I’ve spent this week with the very attractive and very capable 2025 Nissan Pathfinder Rock Creek edition. This SUV has many unique features that are different from the regular Pathfinder, which is also nice, but if you are an off-roader, this is the one for you.
Exterior
I find the exterior to be extremely attractive. I love the Nissan grill and the way the LED headlights flow into the body, the rear quarter panels are flared slightly, the 18” wheels and tires look terrific.
The boxy, sculpted fenders give the Pathfinder instant recognition, and the rear spoiler and tubular roof rack look great.
Powertrain
What’s under the hood on the Rock Creek version versus the regular Pathfinder is a naturally-aspirated 3.5-liter V6, with no turbos. It is putting out 295-horses and a strong 270-pound feet of torque. It is mated a conventional 9-speed automatic transmission that has shift paddles. The Rock Creek Edition has Nissan’s Intelligent 4-wheel drive system, which is what this SUV was built for, yet it is quite enjoyable on pavement as well.
Interior
Nissan did a great job with the interior as well. The leatherette and fabric heated seats are very comfortable and roomy. The gauge cluster is simple and easy to read with a configurable driver info center right in the middle that is controlled from the steering wheel. There is some light stitching across the dash and across the door panels, but overall, the interior is fairly minimalistic.
Center dash, easily within reach, is an 8” touchscreen that handles the audio system, Bluetooth, Sirius XM, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a Wi-Fi Hot Spot, a host of apps, and it houses the around-view backup camera with cross-traffic alert.
The center console houses the gear shifter, a couple of large cup holders, the electronic emergency brakes, the Auto Hold button, and a button to turn off the start/stop system. This is also where you control the drive modes, which include: snow, mud/ruts, sand, tow, auto, sport, and eco.
The 3rd-row seat has limited room and is best suited for children. The 2nd-row captains will flip over for 3rd-row access, or you can remove the center console for an easy pass-through. Cargo area is also fairly small, but there is underneath storage that would hold a lot of additional cargo out of sight, and there is a temporary spare under there.
Features, Options and Safety
The Pathfinder Rock Creek comes well equipped. Most notable is: remote start, LED fog lights, the tubular roof rack, 10-way power driver’s seat, heated seats, power liftgate, Pro Pilot Assist, the semi-self-driving system, and a trailer hitch.
More on the terrific ProPilot Assist. ProPILOT Assist is a hands-on driver assist system that combines the Intelligent Cruise Control and Steering Assist technologies and includes a stop and hold function that can bring the vehicle to a full stop, hold in place and can bring you back up to speed when traffic starts moving again, and it works great.
On the safety front there is automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning with lane intervention, high-beam assist, rear automatic braking, blind-spot monitoring, backup sensors, and adaptive cruise control.
Ride and Drive
The Pathfinder Rock Creek is an extremely capable off-roader, but is also a wonderful daily driver. Handling is superb and the ride is terrific. The 3.5 provides very good acceleration, and the 9-speed automatic shifts smoothly, but with determination. The Rock Creek is also very quiet inside.
Fuel economy is rated at 20 in town, 23 on the highway, and 21 overall. It seemed to be doing slightly better.
What You'll Pay
Everything you see is included with the Rock Creek package except for the $345 all-season floor mats, and the 2-tone paint runs $495. Total MSRP is $47,390 with destination
Verdict
This is a great SUV, and it is one of the best values in a midsized SUV on the market today, especially since Nissan stays aggressive with the incentives and lease specials.
- What I Liked Most: The terrific looks and the overall value.
- What I would change: Honestly, there is nothing not to like.
- MSRP: Base price $45,100/Total MSRP $47,390 with transportation.
- Fuel Economy: Rated at 20 City/23 highway/21 combined.
- Odometer reading when tested: 4,950 miles.
- Weight: 4,605 pounds/5,900 pound GVWR.
- Spare tire: Compact spare tire.
- Length-Width-Height: 197.7” long/77.9” wide/70.9” high.
- Fuel Tank Capacity: 18.49 gallons with the filler on the driver’s side.
- Towing Capacity: 6,000 pounds.
- Official Color: What I Liked Most: The terrific looks and incredible value.
- Spare tire: Compact spare tire.
- Official Color: Green Metallic/Black roof.
- 2025 Pathfinder Rock Creek in a few words: Great SUV on the pavement and even better off the beaten path.
- Warranty: First 3 oil changes for no charge, plus 3-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper, 5-year/60,000 mile power train warranty with roadside assistance.
- Final Assembly Location: Smyrna, TN.
- Manufacturer's website: Nissan
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