“Excellent driving, smooth ride. Speakers give off the right sound. Good gas mileage in town & on the highway.”
2020 Nissan Pathfinder: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 4, 2026
The 2020 Nissan Pathfinder is mostly a carryover, with one notable trim-level change: the SV's heated steering wheel became standard instead of optional. The rest of the core lineup returned without meaningful powertrain, styling, safety, or infotainment changes.
About the 2020 Nissan Pathfinder
4th gen (R52, 2013-2020), final year of the generation after the 2017 refresh.
Nissan positioned the 2020 Pathfinder as a family-focused three-row SUV that mixes everyday comfort with a tougher, more adventure-ready personality than many car-based rivals. The core message was flexible seating, useful towing, available 4x4 confidence, and driver-assist technology for family trips and daily driving. In plain terms, it was the Pathfinder for shoppers who wanted space for seven, easier third-row access, and real towing strength without stepping up to a truck-based SUV.
The lineup runs from the practical S, with an 8-inch touchscreen, tri-zone climate control, and automatic emergency braking, to the convenience-focused SV with blind-spot warning and intelligent cruise control. The SL adds leather seating, navigation, a 360-degree camera, and heated first- and second-row seats, while Platinum tops the range with a panoramic moonroof, Bose audio, cooled front seats, and tow hardware.
What changed, by category
Tech
On the SV trim, the heated steering wheel moved from optional to standard equipment.
2020 Nissan Pathfinder specs and features by trim
| Feature | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | V6, 3.5 Liter | V6, 3.5 Liter | V6, 3.5 Liter | V6, 3.5 Liter |
| Transmission | Automatic, Xtronic CVT | Automatic, Xtronic CVT | Automatic, Xtronic CVT | Automatic, Xtronic CVT |
| Drivetrain | 2WD | 4WD | 4WD | 4WD |
| Fuel Type | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas |
| MPG City | 20 mpg | 20 mpg | 20 mpg | 20 mpg |
| MPG Highway | 27 mpg | 27 mpg | 27 mpg | 27 mpg |
| Horsepower | 284 hp | 284 hp | 284 hp | 284 hp |
| Torque | 259 lb-ft | 259 lb-ft | 259 lb-ft | 259 lb-ft |
| Max Towing | 6000 lb | 6000 lb | 6000 lb | 6000 lb |
| Trunk/Cargo | 79.5 cu-ft | 79.5 cu-ft | 79.5 cu-ft | 79.5 cu-ft |
| Rear Legroom | 30.7 in | 30.7 in | 30.7 in | 30.7 in |
| Seats | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| Doors | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Alarm System | ||||
| Automatic Emergency Braking | ||||
| Blindspot Sensors | ||||
| Hill Descent Control | ||||
| Rear View Camera | ||||
| 360 Camera | ||||
| Alloy Wheels | ||||
| Fog Lights | ||||
| Heated Mirrors | ||||
| LED Headlights | ||||
| Memory Exterior Mirrors | ||||
| Panorama Moon Roof | ||||
| Power Liftgate/Trunk Release | ||||
| Rear Spoiler | ||||
| Roof Rails | ||||
| Side Steps | ||||
| Trailer Hitch Receiver | ||||
| Navigation System | ||||
| Premium Audio | ||||
| Rear DVD Entertainment System | ||||
| Satellite Radio | ||||
| Smartphone Interface | ||||
| Subwoofer | ||||
| Touch Screen Monitor | ||||
| Auto-Dimming Interior Mirror | ||||
| Cooled Seats | ||||
| Dual Power Front Seats | ||||
| Heated Front Seats | ||||
| Heated Rear Seats | ||||
| Heated Steering Wheel | ||||
| Integrated Garage Door Opener | ||||
| Leather Seats | ||||
| Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel | ||||
| Memory Driver's Seat | ||||
| Memory Steering Wheel | ||||
| Power Driver Seat | ||||
| Proximity Keyless Entry | ||||
| Push-Button Engine Start | ||||
| Remote Start | ||||
| Third Row Seat | ||||
| Wood Interior Trim | ||||
Frequently asked questions
What changed on the 2020 Nissan Pathfinder compared with the 2019 model?
The main change is that the SV trim's heated steering wheel became standard instead of optional. The engine, transmission, styling, safety equipment, and infotainment setup otherwise carried over across the core lineup.
Is the 2020 Nissan Pathfinder a redesigned model?
No, the 2020 Pathfinder is not a redesign. It is the final model year of the fourth-generation Pathfinder, before the all-new 2022 model arrived.
Does the 2020 Nissan Pathfinder use the same engine as the 2019 model?
Yes, the 2020 Pathfinder keeps the same 284-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 and continuously variable automatic transmission used for 2019.
Which 2020 Nissan Pathfinder trim has the most comfort features?
The Platinum has the most comfort features in the 2020 lineup. Its equipment includes cooled front seats, a panoramic moonroof, Bose audio, a power-adjustable steering column, and memory settings for the driver's seat, steering wheel, and mirrors.
Is the 2020 Nissan Pathfinder meaningfully different from the 2019 model?
No, the 2020 Pathfinder is not meaningfully different from the 2019 model for most shoppers. The SV's newly standard heated steering wheel is the only notable equipment change, so condition, mileage, and service history are likely to matter more when comparing the two years.
2020 Nissan Pathfinder Reviews
What owners are saying about the 2020 Nissan Pathfinder.
4.0
2020 Nissan Pathfinder
(512 reviews)
“You will love absolutely everything about the Nissan Pathfinder from the look to the performance.”
“The mileage seems less than advertised. 3rd row seating and configurations help immensely as I have kids and a grandchild.”