2025 Jeep Wrangler vs 2025 Nissan Pathfinder

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler Sport S, with its black-on-black color scheme, was not the ideal choice for a tropical climate like Hawaii. Despite the initial disappointment, the vehicle's appeal became apparent once the windows were down, and the overhead panels were removed. The Wrangler's design, rooted in American freedom and military history, remained a strong selling point. The interior, though not luxurious, was functional, with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a focus on durability. The Wrangler's rugged charm and capability to traverse diverse terrains made it a popular choice, even if it lacked the sophistication of more modern vehicles.

In contrast, the 2025 Nissan Pathfinder, tested in snowy conditions near Mount Rainier National Park, showcased its practicality and adaptability. The Rock Creek trim, equipped with all-wheel drive and 3-Peak Mud-and-Snow-rated tires, handled the challenging terrain with ease. The Pathfinder's redesign in 2022 brought a more assertive look, with features like a V-Motion grille and stacked LED lighting. Inside, the Pathfinder offered comfort and versatility, with leatherette-and-cloth upholstery and a spacious interior. Despite its unibody construction, the Pathfinder proved capable for light off-roading, making it a reliable choice for adventurous families.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler offered two engine options: a 3.6-liter V6 with a six-speed manual transmission and a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The latter produced 270 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, slightly less horsepower but more torque than the V6. The turbocharged engine was more fuel-efficient, with an EPA rating of 21 mpg combined, compared to the V6's 19-20 mpg. During testing in Hawaii, the Wrangler averaged 19.2 mpg. Its standard four-wheel drive, high ground clearance, and narrow width made it well-suited for the island's terrain, though its ride was rough, and handling was sloppy.

The 2025 Nissan Pathfinder came with a single engine option: a 3.5-liter V6. The Rock Creek trim offered a slight power boost to 295 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque, compared to 284 hp and 259 lb-ft in other trims. A nine-speed automatic transmission replaced the previous CVT, providing smooth shifts and a towing capacity of up to 6,000 pounds with the right equipment. The Pathfinder's soft suspension offered a comfortable ride but lacked the handling precision of some competitors. Fuel economy for the Rock Creek trim was 20 mpg city, 23 highway, and 21 combined, with a 200-mile evaluation averaging 20.8 mpg. The Pathfinder's seven drive modes and hill-descent control enhanced its traction management capabilities.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler's high ground clearance and narrow door openings made entry and exit challenging. Inside, the front seats were comfortable, with cloth upholstery and heated options available. Rear-seat legroom was adequate, but taller passengers risked hitting their knees on the front seatback hooks. Storage space was limited, with small bins and cupholders for small items. Cargo access was cumbersome, requiring the tailgate and rear window to be opened separately. The Wrangler offered 31.7 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 72.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2025 Nissan Pathfinder, though smaller on paper than some competitors, provided ample interior space. During a ski trip with four adults, it comfortably accommodated passengers and gear. The Pathfinder offered 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 rows down. The Rock Creek trim featured a power liftgate, three-zone climate control, and comfortable seating with 10-way power adjustment for the driver's seat. The EZ Flex Seating System allowed easy access to the third row without removing car seats.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler's Uconnect 5 infotainment system featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. An eight-speaker stereo was standard, with a nine-speaker Alpine system optional. Jeep Connect offered a Wi-Fi hotspot, Adventure Guides, and GPS Trail Logs. The touchscreen remained bright and easy to use, even with the roof panels removed. The Convenience Group pack added a 7-inch digital display, passive entry, and remote engine start. Rear parking sensors were available in the Active Safety Group package.

The 2025 Nissan Pathfinder's infotainment system lagged behind competitors, with an 8-inch screen in lower trims and a 9-inch screen in SL and Platinum trims. The system supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with wireless projection available only for Apple devices on the 9-inch screen. A 6-speaker stereo was standard, with a 13-speaker Bose system optional on the SL and standard on the Platinum. The Pathfinder included four USB ports, with additional ports in higher trims. Navigation was standard on SL and Platinum trims, and a 12.3-inch driver-information display was exclusive to the Platinum.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler added side curtain airbags for front and rear seats as standard equipment. Optional advanced driver assistance systems included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, available on all but the base Sport trim. Forward collision warning with automatic braking was standard only on the Sahara trim. Adaptive cruise control and automatic high-beam headlights were available with automatic transmission models. The Wrangler received a four-star frontal-impact rating and a three-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA. The IIHS rated it Good for side-impact protection and moderate overlap frontal-impact, but Marginal for small overlap frontal-impact.

The 2025 Nissan Pathfinder earned a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with four stars in frontal crash testing and rollover evaluation. Every Pathfinder trim came with a comprehensive suite of advanced driver assistance systems, including blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, and rear automatic braking. Adaptive cruise control and ProPilot Assist were standard on all but the base S trim. Traffic sign recognition was standard on SL and Platinum trims.