2015 Ford Flex vs 2016 Nissan Pathfinder vs 2016 Toyota Highlander

2015 Ford Flex

2016 Nissan Pathfinder

2016 Toyota Highlander

Select style

4-Door Limited AWD

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
Flex 4-Door Limited AWD	17	23	$36,975	$39,650
Flex 4-Door Limited AWD w/EcoBoost	16	23	$39,538	$42,400
Flex 4-Door Limited FWD	18	25	$35,155	$37,700
Flex 4-Door SE FWD	18	25	$27,427	$29,100
Flex 4-Door SEL AWD	17	23	$31,753	$34,050
Flex 4-Door SEL FWD	18	25	$29,933	$32,100

Select style

2WD 4-Door Platinum

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
Pathfinder 2WD 4-Door Platinum	20	27	$38,663	$41,610
Pathfinder 2WD 4-Door S	20	27	$27,731	$29,830
Pathfinder 2WD 4-Door SL	20	27	$33,837	$36,410
Pathfinder 2WD 4-Door SV	20	27	$30,812	$33,150
Pathfinder 4WD 4-Door Platinum	19	26	$40,231	$43,300
Pathfinder 4WD 4-Door S	19	26	$29,300	$31,520
Pathfinder 4WD 4-Door SL	19	26	$35,405	$38,100
Pathfinder 4WD 4-Door SV	19	26	$32,380	$34,840

Select style

AWD 4-Door V6 LE

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
Highlander AWD 4-Door V6 LE	18	24	$30,563	$33,475
Highlander AWD 4-Door V6 LE Plus	18	24	$32,736	$35,855
Highlander AWD 4-Door V6 Limited	18	24	$38,690	$42,375
Highlander AWD 4-Door V6 Limited Platinum	18	24	$41,077	$44,990
Highlander AWD 4-Door V6 XLE	18	24	$35,403	$38,775
Highlander FWD 4-Door I4 LE	20	25	$27,837	$30,490
Highlander FWD 4-Door V6 LE	19	25	$29,229	$32,015
Highlander FWD 4-Door V6 LE Plus	19	25	$31,403	$34,395
Highlander FWD 4-Door V6 Limited	19	25	$37,356	$40,915
Highlander FWD 4-Door V6 Limited Platinum	19	25	$39,744	$43,530
Highlander FWD 4-Door V6 XLE	19	25	$34,069	$37,315
Highlander Hybrid AWD 4-Door Limited	27	28	$43,705	$47,870
Highlander Hybrid AWD 4-Door Limited Platinum	27	28	$46,094	$50,485

Show Only Differences

Pricing

Invoice Price

$36,975

$38,663

$30,563

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price

$39,650

$41,610

$33,475

Monthly Payment Estimate

$661 / month

$694 / month

$558 / month

The Car Connection's Take

TCC Rating

8.8

Read Our Full Review

8.0

Read Our Full Review

8.2

Read Our Full Review

TCC’s Bottom Line

If you're looking to make a statement while you shuffle the kids around, it's hard to beat the 2015 Ford Flex.

The 2016 Nissan Pathfinder lacks sporty or off-road intentions, instead offering space for seven in a composed, quiet environment.

The 2016 Toyota Highlander isn't all that exciting to look at or to drive, but it's very versatile and handsome enough to be a great minivan alternative.

TCC Likes

Ride and handling are impressive for its size
Even more refined than before
Supple, comfortable seats

Clever folding second row
Spacious interior
Composed, quiet ride

Wide range of powertrains
Flexible second row
Easy third-row access

TCC Dislikes

Pricey as a Platinum or Limited
Styling, party of one
Back seats not so easy to reach

Far from a sports car
Drab interior materials
Base model missing Bluetooth

Design is better, but still bland
Just-adequate powertrains
Somewhat busy dash design

Fuel Economy

City

17 mpg

20 mpg

18 mpg

Highway

23 mpg

27 mpg

24 mpg

Vehicle

EPA Classification

Standard Sport Utility Vehicles 4WD

Small Sport Utility Vehicles 2WD

Small Sport Utility Vehicles 4WD

Interior Dimensions

Front Shoulder Room (in)

58.4

60.7

59.3

Third Leg Room (in)

33.3

30.7

27.7

Second Head Room (in)

40.5

38.5

39.9

Third Hip Room (in)

41.1

45.6

Second Shoulder Room (in)

58.1

60.4

59.6

Passenger Capacity

Front Leg Room (in)

40.8

42.3

44.2

Third Head Room (in)

38.7

36.5

35.9

Front Hip Room (in)

55.5

56.8

57.2

Third Shoulder Room (in)

50.8

57.1

Second Leg Room (in)

44.3

41.7

38.4

Front Head Room (in)

41.8

41.1

40.7

Second Hip Room (in)

56.1

57.1

Passenger Volume (ft³)

155.8

157.8

144.9

Exterior Dimensions

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)

75.9

77.2

75.8

Track Width, Front (in)

65.4

65.7

64.4

Min Ground Clearance (in)

5.9

Length, Overall (in)

201.8

197.2

191.1

Height, Overall (in)

69.6

68.1

Track Width, Rear (in)

65.4

65.7

64.2

Wheelbase (in)

117.9

114.2

109.8

Cargo Area Dimensions

Cargo Volume to Seat 1 (ft³)

83.2

79.8

83.7

Cargo Volume to Seat 3 (ft³)

13.8

Cargo Volume to Seat 2 (ft³)

43.2

47.8

42.3

Cargo Area Length @ Floor to Seat 1 (in)

78.9

Cargo Area Length @ Floor to Seat 3 (in)

19.8

13.8

Cargo Box (Area) Height (in)

31.4

Cargo Area Length @ Floor to Seat 2 (in)

51.1

Cargo Area Width @ Beltline (in)

45.9

Brakes

Drum - Rear (Yes or )

Brake ABS System

4-Wheel

Disc - Rear (Yes or )

Yes

Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

12.1

12.2

Brake Type

4-Wheel Disc

Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)

Disc - Front (Yes or )

Yes

Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

12.8

12.6

12.9

Fuel Tank

Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)

19.5

19.2

Steering

Steering Type

Rack-Pinion

Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)

40.7

38.7

Tires

Spare Tire Size

Compact

Front Tire Order Code

Spare Tire Order Code

Rear Tire Size

P235/55HR19

P235/55SR20

P245/60SR18

Rear Tire Order Code

Front Tire Size

P235/55HR19

P235/55SR20

P245/60SR18

Trailering

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

2000

5000

Maximum Trailering Capacity (lbs)

2000

5000

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

200

500

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

200

500

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

2000

5000

Weight Information

Base Curb Weight (lbs)

4637

4345

4398

Wheels

Rear Wheel Material

Aluminum

Rear Wheel Size (in)

19 X 8

20 X 7.5

18 X 7.5

Front Wheel Material

Aluminum

Spare Wheel Material

Steel

Front Wheel Size (in)

19 X 8

20 X 7.5

18 X 7.5

Spare Wheel Size (in)

Compact

Electrical

Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)

650

Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)

150

130

Engine

Displacement

3.5 L/213

3.5 L/211

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM

287 @ 6500

260 @ 6400

270 @ 6200

Engine Type

Regular Unleaded V-6

Fuel System

Sequential MPI

SAE Net Torque @ RPM

254 @ 4000

240 @ 4400

248 @ 4700

Engine Order Code

998

Mileage

Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)

Transmission

Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)

3.65

5.25

4.15

Third Gear Ratio (:1)

1.84

1.42

Trans Type

Drivetrain

All Wheel

Front Wheel Drive

All Wheel

Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.00

0.71

Trans Description Cont. Again

Reverse Ratio (:1)

2.88

1.77

4.15

Second Gear Ratio (:1)

2.87

1.90

Trans Order Code

44J

Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.41

1.00

Trans Description Cont.

Automatic w/OD

CVT w/OD

Automatic w/OD

Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.74

0.61

First Gear Ratio (:1)

4.48

2.41 - 0.38

3.30

Summary

Vehicle Name

Ford Flex

Nissan Pathfinder

Toyota Highlander

Body Style

Sport Utility

Suspension

Suspension Type - Rear

Multi-Link

Double Wishbone

Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)

Multi-Link

Double Wishbone

Suspension Type - Front

Strut

Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)

Strut

Emissions

Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year

9.3

7.6

8.8

Crash Test Ratings

Overall Rating

Overall Frontal Barrier Crash Rating

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Driver

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Passenger

Overall Side Crash Rating

Side Barrier Rating

Side Barrier Rating Driver

Side Barrier Rating Passenger Rear Seat

Side Pole Rating Driver Front Seat

Combined Side Rating Front Seat

Combined Side Rating Rear Seat

Rollover Rating

Get FREE Dealer Quotes

From dealers near you

Go!

Compare 2015 Ford Flex vs 2016 Nissan Pathfinder vs 2016 Toyota Highlander

Get FREE Dealer Quotes