2027 Nissan Pathfinder vs Toyota 4Runner: 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 3–1 across 6 categories, winning on a lower starting price ($39,990 vs $43,490) and more standard seats (8 vs 5). Choose the 4Runner if you want the most power (326 hp vs 295 hp).
Scorecard: Pathfinder 3 pts · 4Runner 1 pts across 6 scored categories.
The scorecard
| Category (weight) | 2027 Pathfinder | 2027 4Runner | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (2) | $39,990 | $43,490 | Pathfinder |
| NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold (2) | 0.38 | — | No data |
| 5-year value retained (1.5) | — | 61.2% | No data |
| Best EPA combined (1.5) | 23 mpg | 23 mpg | Tie |
| Most horsepower available (1) | 295 hp | 326 hp | 4Runner |
| Max towing (1) | 6,000 lb | 6,000 lb | Tie |
| Cargo behind rear seats (1) | — | 48.4 cu ft | No data |
| Standard seats (1) | 8 | 5 | Pathfinder |
| Median discount verified buyers got (1) | — | 4.9% off MSRP | No data |
| Recalls, 2023–2025 model years (0.5) | 4 | 3 | Tie |
| Weighted points | 3 | 1 | Pathfinder |
Which one we'd buy, and for whom
- Commuter. Commuters: it's a wash — Pathfinder 23 mpg vs 4Runner 23 mpg (best EPA combined).
- Family. Families: the Pathfinder — 8 vs 5 (standard seats).
- Budget. Tight budgets: the Pathfinder — $39,990 vs $43,490 (starting MSRP). Used, the median asking price is $27,959 for the Pathfinder vs $37,101 for the 4Runner.
- Towing. Towing: it's a wash — Pathfinder 6,000 lb vs 4Runner 6,000 lb (max towing).
Price: sticker and what buyers paid
The Pathfinder starts at $39,990 and tops out at $49,890; the 4Runner runs $43,490 to $68,870 (manufacturer MSRP, before destination). Verified 4Runner buyers paid a median 4.9% off MSRP across 59 deals; the CarWhere Index target is 6.7% off. Used, the median asking price is $27,959 for the Pathfinder and $37,101 for the 4Runner (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).
- 4Runner: a complaint rate per 1,000 sold isn't available yet.
- Recall campaigns touching the 2023–2025 model years: Pathfinder 4, 4Runner 3.
Latest rated model years on our years-to-avoid pages: Pathfinder 2016 (solid).
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 4Runner | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (base trim) | $39,990 | $43,490 |
| Top-trim MSRP | $49,890 | $68,870 |
| Horsepower | 284–295 hp | 278–326 hp |
| Max torque | 270 lb-ft | 465 lb-ft |
| EPA combined | 21–23 mpg | 21–23 mpg (hybrid avail.) |
| Max towing | 6,000 lb | 6,000 lb |
| Seats (standard / max) | 8 / 8 | 5 / 7 |
| Cargo behind rear seats | — | 48.4 cu ft |
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) 4Runner lists for a median $37,050 — 61.2% of today's median new price of $60,580.
Shop both
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More on the Nissan Pathfinder
More on the Toyota 4Runner
Related head-to-heads
FAQ
Is the Pathfinder better than the 4Runner?
On our data, yes. Our pick: the Pathfinder — it leads our weighted scorecard 3–1 across 6 categories, winning on a lower starting price ($39,990 vs $43,490) and more standard seats (8 vs 5). Choose the 4Runner if you want the most power (326 hp vs 295 hp).
Which is more reliable, the Pathfinder or the 4Runner?
We only rank reliability by NHTSA complaints per 1,000 vehicles sold, and that rate isn't available for both models yet. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns touching the 2023–2025 Pathfinder and 3 for the 4Runner.
Which holds its value better, the Pathfinder or the 4Runner?
We don't have a 5-year retention figure for both models.
Which is cheaper, the Pathfinder or the 4Runner?
The Pathfinder starts lower: $39,990 vs $43,490 starting MSRP (before destination).
Which has better gas mileage, the Pathfinder or the 4Runner?
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 Toyota 4Runner: We Compared the Data," carwhere.com/compare-cars/nissan-pathfinder-vs-toyota-4runner, updated November 8, 2026.