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

The Nissan Pathfinder weighs 445 to 960 pounds more than the Mitsubishi Outlander. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

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 Outlander:

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the Pathfinder is 2.4% to 4.3% less likely to roll over than the Outlander.

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 Outlander is not even a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2025.

The Pathfinder's corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Outlander's (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

There are over 3 times as many Nissan dealers as there are Mitsubishi dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Pathfinder's warranty.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Pathfinder has a standard 150-amp alternator. The Outlander's 120-amp alternator isn't as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Pathfinder third among upper midsize SUVs in their 2025 Initial Quality Study. The Outlander 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 Mitsubishi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Nissan second in initial quality, above the industry average. With 53 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mitsubishi is ranked 25th, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates' 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Nissan vehicles are more reliable than Mitsubishi With 41 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Nissan higher than Mitsubishi.

The Pathfinder's standard 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 103 more horsepower (284 vs. 181) and 78 lbs.-ft. more torque (259 vs. 181) than the Outlander's 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Pathfinder Rock Creek's standard 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 114 more horsepower (295 vs. 181) and 89 lbs.-ft. more torque (270 vs. 181) than the Outlander's 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Nissan Pathfinder (base engine) is faster than the Mitsubishi Outlander:

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Pathfinder's engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Outlander doesn't offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The Pathfinder has 4 gallons more fuel capacity than the Outlander (18.5 vs. 14.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

For better traction, the Pathfinder has larger tires than the Outlander (255/60R18 vs. 235/60R18).

The Pathfinder has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn't available on the Outlander; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

The Pathfinder has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Outlander doesn't offer variable-assist power steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Pathfinder's wheelbase is 7.7 inches longer than on the Outlander (114.2 inches vs. 106.5 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Pathfinder is 4.1 inches wider in the front and 3.7 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Outlander.

The Pathfinder has standard seating for 8 passengers; the Outlander can only carry 7.

The Pathfinder has 23 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Outlander (148.5 vs. 125.5).

The Pathfinder has 1.7 inches more front headroom, 2.6 inches more front legroom, 4.3 inches more front hip room, 2.9 inches more front shoulder room, .5 inches more rear headroom, 3 inches more rear hip room, 3.7 inches more rear shoulder room, 3.3 inches more third row headroom, 9.3 inches more third row legroom, 4.6 inches more third row hip room and 7.2 inches more third row shoulder room than the Outlander.

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

The Pathfinder has a standard third row seat which folds flat into the floor. This completely clears a very large cargo area quickly. The Outlander doesn't offer seats that fold into the floor.

A standard locking glovebox (which can't be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Pathfinder. The Outlander doesn't offer locking storage for small valuables.

The Pathfinder's standard towing capacity is much higher than the Outlander's (3500 vs. 2000 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Mitsubishi Outlander is only 2000 pounds. The Pathfinder offers up to a 6000 lbs. towing capacity.

The power windows standard on both the Pathfinder and the Outlander have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Pathfinder is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The Outlander prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The Pathfinder's front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Outlander's standard passenger windows don't open or close automatically.

On a hot day the Pathfinder's driver can lower all the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Outlander can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Pathfinder's standard Intelligent Key allows you to unlock the doors from either front door handle, open the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Pushbutton Start standard on the Outlander only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the vehicle. Pushbutton Start is not available on the Outlander SE/SEL/Platinum.

The Pathfinder's power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Outlander's power window, power lock and power mirror switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The Pathfinder's standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Mitsubishi only offers heated mirrors on the Outlander SE/SEL/Platinum.

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 Outlander SE/SEL/Platinum.

The Pathfinder Platinum has a 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Outlander doesn't offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The Nissan Pathfinder outsold the Mitsubishi Outlander by over two to one during 2025.