2023 Nissan Pathfinder vs. 2023 Ford Explorer Comparison

Looking for a great midsize SUV? The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder and Ford Explorer are two great options. Learn more about both of them in our comparison of the Nissan Pathfinder vs. Ford Explorer below. 

2023 Nissan Pathfinder

The Nissan Pathfinder is a great midsize SUV option with plenty of seating capacity, a great interior, and lots of great technology. This is also a very affordable option. 

2023 Ford Explorer

The Ford Explorer is a tech-savvy SUV option with a performance oriented trim and a pretty powerful V6 engine option. 

Pathfinder vs. Explorer: At a Glance

Overall, the Pathfinder is the more affordable and family-friendly option. The Ford Explorer does offer you a performance-oriented trim and some off-road features.

Nissan Pathfinder vs. Ford Explorer Interior

On the inside of the Nissan Pathfinder, you can find three rows of seating with seating for seven or eight people, depending on the trim and  whether you have a second row bench seat or second row captain's chairs. This vehicle comes with standard cloth upholstery, but there are interior upgrades like leather upholstery, a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat, heated seats, and ventilated seats. 

When it comes to cargo space, the Nissan Pathfinder provides up to 16.6 cubic feet of storage space behind the third row of seating, 45 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear row folded down, and up to 80.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the second and third rows of seating folded down. 

The Ford Explorer can seat six or seven people. This vehicle has an option of a second row bench seat or second row captain's chairs to give you the number of seats you prefer. The last row is pretty small and only really has room for two people. This vehicle comes standard with cloth upholstery, but there are available synthetic and genuine leather upholstery options, as well as interior features like heated seats, a heated steering wheel, and ventilated seats. 

For cargo space in the Ford Explorer, you have 18.2 cubic feet of space behind the rear row of seats. If you fold down the rear row, you can get up to 47.9 cubic feet of cargo space, and if you fold down the second and third rows of seating, you can get up to 87.8 cubic feet of cargo space. 

Nissan Pathfinder vs. Ford Explorer Exterior

The 2023 Pathfinder measures 16.5 feet in length. This vehicle has exterior features like LED headlights, LED taillights, LED fog lights, heated outside mirrors, raised roof rails, a hands-free power liftgate, a moonroof, rear privacy glass, all-terrain tires, and 20-inch aluminum alloy wheels. 

The 2023 Explorer is 16.6 feet long. This SUV offers you exterior features like adaptive LED headlights, 20-inch wheels, all-terrain tires, a twin-panel moonroof, roof rails, and a hands-free power liftgate. 

Compare Nissan Pathfinder and Ford Explorer Performance

When comparing the Nissan Pathfinder's  vs. Ford Explorer's performance, you'll find that both vehicles are fairly similar.

The 2023 Pathfinder is home to a standard 3.5-liter V6 engine that provides you with 284-horsepower and 259 pound-feet of torque. There is also a slightly more powerful version of this engine available in certain trim levels. This more powerful V6 engine gives you 295-horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque. Both engines are paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard, though four-wheel drive is available. 

The Nissan Pathfinder has a few off-road type features included in trims such as the Rock Creek Edition, such as a tuned suspension, an off-road camera system, and all-terrain tires. The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder can also tow up to 6,000 pounds when properly equipped.

There are two different engine options in the Ford Explorer. The base engine for this SUV is a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine that gives you 300-horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. Your other engine option is a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine that gives you 400-horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. These engines are both paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The 2023 Explorer has standard rear-wheel drive, but there is four-wheel drive available. 

You also do have the ability to do some basic off-roading in the 2023 Explorer with features like all-terrain tires, off-road shocks, a limited-slip differential, and skid plates. This SUV can tow up to 5,600 pounds when it is properly equipped. 

Fuel Efficiency Comparison

When it comes to fuel efficiency, comparing the Nissan Pathfinder vs. Ford Explorer results in a close tie. The Nissan Pathfinder is rated for up to 21 city mpg and 27 highway mpg. In the Ford Explorer, you can expect to get up to 21 city mpg and 28 highway mpg with the four-cylinder engine for fuel efficiency. For fuel efficiency in the V6 engine of the Explorer, you can get up to 18 city mpg and 26 highway mpg. 

Safety and Technology Differences

When it comes to safety and technology features, both of these vehicles have a lot to offer you. They both have standard rear view cameras, forward collision warning, forward automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, driver attention monitoring, rear parking sensors, and automatic high-beam headlights. The Nissan Pathfinder has standard blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert. Both vehicles also have available safety features like a surround-view parking camera system, adaptive cruise control, and front parking sensors. 

In terms of technology, both vehicles have an infotainment system with a standard 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, USB ports, and voice recognition. The Ford Explorer does have a standard Wi-Fi hotspot, but in the Pathfinder you have to upgrade to get that Wi-Fi hotspot. They both have wireless device charging available, a remote start system, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a household-style outlet, and navigation available. The Ford Explorer has the option of a 10.1-inch touchscreen upgrade, but in the Pathfinder you only have an available 9-inch touchscreen. The Ford Explorer also has a premium 14-speaker Bang & Olufsen stereo available, and the Pathfinder has a 13-inch Bose audio system available. 

Pricing and Value

The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder has a starting price of around $35,200, and it can go up to a price of just over $48,000, depending on the trim option you choose. The 2023 Ford Explorer has a starting price of around $36,750, and it can go up to a price of around $54,000. The Nissan Pathfinder starts at a more affordable price, and it stays more affordable than the Explorer, while still providing a lot of great features for your money.

Choosing The Right Model For You

When comparing the Nissan Pathfinder vs. Ford Explorer it can be tough to decide which of these vehicles is the right option for you. As you can see, both offer you some great features. You have to choose the option that gives you the most of what you want. For example, the Nissan Pathfinder has a higher towing capacity, more seating capacity, and it is more affordable, but the Ford Explorer has a couple more off-road features.

Get Your Nissan Pathfinder at Concord Nissan

As you can see, both of these vehicles are solid midsize SUV options, but the Nissan Pathfinder could be a great option for you. Reach out to us at Concord Nissan if you have any questions about the 2023 Pathfinder or would like to schedule a test drive.