Compare the2025 Toyota HighlanderVS 2025 Nissan Pathfinder

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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The Highlander has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Pathfinder doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

The Toyota Highlander’s rear backup camera has a standard washer for maintaining a clear view under various conditions. In contrast, the Nissan Pathfinder does not offer a rear camera washer, meaning its effectiveness relies on manual cleaning by the user when necessary.

Both the Highlander and Pathfinder have Rear Cross Traffic Alert, but the Highlander Limited/Platinum has Parking Support Brake (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Pathfinder’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Highlander and the Pathfinder have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, 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, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Toyota Highlander is safer than the Nissan Pathfinder:

	Highlander	Pathfinder
	Driver
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
Neck Stress	347 lbs.	348 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
Chest Compression	.6 inches	.6 inches
Neck Injury Risk	28.4%	45.1%
Neck Stress	179 lbs.	216 lbs.
Neck Compression	90 lbs.	93 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH, results indicate that the Toyota Highlander is safer than the Nissan Pathfinder:

	Highlander	Pathfinder
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	55	84
Chest Movement	.3 inches	.9 inches
Abdominal Force	79 lbs.	138 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Hip Force	152 lbs.	461 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Warranty

There are over 15 percent more Toyota dealers than there are Nissan dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Highlander’s warranty.

Reliability

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Highlander’s reliability 27 points higher than the Pathfinder.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 53 more problems per 100 vehicles, Nissan is ranked 23rd.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota third in overall reliability. Nissan is ranked 12th.

Engine

The Highlander’s 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder produces 51 lbs.-ft. more torque (310 vs. 259) than the Pathfinder’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6. The Highlander’s 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder produces 40 lbs.-ft. more torque (310 vs. 270) than the Pathfinder Rock Creek’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Highlander gets better mileage than the Pathfinder:

			MPG
Highlander
	FWD	2.4 turbo 4-cyl.	22 city/29 hwy
	AWD	2.4 turbo 4-cyl.	21 city/28 hwy
Pathfinder
	FWD	3.5 DOHC V6	20 city/27 hwy
	AWD	3.5 DOHC V6	21 city/27 hwy
		Platinum 3.5 DOHC V6	20 city/25 hwy
		3.5 DOHC V6	20 city/23 hwy

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Toyota Highlander 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 Highlander has a standard locking fuel door with a power remote release convenient to the driver. The fuel filler door is not lockable on the Pathfinder. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

Environmental Friendliness

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

Suspension and Handling

For better maneuverability, the Highlander’s turning circle is 1.3 feet tighter than the Pathfinder’s (37.4 feet vs. 38.7 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Highlander has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Pathfinder (8 vs. 7.1 inches), allowing the Highlander to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Highlander’s minimum ground clearance is .3 inch higher than on the Pathfinder Rock Creek (8 vs. 7.7 inches).

Passenger Space

The Highlander has 3.2 inches more rear legroom and .7 inches more rear hip room than the Pathfinder.

Cargo Capacity

The Highlander’s cargo area provides more volume than the Pathfinder.

	Highlander	Pathfinder
Third Seat Folded	48.4 cubic feet	45 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	84.3 cubic feet	80.5 cubic feet

Towing

The Highlander’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Pathfinder’s (5000 vs. 3500 pounds).

Ergonomics

If the windows are left open on the Highlander the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. (This window function must be activated by your Toyota service department.) The driver of the Pathfinder can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

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

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Highlander Platinum has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Pathfinder doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The Highlander’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Nissan only offers heated mirrors on the Pathfinder SV/Rock Creek/SL/Platinum.

Economic Advantages

According to iSeeCars.com the 2025 Toyota Highlander retains 58.21% of its original value after 5 years, significantly more than the 44.19% resale value of the 2025 Nissan Pathfinder after five years, which can save the Toyota’s owner up to $3676.20185 in depreciation.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the Toyota Highlander, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Nissan Pathfinder isn't recommended.

The Toyota Highlander outsold the Nissan Pathfinder by 18% during 2024.

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