2023 Nissan Pathfinder vs. 2023 GMC Acadia

June 1st, 2023 by

Are you in the market for a new midsize three-row SUV that will fit you and your entire family, including the family dog? If so, you may have discovered that the 2023 Nissan Pathfinder and the 2023 GMC Acadia are top contenders in their categories. They’re each spacious and well-appointed, with plenty of room inside for you and the family to spread out. But which one will be the right choice for you? This article will pit the 2023 Nissan Pathfinder against the 2023 GMC Acadia to see which comes out on top. Read on to find out the results.

Appearance

red 2023 nissan pathfinder

If size is going to be one of the determining factors when you’re trying to decide between the 2023 Nissan Pathfinder and the 2023 GMC Acadia, the Pathfinder wins that contest easily. It’s about 4 inches longer, 2 inches wider, and 4 inches taller than the Acadia. In addition, the 2023 Pathfinder has a more rugged look and imposing feel than the 2023 Acadia. From its chunky grille to its raised suspension to its 18-inch all-terrain tires, the 2023 Pathfinder gives the impression that it’s ready for whatever adventures lie ahead for you and your family.

Engine

The 2023 GMC Acadia has an optional 3.6-liter V-6 engine that can produce up to 310 horsepower, making it slightly more powerful than the 2023 Nissan Pathfinder. But if you only stack the standard engines in these two SUVs up against one another, the 2023 Pathfinder is the clear-cut winner. All 2023 Pathfinder models have a 3.5-liter V-6 engine that can produce up to 284 horsepower. Meanwhile, the 2023 Acadia comes standard with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produces up to 228 horsepower. Both come with nine-speed automatic transmissions and optional all-wheel drive.

Fuel Economy

Although the 2023 Nissan Pathfinder is bigger than the 2023 GMC Acadia, the fuel economy numbers for each SUV are pretty comparable. When you put both models featuring a V-6 engine and front-wheel drive next to one another, the 2023 Pathfinder gets about 21 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway, while the 2023 Acadia gets about 19 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway. These numbers are impressive for two of the larger SUVs in their class, with the numbers for the 2023 Pathfinder giving it a slight edge.

Interior

The first thing you’ll notice when comparing the interior of the 2023 Nissan Pathfinder against the 2023 GMC Acadia is that the Pathfinder has much more room inside. It has three sizeable rows and 145 cubic feet of passenger space, so it can seat eight comfortably. The 2023 Acadia also has three rows, but with just 142 cubic feet of passenger space, the third row can feel cramped.

With no notable changes from the previous year, the 2023 Acadia’s aluminum and black interior style conveys understated refinement, but overall, the design remains basic. The 2023 Pathfinder, on the other hand, has a more modern, revamped truck-like design with comfortable seating, easily accessible controls, and a slew of available options that allow for plenty of customization. This can include captain’s chairs in the second row, leather upholstery, a panoramic sunroof, and much more.

Cargo

You’ll undoubtedly want to take your SUV out on family road trips. When loading up for your adventure, cargo space will be paramount, and you’ll be happy to hear that the 2023 Nissan Pathfinder has plenty of it. You’ll find 17 cubic feet of cargo space in the back, much more than the 13 cubic feet found in the 2023 GMC Acadia. Nissan also found a way to jam-pack even more space into the latest Pathfinder by thoughtfully incorporating storage cubbies into the interior’s design, including a large bin directly below the center console.

Technology

One area in which the 2023 GMC Acadia manages to keep pace with the 2023 Nissan Pathfinder is in the technology category. Both SUVs come standard with 8-inch touch-screen displays equipped with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The 2023 Pathfinder does pull slightly ahead, though, when you add options like a 12.3-inch digital gauge display, a wireless smartphone charging pad, and in-dash navigation. You can also take the tech in the new Pathfinder to the next level with a 13-speaker Bose premium audio system.

Safety

Both the 2023 Nissan Pathfinder and the 2023 GMC Acadia excel in safety technology and include a host of driver-assistance features. The 2023 Pathfinder includes automatic high-beam headlights, automated emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and optional features like adaptive cruise control. The 2023 Acadia has a very similar list of standard safety features. But even here, the Pathfinder gets a slight edge thanks to the ProPilot Assist semi-autonomous driving mode included in the top trims.

Price

So far, the Pathfinder has come out on top in almost every category compared to the Acadia. And so, after hearing about all the advantages the 2023 Nissan Pathfinder has over the 2023 GMC Acadia, it’s logical to think the Pathfinder will be the more expensive choice. But you may be surprised to discover that, in fact, it has a lower starting price than the Acadia. The 2023 Pathfinder starts at just $35,200 MSRP, while the 2023 Acadia starts at $36,500 MSRP. It’s yet another reason to consider financing a Nissan Pathfinder today.

Test-Drive the 2023 Nissan Pathfinder in St. Louis

Are you curious about the 2023 Nissan Pathfinder and want to know more about it? If you’re interested in investing in one of our new SUVs, AutoCenters Nissan can get you behind the wheel and help guide you through each step of your vehicle purchase. You’re welcome to visit us and browse our selection, and then take one for a test drive to see what it can do. You’ll find out for yourself why the 2023 Pathfinder is ultimately a better option than the 2023 GMC Acadia.

Contact us to schedule an appointment for a test drive or stop by to speak with one of our friendly staff members about the 2023 Pathfinder.