Nissan Pathfinder Station Wagon (2005-2014) running costs and reliability

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Running costs rating: 3 out of 53.0

Written by Tim Bowdler Published: 6 June 2019

Miles per pound (mpp)

Reliable fuel consumption data for comparison purposes is not available for this model.

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Fuel economy

A more stringent standard for fuel economy (WLTP) was introduced from September 2017, and this model was not required to undergo that test. Its fuel economy measured under the previous test system was 20 - 33 mpg. However these figures are less likely to be achievable in real world driving and so should never be compared to another car's mpg which was measured under the newer, more realistic WLTP system.

View mpg & specs for any version

You’ll get an average fuel consumption figure of around 31mpg from the diesel but only 24mpg in town, but nevertheless overall Nissan Pathfinder running costs are acceptable. From late 2006 the diesel engine was modified to ensure it met the latest emissions rules which made it slightly thirstier. Insurance ranges from group 13 for S and SE trim levels (also for the later Trek and Sport models) and group 14 for SVE and T-Spec (and later Aventura diesel).

V6 engines have group 16 insurance. Servicing at Nissan dealers is good value but maintenance intervals of 9,000 miles are quite short. From the 2010 model year changes, the Pathfinder averages 33.2mpg and emits 224g/km of CO2. That means it slips into VED Band K. Opt for the auto though fuel consumption climbs to 31.4mpg and 238g/km of CO2. That means the pricy VED Band L.

Both cars attract the maximum 35% rate of company car tax. So how does that compare with some its competition? Not too well. The automatic-only Land Cruiser averages a few miles more per gallon at 34.9mpg while emitting 214g/km of CO2. That means it’s eligible for the same road tax banding but it slips into the lower 34% company car tax banding.

It might not come as a surprise that Nissan Pathfinder emissions are high. The Pathfinder may now only come with a diesel engine but it is still a polluting model. The dCi unit emits 224g/km of CO2 and averages 33.2mpg. Opting for the automatic sees CO2 rise to 238g/km and economy fall to 31.4mpg.

While Nissan’s reliability record is usually good, the Pathfinder shares its platform with a generation of Navara pickup that has been acknowledged by Nissan to suffer from chassis corrosion (rust) that can become severe if left untreated. In some cases this has resulted in the understructure cracking and even failing completely.

Nissan has confirmed that a small number of Pathfinders have also been affected, so we would strongly advise having the undersides of any Pathfinder you’re considering buying checked over by a professional. Examine service and MOT history carefully for signs of previous repairs as well.