The Pathfinder Platinum has a standard front seat center airbag, which deploys between the driver and front passenger, protecting them from injuries caused by striking each other in serious side impacts. The 4Runner doesn't offer front seat center airbags.

For better protection of the passenger compartment, the Pathfinder uses safety cell construction with a three-dimensional high-strength frame that surrounds the passenger compartment. It provides extra impact protection and a sturdy mounting location for door hardware and side impact beams. The 4Runner uses a body-on-frame design, which has no frame members above the floor of the vehicle.

Both the Pathfinder and the 4Runner have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH moderate front offset crash tests on new cars. In this updated test, results indicate that the Pathfinder is much safer than the 4Runner:

The Nissan Pathfinder has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2025 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS' rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The 4Runner is not even a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2025.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Pathfinder third among upper midsize SUVs in their 2025 Initial Quality Study. The 4Runner isn't in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates' 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Nissan vehicles are better in initial quality than Toyota vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Nissan second in initial quality, above the industry average. With 31 more problems per 100 vehicles, Toyota is ranked 17th, below the industry average.

As tested in Car and Driver the Nissan Pathfinder (base engine) is faster than the Toyota 4Runner turbo 4 cyl.:

On the EPA test cycle the Pathfinder gets better mileage than the 4Runner:

Regardless of its engine, the Pathfinder's engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. Toyota only offers an automatic engine start/stop system on the 4Runner Limited/i-FORCE MAX.

The Pathfinder has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it's removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The 4Runner doesn't offer a cap-less fueling system.

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Nissan Pathfinder, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the 4Runner.

For better stopping power the Pathfinder's front brake rotors are larger than those on the 4Runner:

For better traction, the Pathfinder has larger tires than the 4Runner (255/60R18 vs. 245/70R17).

The Pathfinder's standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the 4Runner SR5's standard 70 series tires. The Pathfinder Platinum's tires have a lower 50 series profile than the 4Runner TRD Sport/Limited/Platinum's 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Pathfinder has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the 4Runner SR5.

The Pathfinder has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle's integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The 4Runner doesn't offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

For superior ride and handling, the Nissan Pathfinder has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Toyota 4Runner has a solid rear axle, with a non-independent rear suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Pathfinder's wheelbase is 2 inches longer than on the 4Runner (114.2 inches vs. 112.2 inches).

The Pathfinder SL handles at .80 G's, while the 4Runner Trailhunter pulls only .74 G's of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Pathfinder Platinum executes Motor Trend's “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the 4Runner Trailhunter (28.4 seconds @ .59 average G's vs. 29.1 seconds @ .59 average G's).

For better maneuverability, the Pathfinder's turning circle is 2 feet tighter than the 4Runner's (37.4 feet vs. 39.4 feet).

Unibody construction lowers the Pathfinder's center of gravity significantly without reducing ground clearance. This contributes to better on the road handling and better off-road performance and stability. In addition, unibody construction makes the chassis stiffer, improving handling and reducing squeaks and rattles. The 4Runner doesn't use unibody construction, but a body-on-frame design.

To almost totally eliminate engine vibration in the passenger area, the Pathfinder has an electronically controlled liquid-filled front engine mount. A computer-controlled electric current in the liquid changes its viscosity, allowing the mount to dampen the engine completely at all RPMs. The 4Runner uses conventional solid rubber engine mounts.

The Pathfinder has standard seating for 8 passengers; the 4Runner can only carry up to 7.

The Pathfinder has 12.5 cubic feet more passenger volume than the 4Runner (148.5 vs. 136).

The Pathfinder has 2.6 inches more front headroom, 2.5 inches more front legroom, 3.1 inches more front hip room, 2.8 inches more front shoulder room, 1.8 inches more rear headroom, .7 inches more rear legroom, .2 inches more rear hip room, 1.8 inches more rear shoulder room and 2.5 inches more third row headroom than the 4Runner.

The Pathfinder's cargo area provides more volume than the 4Runner.

The Pathfinder's cargo area is larger than the 4Runner's in almost every dimension:

The Pathfinder has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The 4Runner doesn't offer a remote starting system.

The Pathfinder's standard speed-sensitive wipers speed up when the vehicle does, so that the driver doesn't have to continually adjust the speed of the wipers. The 4Runner's standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the Pathfinder to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The 4Runner doesn't offer rear side window sunshades.

The Pathfinder has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won't have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning is only available on the 4Runner Limited/Platinum/Trailhunter/TRD Pro.

The Nissan Pathfinder has a standard Homelink wireless remote control system for garage door operation and device management, conveniently located on the infotainment. Homelink® eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries. Homelink® is only available on the 4Runner Premium/Limited/Platinum/Trailhunter/TRD Pro.

The Nissan Pathfinder outsold the Toyota 4Runner by 2793 units during 2025.