• More seats: The Nissan Pathfinder seats up to eight, while the Explorer seats up to seven. 
• More towing: Properly equipped, the Pathfinder tows up to 6,000 pounds versus 5,000 for the Explorer.* 
• Standard safety suite: Safety Shield® 360 and ProPILOT Assist come standard on every Nissan Pathfinder trim. 

The Nissan Pathfinder leads in seating, towing, and standard driver assistance, while the Explorer leads in base horsepower. The table below lines up the numbers families compare most. 

That extra seat and the 1,000-pound towing edge are the numbers most families feel first. The Explorer's turbocharged four-cylinder makes more torque, while the Pathfinder answers with a naturally aspirated V6 and a smooth 9-speed automatic. 

The Nissan Pathfinder tows up to 6,000 pounds when properly equipped, compared with 5,000 pounds across the Explorer lineup.* Its 3.5-liter V6 pairs with a 9-speed automatic, and a dedicated Tow mode adjusts the drive for a loaded trailer on the run down I-495 toward Cape Cod campgrounds. 

The Explorer offers an available 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 with 400 horsepower on ST, Tremor, and Platinum, though its towing rating stays at 5,000 pounds. The Pathfinder adds seven Drive and Terrain Modes, including Mud/Rut, Sand, and Snow, while the Rock Creek trim steps up to 295 horsepower and all-terrain tires for rougher weekend trails. 

The Pathfinder seats up to eight with its standard second-row bench, while the Explorer tops out at seven. Available captain's chairs turn the Pathfinder into a seven-seater with an easy path to the third row, ideal for a hockey carpool to the New England Sports Center in Marlborough. 

The Explorer offers more second- and third-row legroom, 37.5 and 31.8 inches versus 35.5 and 28. The Pathfinder counters with 44.3 inches of front legroom and 16.6 cubic feet behind the third row, slightly more than the Explorer's 16.3. Heated front seats come standard on every Pathfinder, and an available panoramic moonroof brightens all three rows. 

Every Nissan Pathfinder includes Safety Shield® 360, ProPILOT Assist, Intelligent Cruise Control with full-speed range and hold, and front and rear parking sensors.** The available HD Enhanced Intelligent Around View® Monitor adds class-exclusive Invisible Hood View, helping you spot curbs and obstacles right in front of your wheels. 

The Explorer includes Ford Co-Pilot360® with Adaptive Cruise Control and offers available BlueCruise hands-free highway driving. The Pathfinder backs its tech with real-world results: the 2026 model earned an IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK and a 5-Star Overall Vehicle Safety Rating from NHTSA. On a stop-and-go Mass Pike commute toward Boston, ProPILOT Assist helps you keep pace and stay centered in your lane.