2025 Nissan Pathfinder vs 2026 Honda CR-V

$36,400 · Crossover

$30,920 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

Choosing between a family-hauler like the 2025 Nissan Pathfinder and a pragmatic crossover like the 2026 Honda CR-V often comes down to balancing size against efficiency and budget. The Pathfinder, with an MSRP starting at $36,400, is the larger vehicle, measuring 197.7 inches long, but it drinks more fuel, achieving only 23 MPG combined compared to the CR-V's excellent 30 MPG combined. That 7 MPG difference will add up significantly over a year of driving. Power seekers will gravitate toward the Pathfinder's robust 284 hp and 259 lb-ft of torque, significantly more than the CR-V’s 190 hp. However, the CR-V undercuts the Pathfinder on price by $5,480 and offers more than double the base cargo volume at 39.3 cu ft versus the Pathfinder's 16.6 cu ft, presenting a tough trade-off between muscle and utility.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 Honda CR-V

The 2026 Honda CR-V is the clear winner for commuters due to its superior 30 MPG combined efficiency, saving money daily over the Pathfinder's 23 MPG.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Nissan Pathfinder

The 2025 Nissan Pathfinder, being substantially longer at 197.7 inches and more powerful, is better suited for growing families needing more presence and capability.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Nissan Pathfinder

Enthusiasts will prefer the Pathfinder's 284 hp and 259 lb-ft of torque, providing significantly more performance than the CR-V’s 190 hp.

💰 Best Value

2026 Honda CR-V

The CR-V offers better value by being $5,480 less expensive while delivering significantly higher fuel economy.

Choose the Nissan Pathfinder if...

You prioritize performance and want 284 horsepower available under the hood.
You need the longer vehicle footprint, measuring 197.7 inches in length.
You prefer the shifting feel of a traditional 9-speed automatic transmission.

Choose the Honda CR-V if...

Maximizing fuel savings is key, given its 30 MPG combined efficiency.
You want to save $5,480 on the initial purchase price.
You need maximum base cargo room, as 39.3 cu ft significantly beats the Pathfinder.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Nissan Pathfinder	Honda CR-V
Length	197.7"	184.8"
Width	77.9"	73.5"
Height	70.9"	66.2"
Wheelbase	114.2"	106.3"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Nissan	Honda
Blind Spot Monitor	✓	—
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	✓	—
Driver Attention Alert	✓	✓
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	✓
Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	✓
Front Head Airbags	✓	✓
Rear Head Airbags	✓	✓
Third Row Head Airbags	✓	—
Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation	✓	✓
Electronic Stability Control	✓	✓
Traction Control System	✓	✓
LATCH System	✓	✓
Rear Door Child Safety Locks	✓	✓
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)	4-Wheel	4-Wheel
Front Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	—
Brake Assist	✓	✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Headrests	3	3
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	—	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	—	✓
Rear Solid Disc Brakes	—	✓
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Nissan	Honda
Base Engine Displacement	3.5 L	1.5 L
Number of Cylinders	V6	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	284 hp @ 6400 rpm	190 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque	259 lb-ft @ 4800 rpm	179 lb-ft @ 1700 rpm
Number of Valves	24	16
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓

Drive Train

Feature	Nissan	Honda
Transmission Type	9-speed shiftable automatic	continuously variable-speed automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	front wheel drive
Hill Descent Control	—	✓

Fuel

Feature	Nissan	Honda
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	20/27 MPG	28/33 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	23 MPG	30 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	370.0/499.5 mi.	392.0/462.0 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	18.5 gal.	14.0 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Nissan	Honda
Push Button Start	✓	✓
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Rear Parking Sensors	✓	—
Cruise Control	✓	—
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
3rd Row Cupholders	✓	—
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	✓	✓
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Manual Rear Seat Easy Entry	✓	—
Three Zone Climate Control	✓	—
Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control	✓	—
Interior Air Filtration	✓	✓
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Wireless Charging Pad	—	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	—	✓
Single Zone Climate Control	—	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts	—	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Nissan	Honda
Infotainment Display	8.0 in	9.0 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	6	4
Android Auto (Wired)	✓	—
Apple CarPlay (Wired)	✓	—
USB Port	✓	✓
Auxiliary Audio Input	✓	—
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Satellite Radio	✓	—
Satellite Radio Trial Period	3 months	—
Speed Sensitive Volume Control	✓	—
Stereo Power	—	160W
Android Auto (Wireless)	—	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	—	✓

Power Feature

Feature	Nissan	Honda
One-Touch Power Windows	1	1
Keyless Entry	✓	—
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓
Remote Keyless Entry	—	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Nissan	Honda
Front Head Room	42.3 in.	40.0 in.
Front Leg Room	44.3 in.	41.3 in.
Front Shoulder Room	60.8 in.	57.9 in.
Front Hip Room	58.3 in.	55.6 in.
Seat Material: Cloth	✓	✓
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Manual Adjustments	6-way	—
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	Manual	—
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	6-way	—
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	✓	—

Rearseats

Feature	Nissan	Honda
Rear Head Room	39.6 in.	38.2 in.
Rear Leg Room	35.5 in.	41.0 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	59.6 in.	55.9 in.
Rear Hip Room	56.3 in.	52.6 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	✓	—

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Nissan	Honda
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	—
Wheel Diameter	18 in	17 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	255/60R18	235/65R
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Underbody Mounted	Inside Mounted
Wheel Material	—	Steel
Wheel Cover Type	—	✓

Suspension

Feature	Nissan	Honda
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	✓	✓
Front Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓
Rear Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓

Warranty

Feature	Nissan	Honda
Basic Warranty	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	3 yr./ 36000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	5 yr./ unlimited mi.	5 yr./ unlimited mi.
Roadside Assistance	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	3 yr./ 36000 mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	2 yr./ 24000 mi.	1 yr./ 12000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Nissan Pathfinder and 2026 Honda CR-V.

Is the Honda CR-V significantly smaller than the Pathfinder?

Yes, the CR-V is considerably smaller; the Pathfinder has 197.7 inches of length compared to the CR-V's 184.8 inches, making the Pathfinder much longer overall.

How much more horsepower does the Pathfinder offer over the CR-V?

The 2025 Nissan Pathfinder offers 284 hp, giving it 94 more horsepower than the 2026 Honda CR-V's 190 hp output.

Which vehicle is better for minimizing trips to the gas station?

The 2026 Honda CR-V is the better choice, delivering a 30 MPG combined rating versus the Pathfinder's 23 MPG combined rating.

What is the price difference between these two base models?

The 2025 Nissan Pathfinder starts at $36,400, which is $5,480 more expensive than the 2026 Honda CR-V's starting MSRP of $30,920.

Does the Pathfinder offer more storage space than the CR-V?

No, despite being the larger exterior vehicle, the Pathfinder only offers 16.6 cu ft of cargo capacity, whereas the CR-V provides an impressive 39.3 cu ft.