What is the best year for a Nissan Pathfinder?

Strongly avoid 2013-2014 (888 and 568 complaints, with 18 and 28 severe respectively), driven by well-documented CVT transmission failures in the third generation. The 2022-2025 fourth-generation window is substantially cleaner: 2024 (64 complaints, 10/10 safety, 1 severe) and 2025 (39, 10/10, 2 severe) are the strongest years on record.

How much does Nissan Pathfinder insurance cost?

Pathfinder insurance averages around $2,477/year — roughly $206/month.

Is the Nissan Pathfinder or Toyota Highlander cheaper to maintain?

The Highlander is cheaper to maintain by $53/year — $489 versus $542 for the Pathfinder. The Highlander also has a higher reliability score (8 vs. 7). Repair frequency data isn't available for the Highlander for a complete comparison, but on cost and reliability score, the Highlander holds a clear edge.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Nissan Pathfinder?

Major repair probability of 15% and repair frequency of 43% are both slightly above the three-row class average. The 2013-2014 CVT failures are the most significant risk factor for used buyers — warranty coverage is strongly recommended for those years. For 2022 and newer, the risk profile is more moderate, though the slightly above-average probabilities make warranty worth weighing for high-mileage plans.

Is the Toyota Highlander expensive to maintain?

The Toyota Highlander averages $489 a year in maintenance. That is $84 below the three-row segment average of $573. Owners bring it in for unscheduled repairs an average of 0.33 times per year, below the three-row segment at 0.4. Its reliability score is 8/10. Verdict: cheaper than average to keep on the road.

What is the best year for a Toyota Highlander?

Judged on complaint rate, severity, and safety scores across its own history, the Toyota Highlander's strongest year is 2025 — 9 complaints, a 10/10 safety score, 2 severe issues. 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, and 2015 also rate well. Recent years show fewer complaints partly because they have spent less time on the road. The weakest years by those same measures are 2013, 2016, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2024 — worth closer inspection before buying, not an automatic pass. Verdict: 2025 is the strongest pick.

How much does Toyota Highlander insurance cost?

Full-coverage insurance for the Toyota Highlander averages $2,401 a year, about $200 a month (industry average). That is more than the three-row segment average of $2,396. Actual rates vary by trim, location, and driving record — compare quotes before buying.

Is the Toyota Highlander or Honda Pilot cheaper to maintain?

Maintenance runs $489 a year on the Toyota Highlander versus $542 on the Honda Pilot. Reliability scores are 8/10 and 7.0/10. Unscheduled repairs average 0.33 versus 0.51 times per year. Verdict: the Toyota Highlander is the cheaper of the two to run.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Toyota Highlander?

The chance of a major repair in a given year is 13%, so roughly 87 in 100 owners will not face one — in line with the three-row segment norm of 13%. Reliability sits at 8/10. Verdict: optional — worth it only if you want predictable costs.

Nissan Pathfinder vs Toyota Highlander

Two three-row SUVs compared on the numbers that matter — maintenance cost, reliability, and insurance.

// VERDICT

Our verdict

Buy the Nissan Pathfinder if its specific features or size suit your needs better.

Buy the Toyota Highlander — lower 5-year cost and better reliability.

// COST HEAD TO HEAD

Maintenance and ownership cost

	Nissan Pathfinder	Toyota Highlander
Annual repairs	$542	$489winner
5-year repair cost	$2,710	$2,445winner
Scheduled service (to 150k mi)	$17,564	$11,956winner
Reliability score	7 / 10	8 / 10winner
Major repair risk (5yr)	15%	13%winner
Cargo space	80.5 cu ft	—
Starting price (new)	$40,800winner	$46,500

// RELIABILITY

Which is more reliable?

	Nissan Pathfinder	Toyota Highlander
RepairPal score	7 / 10	8 / 10winner
NHTSA complaints / 100k	269.4	137.1winner
Strongest years	2010, 2011, 2012	2010, 2011, 2012
Weakest years	2013, 2014, 2022	2013, 2016, 2019
Value retained · 3 yr	69.2%	83.6%winner
Value retained · 5 yr	47.1%	63.7%winner
Value retained · 7 yr	35%	51.5%winner

// COMMON PROBLEMS

What breaks — and what it costs

	Nissan Pathfinder	Toyota Highlander
Engine	34.7%	27.1%winner
Electrical	4.6%winner	8.2%
ADAS	7.9%	7.7%winner
Brakes	7.5%winner	8.6%
Suspension	1.8%	—winner
Steering	1.3%winner	5.6%
Fuel system	1.7%winner	5.4%
Tires/Wheels	—winner	3.2%
Glass/Windows	5.5%	5.4%winner
Airbags	14.2%	5.6%winner

One major repair on either model can run $1,500–4,000. A warranty caps your exposure, especially on known problem years.

// INSURANCE

Which is cheaper to insure?

	Nissan Pathfinder	Toyota Highlander
Avg annual premium	$2,477	$2,401winner

// FULL MODEL PAGES

GAS

Nissan Pathfinder

$542/yr maint · 7 reliability

Full model page

GAS

Toyota Highlander

$489/yr maint · 8 reliability

Full model page

// FAQ

Common questions

The Pathfinder costs $542/year to maintain — $31 below the three-row segment average of $573. Repair frequency of 43% is slightly above the class average of 40%. Reliability score of 7 matches the segment average. Major repair probability of 15% is slightly above the 13% norm. Below-average cost but a slightly above-average risk profile.

How we calculated this. Repair costs, reliability scores, and maintenance schedules from RepairPal. Complaints and recalls from NHTSA. Fuel economy from the EPA and fuel prices from the EIA. Insurance averages from CarEdge. Pricing from KBB. Depreciation from iSeeCars. Full methodology →