The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder is the latest version of Nissan’s SUV. It has seating for up to eight people, and also offers the benefits of all-wheel drive. It even boasts a towing capacity of 6,000 pounds, which means it can beat out rivals like the Kia Telluride and Toyota Highlander. Is the Nissan Pathfinder Rock Creek actually good off-road, though?

Will there be a 2023 Nissan Pathfinder?

There is a new Nissan Pathfinder SUV for 2023, and there are some exciting upgrades about it. Nissan is adding the Rock Creek trim for this model year. This trim level will help Nissan’s big SUV handle some light off-road use. And that is ideal for someone who wants a family SUV that can still go on adventures. 

Now, the Pathfinder Rock Creek will not compete with something like the Jeep Wrangler, but that’s not really the point. Nissan says the Rock Creek Pathfinder comes with something known as an Intelligent 4×4 system. This pairs up to a rigid chassis, making for a fairly capable SUV. 

The 2023 Pathfinder Rock Creek is an adventure SUV

Some folks need the space of a full-size SUV, but don’t want to give out some of the adventure features. With the 2023 Nissan Pathfinder Rock Creek, that is what you will find. Nissan does have a bit of a reputation for not being the best car company. But in recent years, the brand has been making some pretty significant strides with its products. 

According to Car and Driver, the Rock Creek might look the part of a rugged vehicle. But, does it have the chops to back it up? Ultimately, if you just want to do some light adventuring, the 2023 Pathfinder Rock Creek is a decent option. 

It comes standard with all-terrain tires, which might compromise on-road performance. And, it does come with a more powerful engine. Nissan has been able to pull 295 horsepower and 270 pound-foot of torque from the 3.5-liter V6 engine. So, it’s nice to see some extra pep with this three-row SUV. 

The Rock Creek trim is no longer just in appearance package

Before the 2023 Nissan Pathfinder, the optional Rock Creek package was simply meant for appearance upgrades. Now, this option actually changes some important components to make the Pathfinder just a little bit more capable. 

Additions include Toyo Open Country all-terrain tires along with a revised suspension. You do still get some visual changes as well. These include special wheels and modified styling. Overall, even if the Pathfinder Rock Creek is not the most capable off-road SUV, it does look the part. 

How expensive is the Nissan Pathfinder?

The Pathfinder Rock Creek has a starting MSRP of $42,820. This does make it more expensive than the base models, but it is also cheaper than something like the 2023 Nissan Pathfinder Platinum. 

For the price, you get standard 4WD and a number of different features. Generally speaking, the Rock Creek trim will likely appeal to a certain demographic. It still offers the benefits of three rows of seating, but you get a slightly more rugged family SUV.