Used Nissan Pathfinder Buying Guide

• While the Pathfinder shares the same engines for the most recent generation, only the fourth generation comes with a hybrid option, and only for one year, making this the green option to look for.
• When properly equipped, you can tow up to 6,000-pounds with the most recent generation Pathfinder, making this more than a soccer mom SUV.
• If you’re wanting the safest option, then you’ll need something more recent due to the fact that the Pathfinder comes with more standard safety features.

When this generation hit the roads, it came with a ton of new standard features. While some aim at making it easy to operate when towing a trailer, others aim at keeping you and your family safe. The features that make driving a bit easier are a new terrain-management system and trailer sway control. This model can tow, thanks to the 3.5L V6 that can output 284 horsepower, and 259 lb-ft of torque. This allows for a max tow rating of 6,000-pounds.

While this engine isn’t the largest, it does come with some great mileage. The EPA tested this engine, and they found that it is able to get 22 MPG combined. When compared to other larger models in the Nissan family, this is great.

For the safety of the vehicle, you have the addition of Nissan’s Safety Shield 360. This adds some much needed safety features such as automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, rear automatic braking, blind spot warning, lane departure warning, rear cross traffic alert, and high beam assist.

That isn't the only new thing that can be found in this generation as it also saw both 8 and 9-inch touchscreens join the family. These come with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The larger screens have wireless capabilities. For the first time, this model also comes standard as an 8-seater, featuring 2nd row bucket seats, helping spread the comfort to even more of the vehicle.

Going to another generation that will be easy to find, there’s the fourth generation models, and it comes with some differences. While this is a different generation, it does come with the same engine as the newest one. But if you’re looking for some great features, and for less money, get something from this generation.

If you find yourself looking at a 2014 model, there’s a chance that it will come with the SL tech package. This adds a Bose premium audio system, as well as Nissan Navigation System, voice recognition, XM NavTraffic and NavWeather capability, and bluetooth streaming.

One thing that this generation has is a hybrid model, but it sadly didn’t last long. This variant was introduced, and discontinued in 2014, with Nissan claiming that it can get anywhere from 25 to 28 MPG combined, with the EPA finding that it can get 26 MPG combined. If you’re looking for something a bit more green, then this is the one for you.