2025 Nissan Pathfinder vs 2026 Hyundai Palisade
Comparison Overview
Choosing between the refreshed 2025 Nissan Pathfinder and the upcoming 2026 Hyundai Palisade often boils down to balancing initial cost against marginal utility gains. If budget is tight, the Pathfinder starts $3,035 cheaper at an MSRP of $36,400, though both sip regular unleaded fuel. Performance is nearly identical, with the Palisade holding a slight edge in power boasting 287 hp versus the Pathfinder's 284 hp, matched by near-identical torque figures (260 lb-ft vs. 259 lb-ft). However, the Palisade offers superior utility with 19.1 cu ft of cargo space compared to the Pathfinder’s 16.6 cu ft, though the Pathfinder counters with better fuel efficiency, achieving 23 MPG combined versus the Palisade’s 21 MPG combined. Ultimately, drivers prioritize either upfront savings and efficiency (Pathfinder) or slightly more room (Palisade) in this close midsize crossover battle.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2025 Nissan Pathfinder
The 2025 Nissan Pathfinder wins for commuters due to its superior combined fuel economy of 23 MPG compared to the Palisade's 21 MPG.
2026 Hyundai Palisade
Families should lean towards the 2026 Hyundai Palisade because it offers more usable space with 19.1 cu ft of cargo capacity.
2026 Hyundai Palisade
The 2026 Hyundai Palisade is slightly better for enthusiasts as it has a marginal power advantage with 287 horsepower versus 284 hp.
2025 Nissan Pathfinder
The 2025 Nissan Pathfinder offers better value upfront, saving buyers $3,035 off the starting MSRP.
Choose the Nissan Pathfinder if...
- You prioritize maximizing fuel stops, benefiting from the Pathfinder's 23 MPG combined rating.
- You are focused on the lowest entry price, as the Pathfinder starts at $36,400.
- You prefer the slight advantage in efficiency delivered by its 9-speed automatic transmission.
Choose the Hyundai Palisade if...
- You need maximum hauling capability, given the Palisade’s larger 19.1 cu ft cargo volume.
- You want the absolute highest output, as the Palisade edges out the competition with 287 horsepower.
- You prefer the slightly larger overall exterior dimensions, specifically its 199.2-inch length.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Nissan Pathfinder | Hyundai Palisade |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 197.7" | 199.2" |
| Width | 77.9" | 78.0" |
| Height | 70.9" | 69.5" |
| Wheelbase | 114.2" | 116.9" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Nissan | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Nissan | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 3.5 L | 3.5 L |
| Number of Cylinders | V6 | V6 |
| Base Engine Type | gas | gas |
| Horsepower | 284 hp @ 6400 rpm | 287 hp @ 6400 rpm |
| Torque | 259 lb-ft @ 4800 rpm | 260 lb-ft @ 5000 rpm |
| Number of Valves | 24 | 24 |
| Camshaft Type | Double overhead cam (DOHC) | Double overhead cam (DOHC) |
| Variable Valve Timing | Variable | Variable |
| Fuel Injection Type | ✓ | ✓ |
Drive Train
| Feature | Nissan | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | 9-speed shiftable automatic | 8-speed shiftable automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | front wheel drive | front wheel drive |
Fuel
| Feature | Nissan | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 20/27 MPG | 19/25 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 23 MPG | 21 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 370.0/499.5 mi. | 361.0/475.0 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 18.5 gal. | 19.0 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Nissan | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel | — | ✓ |
| Front Parking Sensors | — | ✓ |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | — | ✓ |
| Leather Steering Wheel | — | ✓ |
| Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Nissan | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 8.0 in | 12.3 in |
| AM/FM Stereo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Speaker System | 6 | — |
| 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 | 3 months |
| Speed Sensitive Volume Control | ✓ | — |
| Android Auto (Wireless) | — | ✓ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wireless) | — | ✓ |
Power Feature
| Feature | Nissan | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 1 | 2 |
| Keyless Entry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Nissan | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 42.3 in. | 41.5 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 44.3 in. | 44.2 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 60.8 in. | 61.4 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 58.3 in. | 58.8 in. |
| Seat Material: Cloth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Seat Type: Bucket | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Manual Adjustments | 6-way | 6-way |
| Driver Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Lumbar Support | Manual | — |
| Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments | 6-way | 6-way |
| Passenger Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
Rearseats
| Feature | Nissan | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 39.6 in. | 40.7 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 35.5 in. | 43.0 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 59.6 in. | 61.0 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 56.3 in. | 56.7 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | ✓ |
| Reclining Rear Seats | ✓ | ✓ |
| Folding Center Armrest | ✓ | ✓ |
| Manual Folding Third Row Seat | ✓ | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Nissan | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Finish | Painted Alloy | Painted Alloy |
| Wheel Diameter | 18 in | — |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | 255/60R18 | 235/65R |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | Temporary |
| Spare Tire Location | Underbody Mounted | Underbody Mounted |
| Wheel Size | — | 18 x 8.0 in |
Suspension
| Feature | Nissan | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Nissan | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Warranty | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. |
| Drivetrain Warranty | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 10 yr./ 100000 mi. |
| Corrosion/Rust Warranty | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. | 7 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Roadside Assistance | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance | 2 yr./ 24000 mi. | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Nissan Pathfinder and 2026 Hyundai Palisade.
What is the real-world difference in fuel costs between these two crossovers?
The Nissan Pathfinder has a clear advantage in efficiency, achieving 23 MPG combined, while the Hyundai Palisade manages 21 MPG combined. Over a year of driving, this 2 MPG difference, especially when running on regular unleaded, will result in noticeable savings at the pump for Pathfinder owners.
How much more room do I get by choosing the 2026 Hyundai Palisade?
The Palisade provides 19.1 cu ft of cargo capacity behind the third row, which is meaningfully more than the Pathfinder's 16.6 cu ft. That extra 2.5 cu ft can translate to fitting a stroller or an extra suitcase on family road trips.
Are the performance differences between 284 hp and 287 hp significant?
No, the performance difference is negligible for daily driving, as the horsepower and torque ratings are almost identical, and both use front-wheel drive as standard. Enthusiasts will find similar everyday responsiveness, though the Palisade technically holds the edge.
Is the $3,035 price gap worth paying for the 2026 Hyundai Palisade?
That depends on your needs; the Pathfinder saves you $3,035 upfront on the MSRP. You would need to highly value the extra 2.5 cu ft of cargo space or the extra 3 hp to justify paying that premium for the Palisade.
Which vehicle is physically larger on the road?
The 2026 Hyundai Palisade is marginally longer at 199.2 inches compared to the Pathfinder's 197.7 inches, but it is slightly shorter in height at 69.5 inches versus 70.9 inches for the Nissan.
Do these crossovers use different fuel grades?
Fortunately, both the 2025 Nissan Pathfinder and the 2026 Hyundai Palisade are designed to run on regular unleaded fuel, keeping running costs predictable for both models.
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