2024 Ford Bronco vs 2025 Nissan Pathfinder

The 2024 Ford Bronco embraced a retro design reminiscent of the 1960s, particularly in its two-door variant, which was more successful in capturing the nostalgic aesthetic than the four-door model. The Sasquatch Package, a notable upgrade, enhanced the Bronco's rugged appearance with a suspension lift and 35-inch mud-terrain tires, giving it a wide stance and a purposeful look. Without this package, the Bronco's standard tires appeared undersized, affecting its overall visual appeal. The interior of the Bronco was designed with practicality in mind, featuring marine-grade upholstery and a dashboard with a BRONCO-stamped panel, echoing the original 1960s model. Despite its rugged exterior, the Bronco offered a more refined interior compared to its main competitor, the Jeep Wrangler, with effective square side mirrors and a nearly vertical windshield providing good visibility.

The 2025 Nissan Pathfinder, redesigned for its fifth generation, presented a more modern and assertive look with its upright front end and protective cladding. The Rock Creek trim, in particular, stood out with its adventurous design elements, including a V-Motion grille and stacked LED lighting. Despite its rugged appearance, the Pathfinder was a unibody crossover, lacking the additional ground clearance and protective skid plates found in more dedicated off-road vehicles. Inside, the Pathfinder offered a comfortable and spacious environment, with the Rock Creek trim featuring leatherette-and-cloth upholstery and bright orange "Rock Creek" logos. The Pathfinder's interior was practical, with features like the EZ Flex Seating System allowing easy access to the third row without removing child seats, making it a family-friendly option.

The 2024 Ford Bronco offered a range of engine options, starting with a standard turbocharged 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque. For those seeking more power, an optional 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 delivered 330 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque, while the Raptor model boasted a 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6 with 418 hp and 440 lb-ft. The Bronco's towing capacity varied from 3,500 to 4,500 pounds, depending on the engine. The Bronco's off-road capabilities were enhanced by features like Trail Control, Trail One-Pedal Drive, and Trail Turn Assist, making it a formidable off-roader. However, its fuel efficiency was a concern, with the Big Bend Sasquatch averaging 16.9 mpg during testing.

The 2025 Nissan Pathfinder came with a single engine option: a naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6. The power output varied by trim, with the Rock Creek trim offering 295 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque, while other trims produced 284 hp and 259 lb-ft. The Pathfinder's nine-speed automatic transmission provided smooth shifts, and the Rock Creek and Platinum trims included a transmission oil cooler, increasing the towing capacity to 6,000 pounds. The Pathfinder's ride was soft, making it comfortable on bumpy roads but less composed on twisty roads. Its fuel economy was slightly better than some competitors, with the Rock Creek trim achieving 20 mpg city, 23 highway, and 21 combined.

The 2024 Ford Bronco, particularly in the four-door configuration, offered ample interior space, accommodating four adults comfortably. The absence of a rollbar in front of the rear-seat passengers, unlike in the Jeep Wrangler, provided a more comfortable ride. The Bronco's marine-grade vinyl upholstery, while practical, did not breathe well, trapping moisture. The two-door model offered 22.4 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 53.3 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The four-door model provided more cargo space, with 38.3 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 83 cubic feet with them folded.

The 2025 Nissan Pathfinder, although smaller on paper compared to some competitors, offered ample interior space. During a ski trip with four adults, it comfortably accommodated passengers and their gear. The Pathfinder provided 16.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 45 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 80.5 cubic feet with both the second and third rows down. The Rock Creek trim featured captain's chairs and a removable center console in the second row, enhancing comfort and flexibility. The EZ Flex Seating System allowed easy access to the third row without removing child seats, adding to its family-friendly appeal.

The 2024 Ford Bronco featured a 12-inch touchscreen with the Sync 4 infotainment system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and a seven-speaker stereo. Higher trims included a Bang & Olufsen sound system and connected navigation. However, the Sync 4 system experienced connectivity issues with Apple CarPlay and inconsistent voice recognition performance. The Bronco Trail App provided access to trail maps and information, enhancing its off-road capabilities.

The 2025 Nissan Pathfinder's infotainment system lagged behind some competitors, with an 8-inch screen in lower trims and a 9-inch screen in higher trims. The system supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but wireless projection was limited to Apple devices on the 9-inch screen. The Pathfinder offered a 6-speaker stereo, with a 13-speaker Bose system available on higher trims. While the Pathfinder's tech was user-friendly, it lacked the modernity and screen size of some rivals.

The 2024 Ford Bronco came equipped with standard safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and a backup camera. The Mid Package added Ford Co-Pilot360 technologies like lane-departure warning and blind-spot monitoring. The Bronco received favorable ratings from the IIHS, except for its headlight performance, and a four-star frontal-impact rating from the NHTSA.

The 2025 Nissan Pathfinder earned a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. It came with a comprehensive suite of advanced driver assistance systems, including blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic emergency braking. Adaptive cruise control and ProPilot Assist were standard on most trims, enhancing its safety credentials.