Drivers who love Nissan SUVs but want more capability will appreciate the newest Pathfinder hitting the pavement. The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder Rock Creek received features like bigger tires, upgraded suspension, and a rugged roof rack. All that and more help this Nissan sport utility vehicle become a well-rounded and rugged option that makes the daily drive a little more interesting.

The gas mileage for the 2023 Nissan Pathfinder Rock Creek

In a recent press release from Nissan, the gas mileage for the 2023 Nissan Pathfinder Rock Creek is listed as 20 mpg in the city, 23 mpg on the highway, and 21 mpg combined. For those who go with the regular Pathfinder, that jumped up to 20 mpg in the city, 27 mpg on the highway, and 23 mpg combined.

The Rock Creek SUV gets a 3.5L V6 engine with 295 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque with premium fuel. Nissan paired that with an automatic transmission that has a stop/start mode for increased fuel economy. Upgrading to the Rock Creek trim starts at $42,820 for 2023.

Sometimes the cargo area is sacrificed for better upgrades elsewhere, but that isn’t the case with the Pathfinder. The cargo area has 16.6 cubic feet of storage with all the rows in place, or 80.5 cubic feet of space with the two rows folded. Adventurers can pack the cargo hold with supplies and utilize the roof rack when that space runs out.

Is the Nissan Pathfinder Rock Creek a good buy?

Beyond its fuel economy, the 2023 Nissan Pathfinder Rock Creek is a brand-new SUV with plenty to offer. The Pathfinder has been on the market for almost four decades, and Nissan knows something about SUVs. Fresh off a redesign last year, Nissan made some thoughtful upgrades to the Pathfinder to make it even more well-rounded.

Second-row folding captain’s chairs bring the seating capacity to seven, making the third row more accessible. Beyond that, the third row has 60/40 folding seats that fold flat for more functional storage. Some standard features included with Nissan’s Safety Shield 360 technology are Blind Spot Warning, Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, and Lane Departure Warning. That system also includes Rear Cross Traffic Alert, High Beam Assist, and Rear Automatic Braking. Nissan has systems to keep the driver alert and a rear seat reminder to remind the driver to check for precious cargo.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the 2023 Nissan Pathfinder high scores on most of its tests. This resulted in the Pathfinder becoming a Top Safety Pick Plus winner.

What is the ground clearance of the Rock Creek?

Nissan equipped the 2023 Pathfinder Rock Creek with a 5/8-inch suspension lift and 18-inch wheels with all-terrain tires. On top, a tubular roof rack with a 220-pound capacity is a helpful addition, and the maximum towing capacity jumps up to 6,000 pounds. The Pathfinder Rock Creek has 7.7 inches of ground clearance, while the standard Pathfinder is only 7.1 inches. 

Nissan designed the Pathfinder Rock Creek for the daily drive, the occasional cross-country trip, and the weekend trip into the woods. The Pathfinder checks all those boxes for a capable and comfortable three-row SUV.