2025 Jeep Wrangler vs 2025 Nissan Pathfinder

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler Sport S, with its black-on-black-on-black colour scheme, was not the ideal choice for a tropical climate, but it still managed to charm with its rugged appeal. Despite the heat-sink colour combination, the Wrangler's design, rooted in its military heritage, remained fundamentally appealing. The Sport S trim, priced at $66,070 in Canada, offered a few options like a black hardtop and a turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Inside, the Wrangler focused on function over form, with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a design meant to withstand dirt and mud. Its appeal lay in its capability to traverse almost any terrain, making it a popular choice despite its lack of sophistication compared to other modern vehicles.

In contrast, the 2025 Nissan Pathfinder, tested during a snowstorm, showcased its capability with the Rock Creek trim. Equipped with 3-Peak Mud-and-Snow-rated tires and standard all-wheel drive, the Pathfinder handled the snowy conditions with ease. Redesigned for the 2022 model year, the Pathfinder's fifth generation featured an assertive front end and protective cladding. The Rock Creek trim added adventurous elements like a metal roof rack and exposed trailer hitch. Inside, the Pathfinder offered comfort with leatherette-and-cloth upholstery and heated front seats. While it lacked the ruggedness of its predecessors, the Pathfinder provided a comfortable and capable ride, suitable for light off-roading and everyday use.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler offered two engine options: a 3.6-litre V6 with a six-speed manual transmission and a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The latter produced 270 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, offering a lively performance, especially at higher elevations. The turbocharged engine was also slightly more fuel-efficient, with a combined rating of 11.0 litres per 100 kilometres. The Wrangler's standard four-wheel drive, high ground clearance, and generous approach and departure angles made it a capable off-road vehicle. However, its rough ride and three-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA were concerns for on-road driving.

The 2025 Nissan Pathfinder came with a single engine option: a naturally aspirated 3.5-litre V6. The Rock Creek trim offered a slight power boost to 295 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque, though it required premium fuel. A nine-speed automatic transmission handled the power well, and the Pathfinder's towing capacity reached 2,720 kilograms in the Platinum and Rock Creek trims. The Pathfinder's soft suspension provided a comfortable ride on bumpy roads but felt floaty on twisty roads. Its fuel economy was reasonable, with the Rock Creek trim averaging 13.6 L/100 km over a 320-kilometre evaluation. The Pathfinder's seven drive modes and hill descent control enhanced its traction management, making it suitable for various driving conditions.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler's high ground clearance and narrow door openings made entry and exit challenging. Inside, the front seats were comfortable, and the Sport S trim's cloth upholstery was climate-friendly. The Wrangler's interior space was limited, with rear-seat legroom adequate but not generous. Cargo access was cumbersome, requiring the tailgate and rear window to be opened separately. The four-door model offered 897 litres of cargo space, expandable to 2,050 litres with the back seat folded.

The 2025 Nissan Pathfinder, though smaller on paper, provided ample interior space. During a ski trip with four adults, it accommodated skis, luggage, and groceries comfortably. The Pathfinder offered 470 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 1,274 litres with the third row folded. With both the second and third rows down, capacity reached 2,279 litres. The Pathfinder's EZ Flex Seating System allowed easy access to the third row without removing car seats, enhancing its practicality for families.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system with a 12.3-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio preparation. The system was user-friendly, even with the roof panels removed. The Convenience Group pack added a 7-inch digital display and passive entry, while the Safety Group option included rear parking sensors.

The 2025 Nissan Pathfinder's infotainment system lagged behind competitors, with an 8-inch screen in lower trims and a 9-inch screen in SL and Platinum trims. The Pathfinder offered Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but wireless projection was limited to Apple devices on the 9-inch screen. The Platinum trim featured a 13-speaker Bose system and a 12.3-inch driver-information display. Navigation was standard only on higher trims, and a head-up display was exclusive to the Platinum.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler included side curtain airbags as standard, a significant safety upgrade. Optional safety features included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, while forward collision warning was available only on the Sahara trim. The Wrangler received a four-star frontal-impact rating and a three-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA. The IIHS rated it Good for side-impact protection but Marginal for small overlap frontal-impact.

The 2025 Nissan Pathfinder earned a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. It came standard with a comprehensive suite of ADAS, including blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic emergency braking. Adaptive cruise control and ProPilot Assist were also standard, enhancing its safety credentials.