If you're looking for a roomy SUV that can handle just about everything from carpools to family vacations, the mighty Nissan Pathfinder will check your boxes. Find out how the 2026 Pathfinder stacks up against the 2027 Telluride below!
Key Takeaways:
- For 2026, Nissan gave the Pathfinder a style refresh.
- Kia skipped the 2026 model year and dove right into 2027.
- The Pathfinder's power and towing numbers are superior to those of the Telluride.
What Upgrades Are Seen From the 2026 Nissan Pathfinder?
Nissan gave the Pathfinder a refresh for 2026, redesigning the grille, both bumpers, the wheels, and all the exterior lights. Inside, the cabin gets upgrades like a larger 12.3-inch infotainment screen and a faster wireless charging pad. The top-of-the-line Platinum trim also gets more upgrades.
Kia skipped this model year to give the Telluride a full reset. We'll get into its changes below.
What Engine Is Found in the 2026 Nissan Pathfinder
The Pathfinder's tried-and-true 3.5-liter V6 delivers 284 horsepower and 259 lb-ft (though the Rock Creek trim gets a little extra muscle for the terrain, at 295 horsepower). It pairs with a nine-speed automatic. Front-wheel drive is standard, but you can opt for Intelligent All-Wheel Drive on any trim, which offers different terrain modes, including mud, sand, or snow. The Pathfinder can tow up to 6,000 pounds.
The Telluride's 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine generates 274 ponies. It comes standard with an eight-speed automatic transmission, and you can get the Telluride with either front- or all-wheel drive.
Is the Front Wheel Drive Nissan Pathfinder Fuel Efficient?
The most fuel-efficient version of the Pathfinder is the front-wheel-drive configuration, which gets 21 mpg city, 27 highway, and 23 combined. Choosing the all-wheel-drive model keeps that same 23 mpg combined and matches 21 mpg city, but it drops just a bit to 26 mpg on the highway.
The Telluride's front-wheel-drive models deliver 20 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, and 22 mpg combined. Upgrading to all-wheel drive lowers those estimates to 18 mpg city, 24 mpg highway, and 20 mpg combined. If you look at the off-road-focused X-Pro, it's at the bottom of the lineup for efficiency, with ratings of 17 mpg city, 22 mpg highway, and 19 mpg combined.
Fuel Mileage
| 2026 Nissan Pathfinder |
2027 Kia Telluride |
| FWD: 21 city / 27 highway / 23 combined mpg |
FWD: 20 city / 26 highway / 22 combined mpg |
| AWD: 21 city / 26 highway / 23 combined mpg |
AWD: 18 city / 24 highway / 20 combined mpg |
Which Three-Row SUV Has More Modern Tech: The 2026 Nissan Pathfinder or the Kia Telluride?
The Pathfinder comes standard with a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen running NissanConnect's software interface with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM radio, and in-dash navigation. You can add a 12.3-inch digital gauge display, wireless charging pad, and head-up display. There's a basic six-speaker stereo, but you can get a 13-speaker Bose system as an option on the SL trim or standard on the Platinum.
The Telluride also features a standard 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, with an available 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster. It also includes standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus a built-in generative AI voice assistant. Standard audio here is a 12-speaker stereo, but you can upgrade to a 14-speaker Meridian system.
Is the 2026 Nissan Pathfinder Better than the Alan Jay Nissan?
While both of these SUVs are fantastic options, the Pathfinder's power and fuel efficiency keep it at the top spot in our showdown. We invite you to take a test drive today at Alan Jay Nissan--it's the Alan Jay Way!