Nissan Pathfinder vs Isuzu MU-X
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular SUVs compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Nissan Pathfinder
Price TBC
SUV
Petrol
3.5L DOHC 24-valve V6 petrol (VQ35DD)
202kW
10.1 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
453L
Isuzu MU-X
From $43,900
SUV
Diesel
Diesel
120kW
6.4 L/100km
5★ ANCAP
311L
Nissan Pathfinder: we're still completing price, kerb weight, 0-100km/h, warranty and turning circle.
A blank cell below means we don't have that figure, not that the car scores badly on it. We leave them empty rather than estimate, so any row where one car is blank isn't a like-for-like comparison yet.
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Price Breakdown
Pricing for one or both models is yet to be confirmed for the Australian market. We will update this comparison when official RRPs are announced.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Feature Showdown
The Nissan Pathfinder features a 8-inch touchscreen, while the Isuzu MU-X gets a 8-inch display and 4.2-inch instruments.
The Nissan Pathfinder stands out with panoramic roof, heated front seats, ventilated seats, power tailgate and Bose audio — features our data doesn't list for the Isuzu MU-X. The Isuzu MU-X counters with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Nissan Pathfinder gets leather accented upholstery while the Isuzu MU-X offers cloth. Climate control is 3-zone in the Nissan Pathfinder and 2-zone in the Isuzu MU-X.
Drivetrain
The Nissan Pathfinder uses a 3.5L DOHC 24-valve V6 petrol (VQ35DD) producing 202kW and 340Nm of torque, sent through a xtronic cvt to a 4WD layout.
The Isuzu MU-X responds with a Diesel making 120kW and 400Nm, paired to a automatic driving the rear wheels.
The Nissan Pathfinder has the clear power advantage at 202kW vs 120kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Nissan Pathfinder measures 5,042mm long on a 2,900mm wheelbase, 182mm longer than the Isuzu MU-X at 4,860mm (2,855mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Nissan Pathfinder generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 453L in the Nissan Pathfinder and 311L in the Isuzu MU-X, giving the Nissan Pathfinder a 142L advantage. Fold the rears and you get 2260L vs 2138L.
For towing, the Isuzu MU-X leads with a 3,500kg braked capacity vs 2,700kg. That 800kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.6m diameter
Average
Based on 11.6m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Interactive simulator: U-turns, parking & towing
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns are easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
Average
Needs a 3-point turn (one reverse)
Needs about 10.1 m to swing round without stopping. Road is 9.0 m.
U-turn on a wide street
≥ 10 m: 3-point turn
U-turn on a standard street
7 m: 3-point turn
Standard parking bay
1.9 m wide: fits with room
Tight carpark aisle
6 m: careful, tight swing
Narrow laneway
3.5 m: no room to turn
Turning circle ratings
Standard widths: AU local streets carry ~5.5–7 m of carriageway; main roads ~9–12 m. AS 2890.1 carpark aisles are ~5.8–6.6 m for 90° bays (2.6 m wide × 5.4 m deep).
Road, aisle, swing and off-tracking figures are indicative estimates from the published turning circle. Verify in person before relying on them.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $2,879/year for the Nissan Pathfinder and $1,824/year for the Isuzu MU-X. That is a $1,055 annual difference in favour of the Isuzu MU-X.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Nissan Pathfinder if: You prioritise performance, need more boot space, or prefer Nissan's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Isuzu MU-X if: You want lower running costs, need stronger towing, or prefer Isuzu's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
This is genuinely close. The Nissan Pathfinder and Isuzu MU-X trade blows across the spec sheet, and neither runs away with an outright win. The Isuzu MU-X will save you roughly $1,055 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Nissan Pathfinder has a clear edge. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Nissan Pathfinder and Isuzu MU-X?
The Isuzu MU-X is the cheapest at $43,900 before on-road costs.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Isuzu MU-X uses the least fuel at 6.4L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
Isuzu MU-X holds a 5-star ANCAP rating. We have no published ANCAP rating for Nissan Pathfinder, so there is nothing to compare on crash performance. Compare the active-safety features above instead.
Which has the most boot space?
The Nissan Pathfinder has the largest boot at 453L.
Which can tow the most?
The Isuzu MU-X has the highest braked towing capacity at 3,500kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Nissan Pathfinder makes the most power at 202kW.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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