2026 Nissan Pathfinder: mileage, fuel cost, safety and recalls
The 2026 Nissan Pathfinder gets 21 to 23 miles per gallon combined, depending on the version. The best is the 2026 Pathfinder 2WD at 23 mpg.
How the Pathfinder ranks in its class
In the Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD class for 2026, the Pathfinder ranks 11th (tied with 6 others) of 58 for combined mileage (23 mpg), 6th (tied with 2 others) of 55 for yearly fuel cost ($2,700 for its cheapest version, cheapest first) and 19th of 58 for tailpipe CO2 (390 grams per mile for its lowest version, lowest first). The middle model of the class gets 21 mpg, costs $3,500 a year and puts out 426 grams per mile.
Across all 235 2026 models in the file that burn fuel, the middle best-version figure is 24 mpg and the highest is 57 mpg (Toyota Prius). Of the 234 other models, 127 get more miles per gallon than the 2026 Pathfinder's best version, 20 other models get the same and 87 get less. The 2026 Pathfinder's cheapest version costs $2,700 a year to fuel by the agency's figure; of the 225 other models with a cost figure, 88 cost less, 6 the same and 131 more.
Nearest models in the class (places 11 to 18 of 58)
Open the best-mileage list of this class for 2026. Cost and CO2 in the table are each model's lowest figure over its versions; plug-in hybrid and fuel-cell versions have no fuel cost and are left out of the cost column.
| Place | Model | Best version | mpg | Fuel a year, cheapest version | CO2 g/mi, lowest version |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 2026 BMW X7 | 2026 X7 xDrive40i | 23 | $3,350 | 387 |
| 11 | 2026 Ford Explorer | 2026 Explorer AWD (4-cyl 2.3 L) | 23 | $2,700 | 394 |
| 11 | 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee | 2026 Grand Cherokee 4xe | 23 | $2,850 | 177 |
| 11 | 2026 Nissan PathfinderThis car | 2026 Pathfinder 4WD | 23 | $2,700 | 390 |
| 11 | 2026 Toyota 4Runner | 2026 4Runner Hybrid 4WD (Part-time 4-wheel) | 23 | $2,700 | 380 |
| 11 | 2026 Toyota Land Cruiser | 2026 Land Cruiser | 23 | $3,350 | 379 |
| 18 | 2026 Audi Q7 | 2026 Q7 | 22 | $3,500 | 405 |
Your fuel cost
Pick a 2026 version, then set your miles and fuel price. Fuel price as of 2026-11-14, U.S. Department of Energy / EPA. The price box starts at the dated price of the fuel the picked version burns (regular, midgrade or premium gasoline, diesel, E85 or electricity) and sets the price of that fuel. Miles are limited to 1,000 to 60,000 a year and the price to $0.01 to $20.00; a value outside that is worked out at the nearest limit.
2026 Pathfinder 2WD, 6-cyl 3.5 L: 21 mpg city, 27 highway, 23 combined. The agency's own estimate for the 2026 Pathfinder version is $2,700 a year (15,000 miles, the agency's fuel prices).
Compare with a rival
The 3 nearest rivals in the Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD class for 2026, picked by closest combined mileage; only versions with a fuel-cost figure are listed. Same miles as on the left. The price box on the left is the price of the fuel of the version you picked: a rival that burns the same fuel uses that price, a rival that burns another fuel keeps the dated price of its own fuel. The 5-year line is 5 times the yearly gap.
The Pathfinder costs $659 less to fuel each year.
Over 5 years the Pathfinder costs $3,295 less to fuel than the X6 (5 times the yearly difference, at these miles and these prices).
- 2026 BMW X6
- 2026 BMW X7
- 2026 Ford Explorer
The Pathfinder against its nearest rivals
Dollar gaps use each car's best-mileage version.
| Rival in 2026 | Best version | Combined | Fuel a year, agency (15,000 miles) | Against the Pathfinder (mileage) | Agency yearly fuel cost against the Pathfinder | Side by side |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 BMW X6 | 2026 X6 xDrive40i | 23 mpg | $3,350 | same figure | $650 more a year | - |
| 2026 BMW X7 | 2026 X7 xDrive40i | 23 mpg | $3,350 | same figure | $650 more a year | - |
| 2026 Ford Explorer | 2026 Explorer AWD (4-cyl 2.3 L) | 23 mpg | $2,700 | same figure | same | Compare |
Every version of the 2026 Nissan Pathfinder
EPA test figures for 2026; the last column is the yearly fuel cost against the cheapest version.
| Version | Engine | Gearbox | Drive | City | Highway | Combined | Fuel a year | CO2 g/mi | Fuel vs cheapest |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Pathfinder 2WD | 6-cyl 3.5 L | Automatic (S9) | Front-wheel | 21 | 27 | 23 | $2,700 | 382 | cheapest |
| 2026 Pathfinder 4WD | 6-cyl 3.5 L | Automatic (S9) | 4-wheel | 21 | 26 | 23 | $2,700 | 390 | cheapest |
| 2026 Pathfinder 4WD Platinum | 6-cyl 3.5 L | Automatic (S9) | 4-wheel | 20 | 25 | 22 | $2,850 | 408 | +$150 |
| 2026 Pathfinder 4WD Rock Creek | 6-cyl 3.5 L | Automatic (S9) | 4-wheel | 20 | 23 | 21 | $3,700 | 422 | +$1,000 |
Does a cheaper-to-fuel 2026 version pay back?
Enter the price difference you were quoted for the 2026 Pathfinder; this page has no prices. Miles come from the calculator. The fuel price box there sets the price of the fuel of the version picked there; a version here that burns another fuel keeps the dated price of its own fuel. Versions with no fuel-cost figure are not listed.
Type the price difference you were quoted to see the payback.
Emissions
Tailpipe CO2: the 2026 Pathfinder 2WD puts out 382 grams per mile; across the 4 tested versions the figure runs from 382 to 422.
EPA scores (1 to 10, 10 best) for the 2026 Pathfinder 2WD: fuel economy score 5 (4 to 5 across versions), greenhouse gas score 5 (4 to 5 across versions).
Mileage by model year
Best combined figure of the Pathfinder gas version each model year since 2016, set against the 2026 model.
| Model year | Best gas version | Versions tested | Against 2026 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 23 mpg | 3 | same as 2026 | |
| 2017 | 23 mpg | 3 | same as 2026 | |
| 2018 | 23 mpg | 3 | same as 2026 | |
| 2019 | 23 mpg | 3 | same as 2026 | |
| 2020 | 23 mpg | 3 | same as 2026 | |
| 2022 | 23 mpg | 3 | same as 2026 | |
| 2023 | 23 mpg | 4 | same as 2026 | |
| 2024 | 23 mpg | 4 | same as 2026 | |
| 2025 | 23 mpg | 4 | same as 2026 | |
| 2026This page | 23 mpg | 4 | this page |
Compared with the 2025 model: 4 versions were tested then and 4 now; the best figure went from 23 to 23 mpg (no change).
| Version in 2026 | 2026 | 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Pathfinder 2WD, 6-cyl 3.5 L | 23 mpg | 23 mpg | no change |
| 2026 Pathfinder 4WD, 6-cyl 3.5 L | 23 mpg | 23 mpg | no change |
| 2026 Pathfinder 4WD Platinum, 6-cyl 3.5 L | 22 mpg | 22 mpg | no change |
| 2026 Pathfinder 4WD Rock Creek, 6-cyl 3.5 L | 21 mpg | 21 mpg | no change |
Safety record
Crash-test ratings, 2026
Crash-test stars from the U.S. safety agency's 5-Star Safety Ratings, checked 2026-11-14. 5 is the best.
| Vehicle | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 NISSAN PATHFINDER SUV N/A AWD | 5 of 5 | 4 of 5 | 5 of 5 | 4 of 5 |
| 2026 NISSAN PATHFINDER SUV N/A FWD | 5 of 5 | 4 of 5 | 5 of 5 | 4 of 5 |
The agency lists 2 variants; all 2 are shown.
The agency's record for the first rated vehicle also lists 15 complaints, 0 recalls, 0 investigations.
Owner complaints, 2026
15 complaints for the 2026 Nissan Pathfinder are on file (checked 2026-11-14). Complaints are reports that owners sent to the safety agency. They are not proven defects, and the counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold.
| Part named in the reports | Reports | |
|---|---|---|
| Power Train | 4 | |
| Service Brakes | 3 | |
| Unknown Or Other | 3 | |
| Electrical System | 2 | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 2 |
3 of the 15 reports say the car was in a crash, 0 mention a fire and 1 mentions an injury. One report can name more than one part.
Safety recalls
The U.S. safety agency's model list has the 2026 Nissan Pathfinder (as PATHFINDER). The U.S. safety agency's database returned no recalls for the 2026 Nissan Pathfinder on 2026-11-14. Recalls can be added later; check your own car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
More Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD for 2026
Other 2026 models of the same agency class, each with its best combined figure. The Pathfinder itself is at 23 mpg.
Other Nissan models of 2026
More Nissan models that have a 2026 page here, with the class of each and its best combined figure.
Common questions
Which 2026 Nissan Pathfinder gets the best mileage?
The 2026 Pathfinder 2WD with 23 mpg combined (21 city, 27 highway).
How much does a 2026 Nissan Pathfinder cost to fuel for a year?
The 2026 Nissan Pathfinder costs between $2,700 and $3,700 to fuel by the agency's estimate, which assumes 15,000 miles a year. The cheapest is the 2026 Pathfinder 2WD at $2,700; the dearest is the 2026 Pathfinder 4WD Rock Creek at $3,700. Use the calculator above for your own miles and fuel price.
What mileage does the all-wheel-drive Pathfinder get?
2026 Pathfinder 4WD: 23 mpg combined (21 city, 26 highway); 2026 Pathfinder 4WD Platinum: 22 mpg combined (20 city, 25 highway); 2026 Pathfinder 4WD Rock Creek: 21 mpg combined (20 city, 23 highway).
How does the 2026 Nissan Pathfinder rank among 2026 Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD models?
The 2026 Nissan Pathfinder is 11th of 58 for combined mileage. The top of the class is the 2026 Toyota Highlander at 35 mpg, and the middle figure for the class is 21 mpg. In the list, the next one ahead is the 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee at 23 mpg and the next one behind is the 2026 Toyota 4Runner at 23 mpg.
Did the Pathfinder change from 2025 to 2026?
The 2025 model had 4 tested versions and the 2026 model has 4. The best figure went from 23 to 23 mpg (no change).
How did the 2026 Nissan Pathfinder do in crash tests?
In the agency's 5-Star Safety Ratings (checked 2026-11-14; 5 is the best), the stars are 2026 NISSAN PATHFINDER SUV N/A AWD: overall 5 of 5, front 4, side 5, rollover 4; 2026 NISSAN PATHFINDER SUV N/A FWD: overall 5 of 5, front 4, side 5, rollover 4. The agency lists 2 variants; all 2 are shown.
Do owners complain about the 2026 Nissan Pathfinder?
15 complaints for the 2026 Nissan Pathfinder are on file at the safety agency (checked 2026-11-14); the part named most often is Power Train (4 reports). Complaints are reports owners sent in, not proven defects.
Does the 2026 Nissan Pathfinder have recalls?
The agency's database returned no recalls for the 2026 Nissan Pathfinder on 2026-11-14 (its model list has this car). Check your own car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
How fresh these numbers are
For the 2026 Nissan Pathfinder: EPA file 2026-11-04; fuel price 2026-11-14; crash tests 2026-11-14; complaints 2026-11-14; recalls 2026-11-14. Not covered: purchase price, towing, reliability, repair and insurance costs.
Mileage and fuel cost for the 2026 Nissan Pathfinder: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, fueleconomy.gov vehicle file (file dated 2026-11-04). Recalls for the 2026 Nissan Pathfinder: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (checked 2026-11-14). Crash-test ratings for the 2026 Nissan Pathfinder: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (checked 2026-11-14). Complaints for the 2026 Nissan Pathfinder: NHTSA (checked 2026-11-14). Fuel prices: U.S. Department of Energy / EPA (2026-11-14). Your own mileage depends on how and where you drive. Where our numbers come from.