month service, which costs a whopping $1,625 alone.

Each service for the 2024 Hyundai Palisade costs just $399 for the first five years, meaning that after five years Palisade owners will have spent just south of $2000 on their pride and joy, while a Toyota Kluger will have only cost $1250 to service over a five years.

2024 Nissan Pathfinder Ti DiscoverAuto Rating: 7.6/10

We’re big fans of Nissan’s return to form and 2024 Nissan Pathfinder Ti manages to back its impressively butch looks with some real talent. It’s impeccably roomy, well built and feels decent to drive. Sure, the V6 is thirsty and the ride could do with some fine tuning, but we’re pleased to say the Pathfinder can now comfortably hold its own against its key rivals.

Whether you’re planning on sticking to the burbs, or heading for some light off-roading with the family, the Pathfinder remains a solid option, just make sure to check out a Kluger Hybrid first, if saving money on petrol bills is a priority.