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Photo:Â Ron Sessions
The Nissan Pathfinder competes in the Upper Midsize SUV market segment. According to data collected from verified new-vehicle buyers for the JD Power 2023 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study, Nissan Pathfinder owners rated their SUVs in 10 primary categories.
Listed below in descending order, you’ll find their preferences, from what they like most about the Pathfinder to what they like least:
In the 2023 APEAL Study, the Pathfinder ranks sixth out of 15 Upper Midsize SUV models.
In the following sections, our independent expert analyzes a 2024 Nissan Pathfinder Rock Creek equipped with the following options:
The test vehicle’s price was $45,755, including the $1,390 destination charge.
Photo:Â Ron Sessions
With its slightly raised suspension, all-terrain tires on beadlock-style wheels, blackout mesh grille and black bumpers, and sizeable tubular-style roof rack, the Pathfinder Rock Creek conveys the more aggressive and off-road-capable appearance of a dedicated overlander SUV.
The suspension lift is subtle and, at 0.6 inches, only about as long as an adult male thumbnail. The modest lift is still enough to afford the Rock Creek more generous approach, breakover, and departure angles. Greater ground clearance gives the ability to clear steep curbs and off-pavement obstacles more easily than other Pathfinder models.
The small amount of lift also means that getting into or out of the Rock Creek is no more adventuresome than in other Pathfinders. There’s no need for side steps due to the Rock Creek’s slight increase in step-in height.
Adding some pizzaz and off-road cred are 265/60R18 Toyo Open Country A/T tires wrapping distinctive, black-painted open-spoke alloy wheels with simulated beadlock rims. The all-terrain tires add some off-pavement bite with aggressive, open, knobby tread blocks wrapping partway up the sidewalls that can handle off-pavement encounters with greater confidence.
However, that open tread design does exact a price, with a pitch that increases with speed and is noticeable, especially on the highway. The Rock Creek’s tall, 60-series tires don’t enhance on-road handling or turn-in response, either.
The sturdy-looking tubular roof rack looks like something an aftermarket outfitter might provide and contributes to the Rock Creek’s overlander image. Its 220-pound-rated capacity adds considerable storage utility.
The Rock Creek is a bit more special than other 2024 Pathfinders because of its higher-output 3.5-liter V6 engine. Engineers equipped the Rock Creek’s version of the transverse-mounted V6 with the same tuning as the Infiniti QX60, bumping output from 284 to 295 horsepower and torque from 259 to 270 pound-feet.
To gain the extra 11 hp and 11 pound-feet of torque, the buyer must fill the Rock Creek’s 18.5-gallon fuel tank with more expensive premium unleaded instead of the regular unleaded recommended for other Pathfinder models.
The Rock Creek’s horsepower and torque ratings are 4 percent higher than standard Pathfinder fare—not anything most drivers will notice. However, some owners might notice that the Rock Creek’s EPA combined fuel-economy estimate of 21 mpg is 1-2 mpg lower than other 2024 Pathfinder trims. Lower fuel economy is likely due to the Rock Creek’s more aggressive tire tread pattern that increases rolling resistance, a fixed tubular roof rack, and an overall blunter front-end design, both of which reduce aerodynamic efficiency.
Equipped with the standard 9-speed automatic transmission, the Pathfinder Rock Creek test vehicle accelerated from rest to 60 mph in about 6.5 seconds, as observed by my stopwatch.
Photo:Â Ron Sessions
The beauty of the Rock Creek’s user-friendly 7-position Drive and Terrain Mode selector is the ease with which the driver can match the driving situation with the pictorial dial on the center console. You don’t need to intrinsically know how much throttle to apply or whether to engage 4WD for a given situation.
For example, selecting the snowflake icon, Snow Mode makes the right moves for you when the roads start to get slippery with the white stuff. Ditto for other driving situations with limited traction, such as sand or mud. Just turn the console-mounted mode selector dial to suit the applicable driving condition.
All 4WD 2024 Pathfinders, including the Rock Creek, come standard with Nissan Intelligent 4WD. This on-demand system apportions drive torque to the front and rear wheels based on available traction. It does not, however, manage the amount of drive torque side to side. Under dry street conditions, Nissan calibrated Intelligent 4WD to save fuel by powering only the front wheels unless there is reduced traction, at which point the system also directs a portion of drive torque to the rears.
There was no snow, mud, or rain to experience during my time in the Rock Creek. However, the system worked seamlessly when driving on dirt roads with loose desert sand and gravel patches. There are no differentials to lock, transfer-case levers to pull, or buttons to push. System software does that for the driver.
For particularly steep descents, the Pathfinder 4WD system includes standard hill-descent control, which allows the driver to set a maximum, drama-free off-road downhill speed without using the footbrake, allowing the Pathfinder’s traction control and anti-lock brake systems to do the work and the driver to concentrate on steering the vehicle.
Adding a dash of sportiness to the Pathfinder Rock Creek are its standard second-row captain’s chairs, which are an extra-cost option in the SV, SL, and Platinum trims that otherwise come standard with a 3-passenger 60/40 split-folding bench seat in the middle row. The individually adjustable, flat-folding, and reclining bucket seat-like captain’s chairs include inboard folding armrests that are heated in the Rock Creek and Platinum trims.
Pathfinders with the second-row captain’s chairs also feature a center console with a pair of cupholders and a large, open storage bin. The center console is easy to remove when not needed, making another way to access the tight, child-suitable third-row bench seat without folding and sliding forward a second-row seat to gain access. The third row continues to be tight on legroom for adults.
Photo:Â Ron Sessions
With a few conspicuous tweaks, the Rock Creek version of the 2024 Nissan Pathfinder transforms the already rugged and square-jawed 3-row midsize family hauler into a fairly reasonable facsimile of a dedicated overlanding SUV. Buyers will have to forgo amenities such as leather seats, a super-large infotainment screen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a wireless phone charger, and a hands-free liftgate but net an attractive, raised 4WD at an attractive price.
Ron Sessions is a seasoned vehicle evaluator with more than three decades of experience. He has penned hundreds of road tests for automotive and consumer websites, enthusiast magazines, newsletters, technical journals, and newspapers.
