2018 Nissan Pathfinder vs 2018 Toyota 4Runner

Midsize SUVs are growing rapidly in popularity all across St. Louis area roads, from St. Charles and Saint Peters to O'Fallon and beyond. It seems like every auto maker is trying to get in on the scene, and put out the best SUV for your dollar, and there aren't many companies out there that offer more value than Nissan and Toyota.

Two of the leading mid-size SUVs in the sector, in fact, are the Pathfinder and the 4Runner. While the 4Runner sticks to an old-fashioned truck-based construction, the Pathfinder is a smooth-riding crossover. Let's take a look at a few of the similarities and differences between the 2018 Nissan Pathfinder and the 2018 Toyota 4Runner, and find out where you can drive the winner.

2018 Nissan Pathfinder vs Toyota 4Runner Performance

In the end, just about everything about the new Toyota 4Runner is old-fashioned, including its body-on-frame construction. While in the past this was an indicator of a more performance- and power-oriented vehicle, that's simply not the case anymore. In fact, the 3.5-liter V6 driving the 2018 Nissan Pathfinder puts out 284 horsepower as compared to the 270 you get from the 4Runner's 4.0-liter V6.

It doesn't stop there, either. The Pathfinder is not only more powerful, it's more efficient as well. It can get up to 20 mpg city and 27 mpg highway (EPA-estimated). The 4Runner, on the other hand, gets only an EPA-estimated 17 mpg city and 21 on the highway. Finally, the Pathfinder has a maximum towing capacity properly equipped of 6,000 pounds. The 4Runner nets you only 5,000 pounds of towing.

What's New This Year?

If one of your benchmarks for new model vehicles is what they actually bring new to the table, you'll also appreciate the Pathfinder, which arrives in showrooms this year with standard automatic emergency braking at all trim levels, a rear-seat reminder system, extra device charging USB ports in the back, and expanded offerings of the adaptive cruise control package.

The 4Runner hits showroom floors pretty much unchanged. It's the same old, same old for Toyota this year.

Base Features

At the base level, the Pathfinder comes much more fully equipped than the 4Runner does as well. The 4Runner gives you keyless entry, power liftgate, power front seats, a 6.1-inch touchscreen, eight speakers, a single USB port, and satellite radio.

Compare that to the base S trim on the Patfhfinder, which gives you three-zone automatic climate control, keyless ignition and entry, emergency automatic braking for front crash mitigation, and the infotainment system features six speakers, HD radio, satellite radio, Bluetooth integration, 8-inch touchscreen, two USB media ports, and two charge-only USB ports in the back seat. It's a lot more robust at the base level.

Drive the Pathfinder at St. Charles Nissan

If you're in the O'Fallon or St. Louis areas, from St. Charles to Saint Peters and beyond, you can see the 2018 Nissan Pathfinder for yourself, and get behind the wheel! Just stop into St. Charles Nissan today and ask about hopping into the cabin for a test drive.