Lincoln introduced the Aviator in 2003 as a three-row luxury SUV, but it shared its platform and its look with the Ford Explorer and Mercury Mountaineer. While it was more upscale than both, Aviator sales were still modest as buyers noticed the all-too-close family resemblance. As dealers struggled to move units, Lincoln discontinued the model line not long after its debut. The 2005 model year was the last of the Aviator for quite some time.
When Lincoln finally did revive the Aviator in 2020, it kept the Explorer’s platform but built a genuinely different vehicle around it, one with a twin-turbocharged V6, hands-free highway driving tech, and an interior that justified the Lincoln badge.
Meanwhile, the Nissan Pathfinder has been in this space without interruption since its original debut in the mid-1980s. When it first arrived on the market for the 1987 model year, the Pathfinder was a compact pickup-based off-roader, different from the three-row SUV it is today.
Now in its fifth generation and updated for 2026, the Nissan Pathfinder starts at $39,900, roughly $17,000 less than the Aviator’s base price of $56,910. That wide gap is the headline, but it’s not exactly the full story.
The Pathfinder, an unlikely challenger to an American luxury SUV, beats the Aviator on fuel economy and towing capacity. And the two are closer on cargo space than most buyers would expect. Here is how they stack up.
- Base Trim Engine
-
3.5-liter V6
- Base Trim Transmission
-
9-Speed Auto
- Base Trim Drivetrain
-
Front-Wheel Drive
The price gap
Simply too big to ignore
As noted a moment ago, the base Pathfinder SV and the base Aviator Premiere are separated by $17,010.
At that entry price, the 2026 Pathfinder includes Nissan Safety Shield 360 with six driver-assistance features, ProPILOT Assist, a 12.3-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and seating for eight passengers.
The 2026 Aviator Premiere arrives with a 13.2-inch touchscreen, Google built-in, Lincoln Co-Pilot360 Drive 2.0, standard second-row captain’s chairs, a panoramic Vista Roof, and BlueCruise 1.5 hands-free highway driving.
QuizThe Nissan Pathfinder
Read on and test your knowledge
From rugged off-roader to family SUV — how well do you really know the Nissan Pathfinder?
HistoryDesignPerformanceGenerationsFeatures
In what year did the Nissan Pathfinder make its debut?
Correct! The Nissan Pathfinder was introduced in 1985 as a 1986 model year vehicle. It was designed to compete with other compact SUVs of the era, like the Toyota 4Runner and Chevrolet Blazer.
Not quite. The Pathfinder actually debuted in 1985 as a 1986 model year vehicle. It entered a competitive compact SUV market alongside rivals like the Toyota 4Runner and Chevrolet Blazer.
What vehicle platform did the first-generation Pathfinder share with?
That’s right! The original Pathfinder was built on the same body-on-frame platform as the Nissan Hardbody (D21) pickup truck. This gave it a rugged, truck-like character well suited for off-road use.
Not quite. The first-generation Pathfinder was built on the same body-on-frame platform as the Nissan Hardbody (D21) truck. This truck-derived underpinning gave it genuine off-road credentials in its early years.
Which generation of the Pathfinder marked the shift from a body-on-frame to a unibody construction?
Correct! The third-generation Pathfinder, introduced for the 2005 model year, switched from body-on-frame to a unibody platform. This change made it more car-like and comfortable but reduced its off-road capability compared to earlier models.
Not quite. It was the third-generation Pathfinder (2005 model year) that made the switch to unibody construction. This was a controversial change for fans who valued the truck-like, off-road-oriented nature of the earlier models.
What was the towing capacity of the fifth-generation (2022) Nissan Pathfinder when properly equipped?
Well done! The 2022 Nissan Pathfinder is rated to tow up to 6,000 lbs when properly equipped. This was a significant improvement over the fourth generation and helped the Pathfinder better compete in the three-row family SUV segment.
Not quite. The 2022 Nissan Pathfinder can tow up to 6,000 lbs when properly equipped. This was a major selling point for the fifth-generation redesign, giving it a meaningful edge over some family SUV competitors.
What seating configuration did the fifth-generation (2022) Pathfinder introduce as a notable new feature?
Correct! The 2022 Pathfinder introduced an available second-row captain’s chair layout with a unique middle pass-through, making it easier for passengers to access the third row. This was a standout feature in the segment and a major convenience upgrade.
Not quite. The big seating news for the 2022 Pathfinder was an available second-row captain’s chair configuration with a clever middle pass-through. This made third-row access far easier, a thoughtful touch for families with young children.
In Japan, the Nissan Pathfinder was sold under what different name?
That’s right! In Japan and several other markets, the Pathfinder was marketed as the Nissan Terrano. The Terrano name was also used in Europe, while North America stuck with the Pathfinder branding throughout the model’s history.
Not quite. The Pathfinder was sold as the Nissan Terrano in Japan and parts of Europe. Interestingly, the Nissan Safari was a separate, larger 4×4 vehicle sold in Japan and other international markets.
What engine powers the fifth-generation (2022 and newer) Nissan Pathfinder?
Correct! The fifth-generation Pathfinder is powered by a 3.5-liter naturally aspirated V6 engine producing 284 horsepower. It’s paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, replacing the CVT used in the previous generation — a welcome change for many drivers.
Not quite. The 2022 Pathfinder uses a 3.5-liter V6 engine making 284 horsepower. One of the highlights of the redesign was the replacement of the unpopular CVT transmission with a conventional nine-speed automatic gearbox.
Which of these Nissan Pathfinder competitors was it most directly designed to rival when the fifth generation launched in 2022?
Spot on! The fifth-generation Pathfinder was squarely aimed at three-row family SUVs like the Toyota Highlander and Kia Telluride. Nissan gave it more towing capacity, a better transmission, and improved interior quality specifically to compete in this popular segment.
Not quite. The 2022 Pathfinder was designed to take on mid-size three-row SUVs like the Toyota Highlander and Kia Telluride. Nissan invested heavily in improving towing, transmission, and interior refinement to make the Pathfinder competitive in that crowded family hauler market.
Your Score
/ 8
Thanks for playing!
Neither vehicle is underequipped at its base price for standard features. The Aviator, in particular, offers a strong standard feature set for the segment and the prestige of a luxury badge.
But $17,000 buys a lot outside a car dealership, and it’s a good sum of money to let go of, even if you can afford it. That’s a solid emergency fund, a kitchen remodel down payment, or resources to put into a business.
Powertrain and fuel economy
More power on one side, better efficiency on the other
The Aviator is powered by a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 producing 400 horsepower and 415 lb-ft. of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic. Rear-wheel drive is standard on the Premiere and Reserve, while all-wheel drive is available for $2,500 (it’s standard on the Black Label). The Aviator reaches 60 mph in about 5.3 seconds, which puts it among the quicker three-row SUVs in its class.
By contrast, the 2026 Pathfinder leverages a 3.5-liter naturally aspirated V6 producing 284 horsepower and 259 lb-ft. of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard; all-wheel drive is available for $2,000.
The Pathfinder’s answer to the Aviator’s power advantage is fuel economy. Looking at the two SUVs side by side, the Aviator with rear-wheel drive has EPA ratings of 18 in the city, 25 on the highway, and 21 combined.
The Pathfinder SV with front-wheel drive is rated at 21 in the city, 27 on the highway, and 23 combined, better in every category.
That difference in fuel economy, in favor of the Nissan Pathfinder, will add up over time. While the Aviator is luxurious and powerful, the Pathfinder is less expensive to purchase and fuel.
- Base Trim Engine
-
3L EcoBoost V6 ICE
- Base Trim Transmission
-
10-speed automatic
- Base Trim Drivetrain
-
Rear-Wheel Drive
Max towing capacity
Where the Pathfinder pulls ahead
The 2026 Pathfinder can tow up to 6,000 lbs. when properly equipped with the available tow package, which comes standard on the Rock Creek and Platinum. The Aviator is rated for 5,000 lbs. across its lineup.
A 1,000-lbs. difference may not matter to a family that never tows. Those who pull a boat, a camper, or a utility trailer, however, may feel different about that extra 1,000 lbs. of capacity.
Note, however, that by default, the 2026 Nissan Pathfinder has a standard towing capacity of 3,500 lbs. Buyers will need to ensure the Pathfinder they are considering has either the SV Premium or the SL Premium package to receive the 6,000-lbs. max towing capacity.
I ran a dealership express lube—these 4 services help your car last 200,000 miles
With new car prices at an all-time high, I’ve resolved to keep my current vehicle as long as possible.
BlueCruise vs. ProPILOT Assist
How the systems differ
The 2026 Aviator comes standard with Lincoln Co-Pilot360 Drive 2.0, which includes pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection, a blind-spot information system, lane-keeping assist, a 360-degree camera, front and rear parking sensors, and adaptive cruise control.
The Aviator’s standout addition is BlueCruise 1.5, standard on all three 2026 trims and included for four years after purchase. The system allows hands-free highway driving on more than 130,000 miles of prequalified divided highways in North America.
Automatic Lane Change, an expanded feature of BlueCruise, is new for 2026. When BlueCruise detects slower traffic ahead, it assesses the adjacent lane, activates the turn signal on its own, moves the Aviator over, and returns to the original lane once clear, all without the driver touching the turn signal. A driver-facing camera monitors for attention and engagement. The system will not initiate a lane change if it senses the driver is not watching the road.
ProPILOT Assist is standard on every 2026 Pathfinder and provides highway driving assistance with automatic acceleration, braking, and steering. The key distinction between the two systems is that BlueCruise is hands-free: the driver does not need to keep their hands on the steering wheel within the designated Blue Zones. ProPILOT Assist is hands-on, no exceptions. Both require driver attention, but BlueCruise represents a higher level of automation.
The Pathfinder is also standard with a feature called Intelligent Forward Collision Warning, which monitors a vehicle two positions ahead rather than just the car directly in front. Features like this are among the reasons why the 2026 Nissan Pathfinder was named a Best New Vehicle for Teens by the IIHS and Consumer Reports.
- Material
-
Oxford
- Special Feature
-
Foldable
This 13.5-gallon trunk organizer features compartments to organize and store groceries, sports equipment, emergency supplies, and other daily essentials.
Interior room and cargo space
Both SUVs are close
The Aviator is the more refined vehicle when positioned against the Pathfinder, an expected outcome given the price difference.
The Aviator Premiere, with its captain’s chairs and panoramic Vista Roof, sets a clear luxury tone. Lincoln’s Perfect Position seats, with 30-way adjustability, are available for buyers who want maximum comfort on the daily commute. As expected, the Pathfinder cannot match this level of seating comfort, although the more premium Infiniti QX60 does.
Behind the third row, the two SUVs are nearly identical in terms of cargo space. The Aviator offers 16.5 cubic feet, while the Pathfinder offers 16.6 cubic feet. At maximum capacity with all rows folded, the Pathfinder offers 80.5 cubic feet versus the Aviator’s 77.7 cubic feet, a slight advantage.
Like cargo space, third-row legroom is close. The Aviator offers 29.2 inches, while the Pathfinder offers 28 inches, a difference small enough that most passengers will not notice it. The Pathfinder fits eight passengers as standard; the Aviator seats seven, with a six-passenger captain’s chair configuration available.
Audio probably goes in favor of the Aviator. The Aviator Premiere comes standard with a 10-speaker system. The 14-speaker Revel audio system is available, although the Black Label comes standard with a 28-speaker Revel setup. The Pathfinder has a six-speaker system by default, although a Bose 13-speaker system is optional.
Aviator for luxury, Pathfinder for value
The original Aviator failed because it didn’t gain traction with buyers. The current one succeeds because Lincoln built something that genuinely justifies the badge. More power, a more refined interior, and a hands-free driving system that represents the latest in automotive technology.
On the flip side, the Pathfinder does not ask you to choose between capability and value. It seats more people, tows more, uses less fuel, and holds its own on cargo space against a vehicle that costs considerably more. For a family that needs a dependable three-row SUV and would rather keep $17,000 in their household budget, the math on the Pathfinder is hard to argue with.
Stephan is the sports journalist for the Maple Grove Report.
