~ A DriveWays Review ~
by Frank A. Aukofer

With its 2024 Pathfinder Rock Creek Edition four-wheel-drive sport utility vehicle, Japan’s Nissan directs the audience’s focus to versatility and a reasonable price tag. This rugged hunk functions well as a civilized family station wagon and also as a machine that can conquer off-road terrain—as long as it’s not too challenging.

For one thing, it’s big. Off-road enthusiasts tend to prefer short-wheelbase vehicles like traditional Jeeps and Land Rovers to navigate the pockmarks of unpaved forest roads and no roads at all. The new Pathfinder stretches 16 feet 7 inches from bumper to bumper, is 6 feet 2 inches tall, weighs well over two tons, and can tow up to 6,000 pounds, or three tons.

It has been a mainstay of the Nissan lineup for 30 years, alternating between traditional truck-like body-on-frame and car-like unit body construction, where it has now settled.

There are five versions, or trim levels, for 2024: S, SV, SL, the Rock Creek Edition, and Platinum.

The Rock Creek model has a starting price of $43,305, including the destination charge—not outrageous given that the average price of a new car in the U.S. now is more than $48,000, and the as-tested price, with options, of the Pathfinder Rock Creek edition driven for this review, came to $44,965.

Power is provided by a slick, 3.5-liter V-6 engine that makes 295 horsepower and 270 pound feet of torque. It gets the grunt to all four wheels via a nine-speed automatic transmission, which replaces the previous continuously variable automatic transmission. The nine-speed has a tighter, more responsive feel through the rev range.

Independent tests have placed the Rock Creek Edition’s zero-to-60 miles an hour acceleration time in the six-second range, with a top speed of 120 miles an hour.

Fuel economy is not exceptional, with a city/highway/combined rating by the Environmental Protection Agency of 20/23/21 miles to the gallon—no surprise given the Pathfinder’s weight and billboard-like profile. Curiously, the EPA classifies the Pathfinder as a “small sport utility vehicle,” despite its three rows of seats and passenger/cargo volume of 148/17 cubic feet. The public generally views it as a midsize SUV.

The upside is that the Pathfinder is a decent long-distance road-runner. It cruises easily and quietly in a straight line, and has reasonably responsive handling in freeway traffic. True, it’s no sports sedan but there’s little driver fatigue during hours behind the wheel.

Contributing to the comfort are well-designed, well-bolstered seats in the first and second rows. On the tested Rock Creek Edition, the seats had plush, breathable cloth seating areas with leatherette trim, warm in the winter and cool in summertime. The driver’s seat also featured 10 power adjustments and a two-way power lumbar support.

Contributing to the comfort are a full suite of safety gear and tri-zone climate control. Standard equipment includes automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection, automatic rear braking, blind-spot monitoring and lane-departure warning. The tester also came with adaptive cruise control and a semi-autonomous driving mode.

The only option on the tested Pathfinder was a $340 package that included a roof rack, and all-season floor mats and cargo area protector.

In standard trim, the 2024 Pathfinder is an eight-passenger SUV with three rows of seats and a bench seat in the second row. The tested Rock Creek Edition, however, came with optional captain’s chairs in the second row, adjustable fore and aft, and divided by a removable center console.

Owners might want to remove that console to enhance third-row access because struggling to get back there is an unpleasant chore that should be reserved for kids or athletic young people.

Second-row captain’s chairs flip forward at the touch of a button, meaning the prospective third-row passenger outside must step way up and twist back there, where the seat bottoms are so low knees wind up at chest height and there’s little or no foot space unless the second-row seats were previously adjusted all the way forward. With the console removed, third-row passengers can simply enter and bypass the captain’s chairs.

With all the seats up, the cargo area’s 17 cubic feet of space could not accommodate all the luggage of seven passengers. Folding the third row converts the Pathfinder to a five-passenger vehicle with 45 cubic feet for cargo. There’s also a small cubby under the rear floorboard where valuables can be stashed out of sight.

Specifications

  • Model: 2024 Nissan Pathfinder Rock Creek Edition 4WD four-door, seven-passenger crossover sport utility vehicle.
  • Engine: 3.5-liter V-6; 295 hp, 270 lb-ft torque.
  • Transmission: Nine-speed automatic with manual shift mode and all-wheel drive.
  • Overall length: 16 feet 7 inches.
  • Height: 6 feet 2 inches.
  • EPA/SAE passenger/cargo volume: 148/17 cubic feet.
  • Weight: 4,580 pounds.
  • Towing capability: 6,000 pounds.
  • EPA city/highway/combined fuel consumption: 20/23/21 mpg. Premium fuel recommended.
  • Base price, including destination charge: $44,965.
  • Price as tested: $45,305.

Disclaimer: The manufacturer provided the vehicle used to conduct this test drive and review. Photos ©Nissan