Nissan has its Murano for crossover shoppers, so the Pathfinder takes position in its lineup for those who need a serious truck.
First off, more carlike choices such as the Ford Edge, Honda Pilot, Chevrolet Traverse, or Nissan's own Murano are all better choices than the 2010 Pathfinder if you don't plan to tow or haul regularly.
The Toyota 4Runner was completely redesigned last year, and it ends up feeling better appointed inside and offers a bit more comfort.
Like the Pathfinder, the 4Runner is focused on off-roading and serious truck duty, though there's a new base four-cylinder 4Runner model that offers slightly better fuel economy.
The Jeep Grand Cherokee is all-new for 2011, and with smooth, responsive powertrains, a well-tuned chassis, and top-notch safety, the Grand is quite possibly the best vehicle in this class for those who need to tow but don't want to give up luxury.
But for those who are willing to sacrifice some 'truckiness' in the name of more frugal operation, the all-new Ford Explorer is a promising candidate.
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 2011 Nissan PathfinderBrowse Used Listings |  2011 Ford ExplorerBrowse Used Listings |  2011 Jeep Grand CherokeeBrowse Used Listings |  2011 Toyota 4RunnerBrowse Used Listings |
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| Quick Specs | |||
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The 2011 Nissan Pathfinder is a workhorse SUV that also offers decent comfort and an impressive feature set. |
The 2011 Ford Explorer a formidable shot right at the heart of the crossover market--one that's sure to pull some of the remaining SUV loyalists off their very high horses. |
The 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee is one capable, good-looking crossover—and a welcome sign of life from Chrysler. |
If off-road capability is a top requirement, the brawny 2011 Toyota 4Runner is a good choice—with surprisingly good road manners to boot. |
| MSRP From | |||
| $28,570 | $28,360 | $30,215 | $30,305 |
| Gas Mileage | |||
| 13 MPG City / 22 MPG Hwy | 17 MPG City / 25 MPG Hwy | 16 MPG City / 23 MPG Hwy | 17 MPG City / 23 MPG Hwy |
| Engine | |||
| Gas V6 | Gas V6 | Gas/Ethanol V6 | Gas V6 |
| EPA Class | |||
| 2WD Sport Utility | Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD | 2WD Sport Utility Vehicle | Sport Utility Vehicle |
| Style Name | |||
| 2WD 4-Door V6 S | FWD 4-Door Base | RWD 4-Door Laredo | RWD 4-Door V6 SR5 (GS) |
| Drivetrain | |||
| Rear Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Passenger Capacity | |||
| 7 | 7 | 5 | 5 |
| Passenger Doors | |||
| N/A | N/A | 4 | N/A |
| Body Style | |||
| Sport Utility | 4 Door | Sport Utility Vehicle | 4 Door SR5 |
| Transmission | |||
| Automatic | Automatic w/OD | Automatic | Automatic w/OD |
| Detailed Spec Comparison | |||
| 2011 Nissan Pathfinder vs. 2011 Ford Explorer | 2011 Nissan Pathfinder vs. 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee | 2011 Nissan Pathfinder vs. 2011 Toyota 4Runner | |
