2023 NISSAN PATHFINDER | 5N1DR3DK6PC210286

Body Styles

The Nissan Pathfinder is a three-row midsize SUV with a bold, upright stance and more rugged styling than the previous generation. It features a vertical front grille with signature V-Motion design, squared fenders, muscular proportions, blacked-out pillars for a floating roof effect, and available two-tone paint schemes. The rear showcases wide LED taillights and a bold PATHFINDER wordmark across the tailgate.

Compared to its rounded predecessor, the fifth-gen Pathfinder emphasizes tougher, more truck-like cues, while retaining a family-friendly layout. Ground clearance is adequate for mild off-road use, and design features such as integrated roof rails, available tow hooks, and skid-plate accents reinforce its adventurous spirit.

Model Name Meaning (Manufacturer)

The name "Pathfinder" was chosen by Nissan to evoke the vehicle's spirit of adventure, capability, and exploration. It reflects the SUV’s original mission as a rugged, go-anywhere vehicle capable of forging new trails, whether off-road or on the highway. The term "pathfinder" refers to someone or something that discovers a new course or direction, which aligns with Nissan’s intent to position the model as a leader in the SUV segment during its early years.

Introduced in 1986, the Pathfinder was among Nissan's first forays into the SUV market, and the name was crafted to symbolize independence, trailblazing ability, and resilience. With the 2022 redesign, the manufacturer retained the iconic name to reinforce its heritage while introducing a more refined and family-friendly image. Although the modern Pathfinder has shifted more toward crossover comfort than hardcore off-road utility, the name continues to carry brand equity and symbolic strength linked to adventure and pioneering.

Model Name Meaning (Languages)

“Pathfinder” is a real word that communicates exploration, leadership, and trailblazing, reinforcing the SUV’s character as a versatile family vehicle with adventurous capability. It holds strong brand equity in North America due to its long-standing presence and recognizable name.

Body & Interior Colors and Rims

The Nissan Pathfinder features a palette designed to appeal to both adventurous spirits and urban families, combining earthy tones with elegant finishes. The body color lineup includes timeless classics like Super Black and Brilliant Silver Metallic, as well as richer hues such as Deep Ocean Blue Pearl, Scarlet Ember Tintcoat, and Obsidian Green Pearl, a shade that subtly nods to the model’s off-road heritage. More premium trims also offer Pearl White Tricoat and Gun Metallic, which elevate the Pathfinder’s presence with their layered finishes. For customers seeking a bolder statement, two-tone paint schemes pair a contrasting Super Black roof with colors like Boulder Gray Pearl, Obsidian Green Pearl, or Scarlet Ember, reinforcing a more dynamic and upscale look.

Inside, the interior color combinations vary by trim level and include practical yet refined choices such as Charcoal, Light Gray, and Chestnut, available in both cloth and leather. Higher trims offer quilted semi-aniline leather in Chestnut Brown or Light Beige, with contrast stitching that enhances visual texture and a premium ambiance. The Platinum trim, in particular, includes elevated material finishes and distinctive color blocking that signal its flagship status.

Wheel designs are tailored to reinforce both the rugged and family-friendly identities of the Pathfinder. Base trims come with 18-inch machined aluminum-alloy wheels, while mid- and upper-level trims gain access to 20-inch alloy wheels finished in Dark-painted or Machined-face styles. These designs provide a commanding stance and complement the Pathfinder's upright, athletic silhouette, especially when paired with its flared fenders and black lower-body accents.

This combination of bold paint options, refined interiors, and distinct wheel designs reflects Nissan’s intent to balance traditional SUV robustness with contemporary family-oriented sophistication in the latest Pathfinder generation.

Top Expensive Options

• 12.3” Digital Instrument Cluster with Navigation View: $900
• Head-Up Display with Turn-by-Turn Guidance: $850
• Bose 13-Speaker Premium Audio System: $1,200
• Panoramic Moonroof with Power Shade: $1,100
• Wireless Apple CarPlay + Android Auto + Wi-Fi Hotspot: Standard (SL+)
• Second-Row Captain’s Chairs with Removable Center Console: $600
• Surround View Monitor with Off-Road Mode + Parking Sensors: $850
• ProPILOT Assist with Navi-Link (Adaptive Cruise + Lane Centering): Standard (Platinum)
• Tow Package with Transmission Cooler + Hitch Receiver: $500
• Tri-Zone Climate Control with Rear HVAC Controls and Rear Sunshades: Standard

vs Competitors

The Pathfinder competes with the Toyota Highlander, Honda Pilot, Kia Telluride, Hyundai Palisade, Ford Explorer, and Chevrolet Traverse. Compared to the Highlander and Pilot, it offers more rugged design, a superior transmission, and better third-row access. While the Telluride and Palisade boast more luxury polish, the Pathfinder counters with better towing, stronger off-road modes, and simpler interior ergonomics. The Explorer may offer rear-wheel-drive dynamics, but the Pathfinder delivers more interior flexibility, superior AWD traction, and long-term value. It now stands as a serious contender for families seeking space, style, and light trail-readiness in one upscale package.

Fun Fact

The 2022 Pathfinder marks a return to form for Nissan, ditching the CVT and soft design of the prior generation in favor of a stronger drivetrain, more truck-inspired looks, and improved off-road tools. It also introduced Nissan’s first-ever second-row center console that can be removed without tools, and its EZ FLEX® seating system allows for one-touch third-row access even with a child seat installed — a segment-leading convenience feature. Designed in California and built in Smyrna, Tennessee, the Pathfinder continues a legacy that spans nearly 40 years of family-ready adventure.