Compare the2026 Toyota 4Runner VS 2026 Nissan Pathfinder

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Toyota 4Runner achieved a “Good” rating - the highest possible - in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, outperforming the Nissan Pathfinder, which scored only an “Acceptable” in these critical safety features.

The 4Runner has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Pathfinder doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

The Toyota 4Runner comes with a standard Panoramic View/Multi-Terrain Monitor and it also offers an optional rear camera washer to make backing always safe, regardless of road dirt or grime, while the Nissan Pathfinder doesn’t offer a camera washer, requiring manual cleaning.

Both the 4Runner and Pathfinder have Rear Cross Traffic Alert, but the 4Runner Limited/Platinum/Trailhunter/TRD Pro has Parking Support Brake (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Pathfinder’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the 4Runner and the Pathfinder have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors, available four-wheel drive and around view monitors.

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4189-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Toyota 4Runner is safer than the Pathfinder:

	4Runner	Pathfinder
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Structure	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	30	125
Neck Tension	89 lbs.	268 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	GOOD
Shoulder Deflection	.43 in	.63 in
Torso Max Deflection	.79 in	.94 in
Torso Deflection Rate	5 MPH	5 MPH
Pelvis	GOOD	MARGINAL
Pelvis Force	446 lbs.	1160 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	51	65
Neck Tension	67 lbs.	89 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	GOOD
Pelvis	GOOD	GOOD
Pelvis Force	424 lbs.	580 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the 4Runner for 2 years and 25000 miles. Toyota will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Nissan doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Pathfinder.

There are over 17 percent more Toyota dealers than there are Nissan dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the 4Runner’s warranty.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the 4Runner’s reliability 41 points higher than the Pathfinder.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 53 more problems per 100 vehicles, Nissan is ranked 23rd.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2026 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota first in overall reliability. Nissan is ranked 6th.

The 4Runner has more powerful engines than the Pathfinder:

	Horsepower	Torque
4Runner 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder	278 HP	317 lbs.-ft.
4Runner Trailhunter 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid	323 HP	465 lbs.-ft.
4Runner 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid	326 HP	465 lbs.-ft.
Pathfinder 3.5 DOHC V6	284 HP	259 lbs.-ft.
Pathfinder Rock Creek 3.5 DOHC V6	295 HP	270 lbs.-ft.

As tested in Car and Driver the 4Runner Trailhunter 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid is faster than the Nissan Pathfinder (base engine):

	4Runner	Pathfinder
Zero to 60 MPH	6.7 sec	6.8 sec
Passing 50 to 70 MPH	4.8 sec	5 sec

On the EPA test cycle the 4Runner gets better mileage than the Pathfinder:

			MPG
4Runner
	AWD	2.4 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	23 city/24 hwy
		SR5/TRD Sport 2.4 turbo 4-cyl.	19 city/25 hwy
		Limited 2.4 turbo 4-cyl.	20 city/24 hwy
Pathfinder
	AWD	Platinum 3.5 DOHC V6	20 city/25 hwy
		3.5 DOHC V6	20 city/23 hwy

Regenerative brakes improve the 4Runner i-FORCE MAX’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Pathfinder doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Toyota 4Runner uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Pathfinder Rock Creek requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The 4Runner has a standard locking fuel door with a power remote release convenient to the driver. The fuel filler door is not lockable on the Pathfinder. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Toyota 4Runner higher (6 out of 10) than the Nissan Pathfinder (4). This means the 4Runner produces up to 12.1 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Pathfinder every 15,000 miles.

The 4Runner stops much shorter than the Pathfinder:

	4Runner	Pathfinder
70 to 0 MPH	170 feet	179 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	117 feet	130 feet	Motor Trend

For better traction, the 4Runner TRD Sport/Limited/Platinum’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Pathfinder (265/55R20 vs. 255/60R18).

The Toyota 4Runner’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Nissan Pathfinder only has 5 wheel lugs per wheel.

The 4Runner has a standard full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the Pathfinder; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which limits mileage and speed before replacement.

The 4Runner offers an active front sway bar, which helps keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnects at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The Pathfinder doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The 4Runner offers an available driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The Pathfinder’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The 4Runner’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (49.4% to 50.6%) than the Pathfinder’s (54.6% to 45.4%). This gives the 4Runner more stable handling and braking.

The 4Runner TRD Off-Road Premium executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Pathfinder Platinum (28 seconds @ .6 average G’s vs. 28.4 seconds @ .59 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the 4Runner SR5 has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Pathfinder (8.1 vs. 7.1 inches), allowing the 4Runner to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The 4Runner Trailhunter/TRD Pro’s minimum ground clearance is 2.4 inches higher than on the Pathfinder Rock Creek (10.1 vs. 7.7 inches).

The 4Runner’s cargo area provides more volume than the Pathfinder.

	4Runner	Pathfinder
Third Seat Folded	44.8 cubic feet	45 cubic feet
Third Seat Removed	48.4 cubic feet	n/a
Second Seat Folded	84.4 cubic feet	80.5 cubic feet

The 4Runner’s rear cargo window opens separately from the rest of the liftgate door to allow quicker loading of small packages. The Pathfinder’s rear cargo window doesn’t open.

The 4Runner’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Pathfinder’s (6000 vs. 3500 pounds).

The engine in the 4Runner is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Pathfinder. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because there are no rear spark plugs and the accessory belts are in front.

The 4Runner’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Pathfinder does not have an oil pressure gauge.

If the windows are left open on the 4Runner the driver can close all of them at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. (This window function must be activated by your Toyota service department.) The driver of the Pathfinder can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The 4Runner’s available headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the Pathfinder’s headlights are rated “Acceptable.”

According to iSeeCars.com the 2026 Toyota 4Runner retains 69.9% of its original value after 5 years, significantly more than the 44.19% resale value of the 2026 Nissan Pathfinder after five years, which can save the Toyota’s owner up to $8044 in depreciation.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Toyota 4Runner and the Nissan Pathfinder, based on reliability, safety and performance.