Acadia vs Pathfinder
If you’re shopping for a car in the three-row suv class, the Acadia and the Pathfinder are likely both on your shortlist. By our tally, the Acadia leads 2 of 4 areas. The engine & performance section is where it pulls furthest ahead of the Pathfinder.
At a glance
- Engine & Performance Acadia wins
- Fuel Economy & Range Tie
- Space & Practicality Acadia wins
- Off-road & Towing Pathfinder wins
- Engine & Performance7.6
- Fuel Economy & Range4.8
- Space & Practicality6.0
- Off-road & Towing5.3
- Engine & Performance4.8
- Fuel Economy & Range4.8
- Space & Practicality4.6
- Off-road & Towing6.5
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
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The Acadia has 39% more cargo space
Among all the differences on this page, 23 cu ft against 16.6 cu ft is one of the most meaningful, and it favors the Acadia. Cargo space behind the rear seats is what you use every day for groceries, strollers and luggage.
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The Acadia has 44 hp more power
The Pathfinder gives up a lot on total system output: 284 hp, compared with 328 hp on the Acadia. Power is only part of the story; weight, gearing and torque delivery shape how quick a car feels.
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The Acadia has 67 lb-ft more torque
Few buyers will miss this one. The Acadia brings 326 lb-ft to the table; the Pathfinder brings 259 lb-ft. Electrified powertrains deliver torque instantly, so compare torque figures alongside the powertrain type.
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The Pathfinder has room for 8 seats
A narrow win for the Pathfinder. With 8 seats to 7 seats, it’s the kind of difference that adds up rather than stands out. The Pathfinder has room for more passengers, useful for growing families and carpools.
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The Pathfinder has 1,000 lb more towing capacity
Close, but not identical: the Pathfinder lists 6,000 lb and the Acadia lists 5,000 lb. If you tow regularly, the Pathfinder’s higher rating gives you more margin.
Design & Size
Dimensions
| Spec | Acadia | Pathfinder |
|---|---|---|
| Length | N/A (not specified) | 197.7 in |
| Width (no mirrors) | N/A (not specified) | 77.9 in |
| Height | N/A (not specified) | 70.9 in |
| Wheelbase | 120.9 in | 114.2 in |
| Curb weight (from) | N/A (not specified) | 4,325 lb |
Engine & Performance
Acadia leads
Look at the engine & performance table and one name keeps coming out on top: the Acadia. The Acadia pulls ahead with 44 hp more power. The Acadia’s extra output gives it more in reserve when you need to get up to speed. For engine & performance, the Acadia is the one to beat.
Total system output
Acadia: 328 hp Pathfinder: 284 hp More power helps with merging, overtaking and climbing hills, especially with passengers and luggage on board.
Torque
Acadia: 326 lb-ft Pathfinder: 259 lb-ft More torque means stronger pulling from low speeds, which you feel when accelerating from a stop or climbing grades.
Fuel Economy & Range
Too close to call
On paper, the fuel economy & range comparison ends all square. If fuel economy & range was going to be your tiebreaker, you’ll need a different one.
Space & Practicality
Acadia leads
The Acadia wins the space & practicality section decisively. In its favor, the Acadia has 39% more cargo space. The Acadia’s larger cargo area makes family trips and big shopping runs easier. On its side, the Pathfinder has room for 8 seats. Weighing only space & practicality, the Acadia comes out ahead.
Cargo (behind rear seats)
Acadia: 23 cu ft Pathfinder: 16.6 cu ft Cargo figures are measured in different ways by different makers, so small gaps may not show in practice.
Seats
Acadia: 7 seats Pathfinder: 8 seats Extra seats mean you can take more people along without taking a second car.
Off-road & Towing
Pathfinder leads
In the off-road & towing category, the Pathfinder is a step ahead rather than a leap ahead. The Pathfinder adds 1,000 lb more towing capacity. Towing ratings depend on configuration and equipment, so check the exact trim you’re looking at. That makes the Pathfinder the natural choice for buyers focused on off-road & towing.
Max towing
Acadia: 5,000 lb Pathfinder: 6,000 lb A higher towing capacity lets you pull bigger trailers, boats and campers.
Safety & Tech
We don’t score this area directly, because the safety & tech specs are labels rather than measurements. The table shows what each lists.
Full Specifications
Engine & Performance
| Spec | Acadia | Pathfinder |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | Gas | Gas |
| Engine | 2.5L turbo I4 | 3.5L V6 |
| Total system output | 328 hp (winner) | 284 hp |
| Torque | 326 lb-ft (winner) | 259 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic | 9-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain | FWD (AWD available) | FWD (4WD available) |
Fuel Economy & Range
| Spec | Acadia | Pathfinder |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy (combined)EPA estimate where available | 23 mpg | 23 mpg |
| Fuel economy (city) | 20 mpg | 20 mpg |
| Fuel economy (highway) | 27 mpg | 27 mpg |
| Fuel tank | N/A (not specified) | 18.5 gal |
Space & Practicality
| Spec | Acadia | Pathfinder |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 7 seats | 8 seats (winner) |
| Cargo (behind rear seats) | 23 cu ft (winner) | 16.6 cu ft |
| Cargo (seats folded) | 97.5 cu ft | N/A (not specified) |
Off-road & Towing
| Spec | Acadia | Pathfinder |
|---|---|---|
| Ground clearance | N/A (not specified) | 7.10 in |
| Max towing | 5,000 lb | 6,000 lb (winner) |
| AWD / 4WD available | Yes | Yes |
Safety & Tech
| Spec | Acadia | Pathfinder |
|---|---|---|
| Largest touchscreen | 15 in | N/A (not specified) |
| Driver-assist suite | GMC Pro Safety | N/A (not specified) |
| Basic warranty | 3 yr / 36,000 mi | 3 yr / 36,000 mi |
Dimensions
| Spec | Acadia | Pathfinder |
|---|---|---|
| Length | N/A (not specified) | 197.7 in |
| Width (no mirrors) | N/A (not specified) | 77.9 in |
| Height | N/A (not specified) | 70.9 in |
| Wheelbase | 120.9 in | 114.2 in |
| Curb weight (from) | N/A (not specified) | 4,325 lb |
Price
| Spec | Acadia | Pathfinder |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP | $43,000 | N/A (not specified) |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the Acadia if…
- you haul strollers, luggage or sports gear every week (23 cu ft vs 16.6 cu ft)
- you want more power (328 hp vs 284 hp)
- you often drive loaded up or with a trailer (326 lb-ft vs 259 lb-ft of torque)
Choose the Pathfinder if…
- you need more seats (8 seats vs 7 seats)
- you tow a camper, boat or trailer (6,000 lb vs 5,000 lb)
- you’re comfortable with how Nissan does things
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the Acadia or the Pathfinder?
We’d point most buyers to the Acadia. The main exception is if what you want most is room for 8 seats.
Executive Summary
If it were just about the brand, you wouldn’t be here. So let’s talk about the Acadia and the Pathfinder on their merits. The single spec I’d point a friend to is this: the Acadia has 39% more cargo space. And the Acadia doesn’t stop there; it also offers 44 hp more power. On the other side, the Pathfinder brings room for 8 seats, and I wouldn’t dismiss that.
Put simply, the Acadia suits people who care about engine & performance, while the Pathfinder suits people who put off-road & towing first.
My pick: the Acadia, and I’d only look at the Pathfinder if having room for 8 seats matters more to you than the rest.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.