3 Drawbacks Prevent the 2023 Nissan Pathfinder From Being Truly Great
The Nissan Pathfinder has been around for quite some time now. Though it’s more trusted than it once was, the 2023 Nissan Pathfinder is still viewed as a lesser SUV than many of its competitors. It’s not a bad SUV, but it has three drawbacks preventing it from competing with the more popular midsize SUV options.
1) The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder is less than reliable
One of the 2023 Nissan Pathfinder’s most significant drawbacks is that it’s unreliable. Sure, some owners may have zero problems with their Pathfinder, but the midsize Nissan SUV only has a 77 out of 100 predicted reliability score from J.D. Power. In addition, Consumer Reports says it will be less reliable than the average new vehicle.
Currently, complaints about the 2023 Pathfinder aren’t widespread, though there are reports of issues with the heater and windshields cracking unprovoked. However, the 2022 Pathfinder has received minor complaints about the transmission.
Most of them mention issues with shifting gears. Of course, predicted reliability scores don’t always end up being accurate, but the Pathfinder has a less-than-stellar reputation.
2) The 2023 Pathfinder isn’t the fastest
Another drawback to the 2023 Nissan Pathfinder is that it’s behind most of its rivals in terms of speed. According to Edmunds, the 2023 Pathfinder accelerates from 0 to 60 miles per hour between 7.3 and 8.6 seconds.
For comparison, the 2023 Honda Pilot takes 6.3 seconds. For further consideration, the base model of the 2023 Ford Explorer takes 6 seconds flat for the feat.
The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder has a 3.5-liter V6 engine with a maximum output of 284 horsepower. The vehicle comes standard as front-wheel drive and uses a nine-speed automatic transmission. It should be noted that the vehicle used a CVT up until the 2022 Pathfinder.
3) Lacks true off-roading ability
With a name like the Pathfinder, many would assume it would be an excellent option for off-roading. While not bad, it’s not nearly as strong as options from Jeep. One of the biggest reasons for this is its relatively low ground clearance.
The base model allows for 7.1 inches of ground clearance, while the latest Jeep Wrangler offers a minimum of 9.4 inches of clearance. However, the Rock Creek trim has slightly improved suspension for better off-roading capabilities.
The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder isn’t a bad midsize SUV. However, it falls behind the rest in many ways that matter to drivers. It delivers perfectly fine performance and has a modern look, but it’s simply not as evolved as other options like the 2023 Honda Pilot.
