Nissan Pathfinder vs Toyota Highlander
Side-by-side comparison from manufacturer specifications, NHTSA safety data, and live dealer listings.
Vehicles
Vehicles
2026 Toyota Highlander
Overview
| Spec | Nissan PathfinderS | Toyota HighlanderXLE |
|---|---|---|
| Selected trim | S | XLE |
| Body style | SUV | SUV |
| Drivetrain | front wheel drive | all wheel drive |
| Fuel type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| Transmission | 9-speed shiftable automatic | 8-speed shiftable automatic |
| Engine type | gas | gas |
| Model year | 2026 | 2026 |
Pricing & market
| Spec | Nissan PathfinderS | Toyota HighlanderXLE |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $37,500 (best) | $45,270 |
| Lowest listing price | $9,299 | $7,096 (best) |
| Median listing price | $38,165 | $35,204 (best) |
| Highest listing price | $53,339 (best) | $55,748 |
| For sale now | 95 (best) | 47 |
Fuel economy & range
| Spec | Nissan PathfinderS | Toyota HighlanderXLE |
|---|---|---|
| Combined MPG | 23 MPG | 24 MPG (best) |
| City MPG | 20 MPG | 21 MPG (best) |
| Highway MPG | 27 MPG | 28 MPG (best) |
| Fuel tank | 18.5 gal (best) | 17.9 gal |
Performance
| Spec | Nissan PathfinderS | Toyota HighlanderXLE |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 284 hp (best) | 265 hp |
| Torque | 259 lb-ft | 310 lb-ft (best) |
| Engine size | 3.5 L (best) | 2.4 L |
| Cylinders | V6 | I4 |
Size & capability
| Spec | Nissan PathfinderS | Toyota HighlanderXLE |
|---|---|---|
| Seating | 8 seats (best) | 7 seats |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Cargo volume | 80.5 cu ft | 84.3 cu ft (best) |
| Towing capacity | 3,500 lbs | 5,000 lbs (best) |
| Payload | 1,729 lbs (best) | 1,225 lbs |
| Curb weight | 4,334 lbs (best) | 4,376 lbs |
| Ground clearance | 7.1 in | 8 in (best) |
| Wheelbase | 114.2 in (best) | 112.2 in |
| Length | 197.7 in (best) | 194.9 in |
| Width | 77.9 in (best) | 76 in |
| Height | 70.9 in (best) | 68.1 in |
Safety & recalls
| Spec | Nissan PathfinderS | Toyota HighlanderXLE |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA overall | 5 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ |
| Frontal crash (driver) | 4 / 5 ★ | 4 / 5 ★ |
| Frontal crash (passenger) | 4 / 5 ★ | 4 / 5 ★ |
| Side crash (driver) | 5 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ |
| Side crash (passenger) | 5 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ |
| Side pole | 5 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ |
| Rollover | 4 / 5 ★ | 4 / 5 ★ |
| Open recalls (YMM scope) | None reported | None reported |
Highlighted values indicate the better figure for that spec when a clear winner exists. Specs reflect the selected trim for each vehicle. Drag a vehicle header to reorder columns. MSRP and specifications are manufacturer data; listing prices and inventory come from live dealer listings. Safety ratings are from NHTSA.
Trim overview
All available trims with MSRP. The trim selected above is highlighted; comparison specs use that selection.
| Trim | Nissan Pathfinder | Toyota Highlander |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | S $37,500 MSRP(Currently comparing) | XLE $45,270 MSRP(Currently comparing) |
| 2 | S $39,500 MSRP | XLE $47,020 MSRP |
| 3 | SV $39,900 MSRP | XSE $47,340 MSRP |
| 4 | SV $41,900 MSRP | Limited $49,725 MSRP |
| 5 | SL $42,500 MSRP | Limited $51,475 MSRP |
| 6 | SL $44,500 MSRP | Platinum $52,925 MSRP |
| 7 | Rock Creek $45,000 MSRP | Platinum $54,675 MSRP |
| 8 | Platinum $49,400 MSRP | — |
| 9 | Platinum $51,400 MSRP | — |
Live inventory
Nissan Pathfinder95 for sale
See all
Used2023 Nissan Pathfinder
Platinum
Brilliant Silver Metallic•Charcoal$33,79038,420 miJim Coleman Nissan Bethesda
Bethesda, MD
Certified2025 Nissan Pathfinder
SV
Gun Metallic•Charcoal$30,86127,947 miAndy Mohr Avon Nissan
Avon, IN
Used2024 Nissan Pathfinder
Rock Creek
Glacier White•charcoal$33,58844,625 miWalla Walla Toyota
Walla Walla, WA
- New
2026 Nissan Pathfinder
Platinum
C/CHESTNUT$48,5111 miClassic Nissan Williamsburg
Williamsburg, VA
Used2025 Nissan Pathfinder
SV
Deep Ocean Blue Pearl•charcoal$28,36442,831 miSilverthorne Ford Robinson
Robinson, IL
Certified2023 Nissan Pathfinder
Platinum 4WD
Gun Metallic/Super Black•Chestnut$38,48518,625 miKelly Nissan of Woburn
Stoneham, MA
Toyota Highlander47 for sale
See all
Used2021 Toyota Highlander
XLE
blueprint•black$32,53858,834 miKeffer Mazda
Huntersville, NC
Certified2023 Toyota Highlander
LE
Midnight Black Metallic•Black$32,90020,543 miPlaza Auto Mall
Brooklyn, NY
Used2023 Toyota Highlander
Limited
Pearl•Beige$36,58560,482 miGreenway Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Orlando
Orlando, FL
Used2023 Toyota Highlander
XLE
Black$32,87484,772 miBeckley Chevrolet
Beckley, WV
New2026 Toyota Highlander
XLE
$49,683228 miKeating Toyota Manvel
Manvel, TX
Used2026 Toyota Highlander
Limited
Midnight Black Metallic•Black$54,9985,819 miClassic Toyota Wilkesboro
North Wilkesboro, NC
Nissan Pathfinder vs Toyota Highlander FAQ
- Which is better: 2026 Nissan Pathfinder or 2026 Toyota Highlander?
- It depends on priorities. OpenDealer compares 2026 Nissan Pathfinder vs 2026 Toyota Highlander on MSRP, fuel economy, horsepower, seating, towing, NHTSA safety ratings, and live market prices so you can weigh the tradeoffs.
- Which costs less: 2026 Nissan Pathfinder or 2026 Toyota Highlander?
- Based on starting MSRP, the 2026 Nissan Pathfinder starts lower at $37,500. Live Nissan Pathfinder listings start at $9,299. Live Toyota Highlander listings start at $7,096.
- Which has better startingMsrp: 2026 Nissan Pathfinder or 2026 Toyota Highlander?
- The 2026 Nissan Pathfinder leads on startingMsrp in this comparison (37,500).
- Which has better combinedMpg: 2026 Nissan Pathfinder or 2026 Toyota Highlander?
- The 2026 Toyota Highlander leads on combinedMpg in this comparison (35).
- Which has better horsepower: 2026 Nissan Pathfinder or 2026 Toyota Highlander?
- The 2026 Nissan Pathfinder leads on horsepower in this comparison (295).
- Which has better seats: 2026 Nissan Pathfinder or 2026 Toyota Highlander?
- The 2026 Nissan Pathfinder leads on seats in this comparison (8).
- Which has better maxTowingLbs: 2026 Nissan Pathfinder or 2026 Toyota Highlander?
- The 2026 Nissan Pathfinder leads on maxTowingLbs in this comparison (6,000).
- How do the NHTSA safety ratings compare for 2026 Nissan Pathfinder vs 2026 Toyota Highlander?
- NHTSA overall crash-test ratings in this comparison: Nissan Pathfinder (5/5 NHTSA overall); Toyota Highlander (5/5 NHTSA overall).