As car enthusiasts living in the Upper Valley region of New Hampshire and Vermont, we've had the chance to get behind the wheel of many of the most popular midsize SUVs on the market. After putting them to the test, we can confidently say that the Nissan Pathfinder is the clear winner in my book. Here's how it stacks up against top competitors like the Honda Pilot, Kia Telluride, Hyundai Palisade, and Chevy Traverse.
The Nissan Pathfinder immediately caught our attention right off the bat with its bold, modern exterior styling. The V-motion grille, sleek LED headlights, and floating roof design give it a premium look that stands out from the crowd. Whether I'm driving through downtown Lebanon, NH, or cruising along the scenic roads of Hanover, NH, the Pathfinder always turns heads.
In contrast, the Honda Pilot, while still a handsome vehicle, has a more conventional crossover SUV appearance. It lacks some of the Pathfinder's edgier, upscale design elements. On drives around West Lebanon, NH, the Pilot just wouldn't command the same attention as the eye-catching Pathfinder.
Stepping inside the Nissan Pathfinder feels like entering the first-class cabin of a luxury jet. The spacious interior is appointed with high-end materials like available semi-aniline leather-appointed seats, brushed bronze metallic accents, and open-pore wood trim. Heated and ventilated front seats, tri-zone automatic climate control, and a panoramic moonroof are just a few of the premium features that make every drive a joy, whether running errands in Claremont, NH, or taking a weekend getaway to Hartford, VT.
The Kia Telluride also has a well-designed interior with quality materials and handy convenience features like one-touch sliding and folding 2nd-row seats and a third row with enough room for grade school children to sit comfortably. In addition, the smart key with push-button start and quiet mode add to the interior comfort and ambiance set by the Kia Telluride. However, the overall fit and finish doesn't quite match the Pathfinder's first-class accommodations and luxury touches.
When it comes to staying connected and protected on the go, the Nissan Pathfinder leads the pack. The standard 8-inch or available 9-inch color touchscreen display is your command center for features like wireless Apple CarPlay®, Android Auto™, and a WiFi hotspot. And with Nissan Safety Shield 360, you get a suite of six advanced safety features, including Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, as standard equipment. If you travel between Lebanon, NH, and Hartford, VT, for work, you'll have peace of mind knowing you and your family are surrounded by these active safety systems.
The Hyundai Palisade also offers some impressive tech, like a fully digital 12.3-inch touchscreen with navigation and an available Blind-Spot View Monitor. It has a solid array of standard and available safety features as well. But the Pathfinder still comes out ahead with its user-friendly infotainment system, comprehensive driver-assist technologies, and available ProPILOT Assist semi-autonomous driving system, which helps take the stress out of my commutes to Claremont, NH.
Under the hood, the Nissan Pathfinder flexes its muscle with a potent 3.5-liter Direct Injection V6 gasoline engine that produces an impressive 284 horsepower with an EPA-estimated 21/27 MPG city/highway- and an available 295 horsepower engine in the Rock Creed off-road edition. So, when you need to make a quick pass on I-89 near West Lebanon, NH, the Pathfinder responds with strong, linear acceleration. The standard 9-speed automatic transmission serves up smooth, decisive shifts for a polished driving feel.
The Chevy Traverse is powered by a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 328 horsepower and an EPA_estimated 19/24 MPG city/highway. In a real-world comparison in Hanover, NH, the Pathfinder's throttle response is more immediate and satisfying. Combined with the Pathfinder's confident, composed handling, the overall performance is simply more engaging.
After spending time in all of these popular midsize SUVs, the Nissan Pathfinder is our clear favorite for obvious and non-obvious reasons. With its exquisite exterior design, first-class interior accommodations, next-gen tech, and safety features, the Pathfinder outshines rivals like the Honda Pilot, Kia Telluride, Hyundai Palisade, and Chevy Traverse. Put one to your test here at Nissan of Lebanon near Claremont, NH.
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