2025 Nissan Pathfinder Review

Is the 2025 Pathfinder Rock Creek suitable for rock crawling and creek crossing?

Christian Wardlaw | 

Jun 16, 2025 | 8 min read

Christian Wardlaw

With the 2025 Pathfinder Rock Creek, Nissan is selling sizzle, not steak. Don't let the knobby all-terrain tires, rugged design details, and robust roof rack lead you to believe otherwise. Thanks to a paltry 7.7 inches of ground clearance and a springy off-road-tuned suspension, it's too easy to smack the underside of the Rock Creek on the ground.

Nissan last redesigned the Pathfinder for the 2022 model year and introduced the Rock Creek in 2023. The Rock Creek's off-road suspension adds half an inch of ground clearance, but it's not enough to help this family-sized three-row SUV find paths instead of following them. Aside from the tires and suspension, the Rock Creek offers slightly more power than other Pathfinder models, and it comes standard with a surround-view camera featuring an off-road mode. In other words, there is little steak behind the sizzle.

That's not uncommon among crossover SUVs modified to look more capable in the dirt than they really are. However, when a car company reworks an SUV's suspension and adds different tires for off-roading, the changes can negatively affect the ride and handling in typical, everyday driving situations. I found that to be the case with the 2025 Nissan Pathfinder Rock Creek, which is as dissatisfying to drive on the road as it is off-road.

Christian Wardlaw

About the 2025 Nissan Pathfinder Rock Creek Review Vehicle

Nissan sells the 2025 Pathfinder in S, SV, SL, Rock Creek, and Platinum trim levels. Base prices range from the high $30,000s to the low $50,000s, including the destination charge to ship the SUV to a dealership from the Smyrna, Tennessee, factory where Nissan builds it.

For this Pathfinder review, I test-drove the Rock Creek in Southern California. It featured optional all-season floor mats and a two-tone Black over Obsidian Green paint scheme, bringing the manufacturer's suggested retail price to $47,390, including a $1,390 destination charge. Nissan provided the vehicle for this review.

Christian Wardlaw

Good Looks and Comfortable Front and Second-Row Seats

Current-generation Pathfinders are appealing, with a clean, angular design and subtle SUV styling cues that suggest they're more than oversized and overweight station wagons. The Rock Creek adds bolder front styling, 18-inch beadlock-style wheels wrapped in Toyo Open Country tires, and a tubular-style roof rack. They write an appearance check that the hardware can't cash.

Open the driver's door, and you'll find front seats with water-repellent fabric and artificial leather bolsters, orange stitching, and "Rock Creek" embroidered on the head restraints. Aside from the modern transmission shifter, the interior features an old-school layout with analog gauges, a relatively small 8.0-inch infotainment screen, and numerous knobs and buttons. Inexpensive-feeling materials and glare-reflecting surfaces detract from the sense of quality.

Fortunately, the Nissan Pathfinder Rock Creek comes with comfortable heated front seats. Drivers benefit from 10-way power adjustment, while the manually adjustable front passenger's seat includes a height adjuster to ensure proper support. The fabric inserts feel coarse, but are in keeping with this rough-and-tumble SUV's image. A panoramic moonroof, a natural fit for an adventure-themed SUV, is unavailable for the Rock Creek, but you can get one with other Pathfinder trims.

Christian Wardlaw

Second-row passengers enjoy individual captain's chairs, separated by a sizable console that can be removed to create a pass-through to the third row. The second-row chairs are mounted high, supplying excellent support and a good view out. Moreover, they allow you to tilt and slide them forward for access to the third row even if you've installed child safety seats in them.

Larger adults may be unhappy in the Pathfinder's third-row seat, which is mounted low and lacks leg support. Furthermore, both footroom and legroom are tight, and entering and exiting this seating location is an exercise in gracelessness.

Cabin storage space is generous because Nissan incorporates small trays, shelves, and cubbies where possible. The cargo volume behind the third-row seat measures 16.6 cubic-feet, and a large underfloor storage compartment is also available. Fold the third-row seat flat, and this SUV can hold 45.0 cu-ft of cargo. Maximum capacity is 80.5 cu-ft.

Christian Wardlaw

Yester-Tech Infotainment and Driver-Assistance Systems

If the Pathfinder Rock Creek looks dated inside, the available technology doesn't alter that perception, what with analog gauges separated by a 7.0-inch digital driver display and an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system.

It might look basic, but the Rock Creek's infotainment includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, SiriusXM satellite radio, and access to a Wi-Fi hot spot.

Navigation is unavailable in the Rock Creek, another feature seemingly necessary in an SUV made for exploring parts unknown. Nissan thoughtfully includes stereo-volume and radio-tuning knobs, or you can use the voice recognition system to request a radio-station change. However, it won't adjust the cabin temperature.

Christian Wardlaw

Nissan equips the Rock Creek with its Safety Shield 360 collection of driver-assistance systems. Additionally, ProPilot Assist is standard, combining adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assist to create a hands-on highway-driving system.

The Pathfinder's version of ProPilot Assist is rudimentary. On straight sections of freeways, it works reasonably well. However, as traffic builds, the technology tends to brake late, then brakes too hard, which surprises motorists following behind the Pathfinder. Additionally, ProPilot Assist determines that the driver is holding the steering wheel by detecting small steering inputs. But the tech, which requires those, also resists them.

As soon as you encounter a curve, ProPilot Assist struggles to maintain lane position. When the driver tries to add small steering inputs to keep the SUV centered, the tech resists, forcing the driver to override the tech's resistance. Unfortunately, that occurs right about the time ProPilot Assist suddenly shuts off, returning the steering duties to the driver, who is now using more force than necessary and overcorrects. Sloppy driving is the result.

Overall, the Pathfinder's ProPilot Assist requires continuous monitoring and driver inputs. That makes it a constant concern and distraction, and that's no fun.

Christian Wardlaw

Avoid Rocks and Creeks When Driving a Pathfinder Rock Creek

Every Rock Creek has a slightly more powerful version of the 3.5-liter V6 engine found in every Pathfinder. It boasts 295 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque, representing increases of 11 horsepower and 11 lb-ft over other trim levels. The Rock Creek also has standard all-wheel drive, a nine-speed automatic transmission, and a trailer hitch and wiring harness to take advantage of its 6,000-pound towing capacity.

Nissan knows how to build an excellent V6 engine, and the Pathfinder Rock Creek has plenty of satisfying power. The transmission occasionally demonstrated harsh or delayed shifts, though, and subtle tugs of torque steer remind you that the Pathfinder is a front driver until power flows to the rear wheels.

While the V6 is a treat, its fuel economy is trouble. The official EPA rating for the Rock Creek is 21 mpg in combined city and highway driving, the lowest of all Pathfinders. On my mountainous evaluation loop, the SUV averaged 18.6 mpg. Worse, the Rock Creek's more powerful V6 requires premium fuel instead of regular.

Christian Wardlaw

Most likely, the all-terrain tires, off-road suspension lift, and roof rack are the reasons why the Rock Creek is less efficient. Unfortunately, they're mostly for show. In light off-roading situations, this version of the Pathfinder soaks up small bumps and divots in a trail. But when I encountered deeper ruts, I scraped the SUV's underside, resulting in some damage. Based on that, you'll want to stay away from rocks and creeks when driving the Rock Creek.

On the highway, the tires sing while the roof rack whooshes. Additionally, this SUV demonstrates the straight-line stability of a gnat buzzing around a barbecue on a muggy summer evening. The wooden steering feels disconnected on-center, even though road texture thrums up through the column. When the SUV inevitably wanders within its lane, off-center steering inputs require too much effort, making smooth and precise steering corrections nearly impossible. This SUV is tiring to drive.

Additionally, the suspension provides a firm ride at low speeds, communicating every zit and scar in the pavement. At higher speeds, excess ride compliance gives the Rock Creek a woozy, lumbering, and heavy feel from behind the wheel. Attempt a mountain curve at more than the posted limit, and the Toyos fold over, begging for mercy. I did like the brakes, though.

Christian Wardlaw

Is the 2025 Nissan Pathfinder a Good SUV?

I suggest skipping the Rock Creek in favor of a different version of the 2025 Pathfinder. And unless you're a Nissan loyalist, you should skip the Pathfinder altogether.

What are your alternatives? If you're serious about going off-road, try the Toyota 4Runner. If you're planning to spend most of your time on pavement but want a rugged look, consider the Honda Pilot TrailSport. If fuel economy is a priority, consider the Kia Sorento Hybrid. And nothing beats a Volkswagen Atlas for interior room, comfort, and cargo space.

All vehicle pricing includes MSRP plus destination charges (set at the time of publication), and will be rounded to the nearest thousand.

Christian Wardlaw

Chris says his first word was "car." For as long as he can remember, he's been obsessed with them. The design. The engineering. The performance. And the purpose. He is a car enthusiast who loves to drive, but is most passionate about the cars, trucks, and SUVs that people actually buy. He began his career as the editor-in-chief of Edmunds.com in the 1990s, and for more than 30 years has created automotive content for CarGurus, J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, the New York Daily News, and others. Chris owns Speedy Daddy Media, has been contributing to Capital One Auto Navigator since 2019, and lives in California with his wife, kids, dog, and 2004 Mazdaspeed Miata.