2027 Nissan Pathfinder vs Ford Explorer: We Compared the Data
By the CarWhere Vehicle Data Team · Updated November 8, 2026 · how we score
Our pick: the Pathfinder — it leads our weighted scorecard 3.5–1 across 5 categories, winning on fewer NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold (0.38 vs 0.92) and more towing capacity (6,000 lb vs 5,000 lb). Choose the Explorer if you want the most power (400 hp vs 295 hp).
Scorecard: Pathfinder 3.5 pts · Explorer 1 pts across 5 scored categories.
The scorecard
| Category (weight) | 2027 Pathfinder | 2027 Explorer | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (2) | $39,990 | — | No data |
| NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold (2) | 0.38 | 0.92 | Pathfinder |
| 5-year value retained (1.5) | — | 43.2% | No data |
| Best EPA combined (1.5) | 23 mpg | 23 mpg | Tie |
| Most horsepower available (1) | 295 hp | 400 hp | Explorer |
| Max towing (1) | 6,000 lb | 5,000 lb | Pathfinder |
| Standard seats (1) | 8 | — | No data |
| Median discount verified buyers got (1) | — | 7% off MSRP | No data |
| Recalls, 2023–2025 model years (0.5) | 4 | 34 | Pathfinder |
| Weighted points | 3.5 | 1 | Pathfinder |
Which one we'd buy, and for whom
- Commuter. Commuters: it's a wash — Pathfinder 23 mpg vs Explorer 23 mpg (best EPA combined).
- Family. Families: the Pathfinder — 0.38 vs 0.92 (NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold).
- Towing. Towing: the Pathfinder — 6,000 lb vs 5,000 lb (max towing).
Price: sticker and what buyers paid
A current starting MSRP isn't on file for both models. Verified Explorer buyers paid a median 7% off MSRP across 8 deals; the CarWhere Index target is 12.6% off. Used, the median asking price is $27,959 for the Pathfinder and $24,001 for the Explorer (all model years, US dealer listings).
Reliability: NHTSA complaints and recalls
- Pathfinder: 0.38 NHTSA owner complaints per 1,000 sold (2015–2022 sales years; 71th percentile among the SUVs we track).
- Explorer: 0.92 NHTSA owner complaints per 1,000 sold (2015–2022 sales years; 25th percentile among the SUVs we track).
- Recall campaigns touching the 2023–2025 model years: Pathfinder 4, Explorer 34.
Latest rated model years on our years-to-avoid pages: Pathfinder 2016 (solid) · Explorer 2016 (avoid).
Complaint rates are owner complaints filed with NHTSA divided by vehicles sold — a federal-data signal, not a survey score.
Specs side by side
| 2027 Pathfinder | 2027 Explorer | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (base trim) | $39,990 | — |
| Top-trim MSRP | $49,890 | — |
| Horsepower | 284–295 hp | 300–400 hp |
| Max torque | 270 lb-ft | 415 lb-ft |
| EPA combined | 21–23 mpg | 19–23 mpg |
| Max towing | 6,000 lb | 5,000 lb |
| Seats (standard / max) | 8 / 8 | — / 7 |
Automaker-published figures; EPA ratings from fueleconomy.gov. "—" = not published.
Resale: 5-year value retained
There's no 5-year retention figure for the Pathfinder yet. A 5-year-old (2021) Explorer lists for a median $23,237 — 43.2% of today's median new price of $53,756.
Shop both
- See new 2027 Nissan Pathfinders for sale →
- See 41,369 new 2027 Ford Explorers for sale →Median listed price $50,563 · updated Nov 7, 2026
Negotiating either one?
CarWhere PRO ($12.99/mo) shows the 75th-percentile target price for your exact trim and zip, comparable nearby deals, and an AI quote analyzer. See PRO → · Checking a specific used one? The $9.99 Full VIN Report covers the federal record + original window sticker.
More on the Nissan Pathfinder
More on the Ford Explorer
Related head-to-heads
FAQ
Is the Pathfinder better than the Explorer?
On our data, yes. Our pick: the Pathfinder — it leads our weighted scorecard 3.5–1 across 5 categories, winning on fewer NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold (0.38 vs 0.92) and more towing capacity (6,000 lb vs 5,000 lb). Choose the Explorer if you want the most power (400 hp vs 295 hp).
Which is more reliable, the Pathfinder or the Explorer?
On federal data, the Pathfinder: owners filed 0.38 NHTSA complaints per 1,000 vehicles sold versus 0.92 for the Explorer (2015–2022 sales years). That's complaint volume, not a survey score. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns touching the 2023–2025 Pathfinder and 34 for the Explorer.
Which holds its value better, the Pathfinder or the Explorer?
We don't have a 5-year retention figure for both models.
Which is cheaper, the Pathfinder or the Explorer?
We don't have a current starting MSRP for both models.
Which has better gas mileage, the Pathfinder or the Explorer?
It's a wash: 23 mpg vs 23 mpg best EPA combined.
How we score
Each category compares one published number per model and counts only when both models have it. The winner earns the category weight; results inside the tie band earn nothing. Our pick has more weighted points; level points fall back to more category wins, then the reliability winner, then the price winner.
- Starting MSRP: lower wins; tie within 3%.
- NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold: lower wins; tie within 15%.
- 5-year value retained: higher wins; tie within 2 points.
- Best EPA combined: higher wins; tie within 1 mpg (3 MPGe).
- Most horsepower available: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Max towing: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Cargo behind rear seats: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Standard seats: higher wins; tie same count.
- Median discount verified buyers got: higher wins; tie within 0.5 points.
- Recalls, 2023–2025 model years: lower wins; tie within 1.
Towing weighs 2 for pickups and 1 otherwise; seating is only scored between SUVs and minivans, using standard (never optional) seats. Sources: automaker spec pages and order guides; EPA ratings (fueleconomy.gov); NHTSA owner complaints and recall campaigns against published US sales; median used asking prices across active US dealer listings from licensed vehicle-data providers; verified buyer-submitted deal sheets for discounts.
Cite this page: CarWhere, "2027 Nissan Pathfinder vs Ford Explorer: We Compared the Data," carwhere.com/compare-cars/nissan-pathfinder-vs-ford-explorer, updated November 8, 2026.