1997
Nissan Pathfinder

Starts at:
$22,899
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New 1997 Nissan Pathfinder
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Not rated
Safety rating
NHTSA tested vehicle score
Consumer rating
Owner reviewed vehicle score
Not rated
Safety rating
NHTSA tested vehicle score
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Available trims

See the differences side-by-side to compare trims.
  • 4dr XE Manual
    Starts at
    $22,899
    17 City / 20 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas V6
    Engine
    Rear Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 4dr XE Auto
    Starts at
    $23,899
    16 City / 20 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas V6
    Engine
    Rear Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 4dr XE Manual 4WD
    Starts at
    $24,899
    16 City / 18 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas V6
    Engine
    Four Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 4dr XE Auto 4WD
    Starts at
    $25,899
    15 City / 19 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas V6
    Engine
    Four Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 4dr LE Auto
    Starts at
    $29,899
    16 City / 20 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas V6
    Engine
    Rear Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 4dr LE Auto
    Starts at
    $30,449
    16 City / 20 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas V6
    Engine
    Four Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 4dr LE Auto 4WD
    Starts at
    $32,299
    15 City / 19 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas V6
    Engine
    Four Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 4dr LE Auto 4WD
    Starts at
    $32,849
    15 City / 19 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas V6
    Engine
    Four Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs

The good & the bad

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Factory warranties

New car program benefits

Basic
3 years / 36,000 miles
Corrosion
5 years
Powertrain
5 years / 60,000 miles

Certified Pre-Owned program benefits

Age / mileage
6 years / less than 80,000 miles
Basic
N / A
Dealer certification
167-point inspection
See all CPO program details

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Consumer reviews

100% of drivers recommend this car
4.6 / 5
Based on 16 reviews
Write a review
Comfort 4.7
Interior 4.7
Performance 4.5
Value 4.7
Exterior 4.5
Reliability 4.9

Most recent

  • By Nostalgia97 from Albuquerque
    Owns this car
    July 9, 2020

    Most reliable car ever

    I have 231k miles on mine and it starts right up everytime, they drive nice and are decently comfortable while driving. I have never had major problems with mine just minor cosmetics and routinely oil changes
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 3.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 3.0
    Value 4.0
    Exterior 3.0
    Reliability 5.0
    5 people out of 6 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By Rubytwoshoes from San Antonio, TX
    Owns this car
    July 16, 2018

    Rugged yet clean, smooth ride

    I love this car and very sad to see it go but not what my family needs right now. Priced right to move it fast.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    3 people out of 3 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By Jeff Pathfinder from Orlando, Fl
    Owns this car
    May 14, 2018

    Best, most fun to drive and most useful car ever

    It was built to last a very long time and always be fun and capable. It has power! Even after twenty plus fun and useful years.
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    4 people out of 4 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By Pathfinder Jeff from Orlando, Fl
    Owns this car
    May 4, 2018

    Unbelievably cool, strong, vehicle

    I changed the oil to Mobil 1 synthetic @ mileage 9mi. and it has only had that oil for every oil change(have all receipts) It has made a big difference at 139,000 mi. it runs better than my 2005 Prius. With the new timing, hoses, brakes etc., etc., its definitely going another 139,000 and beyond. I love it. Just cant afford to keep 2 vehicles.
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    2 people out of 2 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By JimH
    Owns this car
    February 17, 2018

    Awesome SUV

    Bought this auto new in 1997. Replaced tires and an alternator in 20 years. I would say that is pretty reliable. 325,000 K?s and been all over North America and still has another 75,000 left...at least. Great for road trips.
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Transporting family
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    3 people out of 3 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By 97GoldPathfinder from Topeka, Kansas
    Owns this car
    October 20, 2017

    A car I won't soon forget

    I research the most reliable car I could find for my small budget and came across the Nissan Pathfinder. Never owned a foreign car before. Was hesitant it has turned out to be the best decision I ever made. The car never gave me problems. Only reason I sold it was because my family has grown and we don't fit. I had planned to keep it for another 10 years and it could do it easily. Great vehicle. They don't make reliable vehicles like this anymore.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Transporting family
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    2 people out of 2 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By Felicidade from New York
    Owns this car
    July 29, 2017

    The longest time

    I love the features in particular the cargo area, as you fold back seats you have a ton of storage, comfortable, strong, I have it for 12 years.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Transporting family
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 5.0
    2 people out of 2 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By Felicidade from New York
    Owns this car
    June 24, 2017

    I have a great car

    I have this car for 10 years, my issues were, for some reason the bateri never lasts more than 2 years; and the engine service is a big problem, TURNS ON for no reason. I love cargo area, and enjoyed our time together.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 4.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 4.0
    3 people out of 3 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By lovetodrive from Chicago, IL
    Owns this car
    June 12, 2017

    Most reliable car I have owned

    This has been a solid dependable car. This has never failed me. It's high quality doors, engine are exceptional. When it is on, you cannot hear any noise. I have to rev the gas pedal to confirm that it is on. I have taken this to east coast and back many times.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    2 people out of 2 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By Matthew85
    Owns this car
    February 24, 2017

    Perfect SUV for me

    Bought my 4x4 5 speed SE 2 years ago with 173k, and i drive it three miles at a time through traffic to school/work and back. I only get 15 miles to the gallon, but it starts instantly every time even below zero and everything on it (except the fog lights) works good as new. If i had any complaints it would be it's a bit slow and underpowered for a 4000lb SUV, but the newer years are better. I grew up driving and wrenching on Jeep and GM vehicles, even bought several new. This pathfinder has been far less problematic over the last 20k than anything i've ever owned and has more miles than almost every one. Simply put if i had one of those other SUV's this old and this many miles I'd be waiting for it to break down and looking for a different vehicle. however with my pathfinder I'm 100% confident that i'm good for at least another 50k with some tires, brakes, and a battery. It's unquestionably the best car I've ever owned and the reason why I just bought another Nissan.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    3 people out of 3 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By Kerwin Maude from British Columbia
    Owns this car
    April 11, 2014

    Indestructible Manual 4x4 with Grittiness

    I bought my first foreign vehicle and had it for over 10 years, the Nissan Pathfinder was indestructible and had far superior quality engine and transmission for a manual than the domestic market. I used this suv for hunting, fishing, camping and hauling chopped wood and kept it the longest in all my purchased vehicles. Never once had any concerns or costly repairs and when we traded it in for a Ford Escape the only motivator for selling it was the Nissan was a glutton on gas consumption. It was light but built like a tank and did its job without any concerns or repairs unlike the Jeep Patriot which was poorly crafted with cheap material and substandard transmission.....
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Off-roading
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 3.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By jb from Granite Falls, NC
    Owns this car
    November 11, 2013

    Unstoppable

    My pathfinder have more than 290,000 miles and rides like new, even better than some new cars. Just had to rebuilt the transmission and standard maintenance. Unbelievable!
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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FAQ

What trim levels are available for the 1997 Nissan Pathfinder?

The 1997 Nissan Pathfinder is available in 2 trim levels:

  • LE (4 styles)
  • XE (4 styles)

What is the MPG of the 1997 Nissan Pathfinder?

The 1997 Nissan Pathfinder offers up to 17 MPG in city driving and 20 MPG on the highway. These figures are based on EPA mileage ratings and are for comparison purposes only. The actual mileage will vary depending on vehicle options, trim level, driving conditions, driving habits, vehicle maintenance, and other factors.

What are some similar vehicles and competitors of the 1997 Nissan Pathfinder?

The 1997 Nissan Pathfinder compares to and/or competes against the following vehicles:

Is the 1997 Nissan Pathfinder reliable?

The 1997 Nissan Pathfinder has an average reliability rating of 4.9 out of 5 according to cars.com consumers. Find real-world reliability insights within consumer reviews from 1997 Nissan Pathfinder owners.

Is the 1997 Nissan Pathfinder a good SUV?

Below are the cars.com consumers ratings for the 1997 Nissan Pathfinder. 100.0% of drivers recommend this vehicle.

4.6 / 5
Based on 16 reviews
  • Comfort: 4.7
  • Interior: 4.7
  • Performance: 4.5
  • Value: 4.7
  • Exterior: 4.5
  • Reliability: 4.9

Nissan Pathfinder history

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