21 MPG combined won’t excite everyone, but it’s a reasonable trade-off for the 2018 Nissan Pathfinder 4WD Platinum. This vehicle isn’t bought for its fuel efficiency. Families choose it because they need three rows of seating, plenty of cargo space, and the confidence of four-wheel drive for bad weather or light off-road use. The 3.5L V6 provides decent power, and while the MPG isn’t the best in its class, buyers likely already know this.

City and highway performance

The EPA estimates the 2018 Nissan Pathfinder 4WD Platinum gets 19 MPG in the city and 26 MPG on the highway. These numbers reflect the realities of city driving with its stops and starts, and the steadier speeds of highway travel. The city figure suffers from the Pathfinder’s weight and the constant accelerating and decelerating. The highway MPG benefits from the continuously variable transmission (CVT), which helps keep the engine operating efficiently at cruising speeds. However, aggressive passing on the highway will lower that number.

Annual fuel cost

The EPA estimates the annual fuel cost for the 2018 Nissan Pathfinder 4WD Platinum at $2,100. This is based on driving 15,000 miles per year and national average fuel prices. Your actual fuel cost will change based on how you drive and local fuel prices, but this gives you a standard to use for comparison. If you drive much more than 15,000 miles per year, expect to spend more on fuel. Also, aggressive driving will increase this expense.

Real-world expectations

The EPA provides a baseline, but real-world MPG often varies. Expect that 21 MPG combined to change. Shorter trips, especially in cold weather, will probably give you lower fuel economy because the engine needs time to warm up. Longer highway drives at steady speeds, with little braking and acceleration, could push your MPG closer to the EPA highway estimate, or even a bit higher. Think about how you drive and the routes you usually take when you’re figuring out your personal fuel costs. The type of fuel you choose may also make a small difference.

How it compares

The 2018 Nissan Pathfinder’s fuel economy isn’t special in its class. The Honda Pilot, particularly with front-wheel drive, often gets slightly better numbers, around 22 MPG combined in real-world driving. The Toyota Highlander, another popular choice, has similar fuel economy to the Pathfinder, but the hybrid version is much better. The Ford Explorer, especially with its turbocharged engines, usually gets worse fuel economy than the Pathfinder. This comparison is important to someone considering the Pathfinder because while they need the space and capability, they also care about running costs. They want a vehicle that meets their needs without wasting gas.

Tips to maximize efficiency

Accelerating and braking gently are key to getting the best fuel economy in the Pathfinder. Avoid sudden bursts of speed and try to anticipate traffic to avoid hard braking. The CVT transmission is designed to optimize fuel efficiency, so let it do its job by driving smoothly and at a steady pace.

Proper tire inflation is important. Check your tire pressure often and make sure it’s at the levels recommended on the driver’s side doorjamb. Underinflated tires create more rolling resistance, which lowers fuel economy. This simple task makes a noticeable difference over time.

Minimize idling. If you’re stopped for more than a minute, it’s usually better to turn off the engine than to let it sit and idle. Modern engines are made to restart quickly and efficiently, and idling wastes fuel. This is especially important in cities where stoplights and traffic jams are common.

Reduce weight. Extra cargo adds to the vehicle’s weight, which hurts fuel economy. Take out anything you don’t need from the trunk and cargo area. This could be anything from golf clubs you only use once a week, to removing junk that has piled up.

Think about using cruise control on the highway. Cruise control helps keep a steady speed, which can improve fuel efficiency. It reduces changes in throttle that can waste fuel. But watch out for hills, because the cruise control may work harder to maintain speed, which could cancel out some of the fuel savings. For all Nissan fuel economy data, explore the brand’s full lineup. You can also review PATHFINDER MPG across all years to see long-term trends.