2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport vs 2025 Nissan Pathfinder

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport was designed to project a sportier image within the Range Rover family. Its tall stance was complemented by a shorter wheelbase and a chopped top, giving it an athletic appearance. Large front air intakes and fake vents on the hood and fenders added to its sporty look, although from some angles, it appeared a bit too tall and narrow. The lineup included SE, Dynamic SE, Autobiography, and SV Edition Two trims, with the Dynamic SE offering a Stealth appearance package. Our test car, the SV Edition 2, featured 23-inch carbon-fiber wheels and a carbon-fiber hood, presenting a subtle exterior in Marl Grey. Inside, the SV Edition 2 boasted red leather upholstery, sport seats with illuminated inserts, and a minimalist dashboard design. However, the high console and dash created a cockpit-like feel that could feel cramped, and the use of piano black plastic was prone to smudging.

The 2025 Nissan Pathfinder, tested in Rock Creek trim, was equipped for adventure with 3-Peak Mud-and-Snow-rated tires and standard all-wheel drive. Its rugged appearance was enhanced by beadlock-style wheels and a V-Motion grille with contrasting trim. The Rock Creek trim also featured a metal roof rack and an exposed trailer hitch, emphasizing its towing capabilities. Despite its adventurous look, the Pathfinder was a unibody crossover, lacking additional ground clearance and protective skid plates. Inside, the Rock Creek trim offered leatherette-and-cloth upholstery with bright orange logos, while higher trims featured leather and quilted semi-aniline leather. The Pathfinder's interior was comfortable, with a focus on practicality, although it lacked some cutting-edge technology.

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport offered a range of powertrain options, all paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive. The base SE model featured a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six engine producing 355 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. The Dynamic SE offered a higher output of 395 hp and 406 lb-ft, along with a plug-in hybrid powertrain rated at 454 hp and 487 lb-ft. The Autobiography trim could be equipped with a plug-in hybrid producing 543 hp and 590 lb-ft or a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 with 523 hp and 553 lb-ft. The SV Edition Two, the most powerful model, used the same V8 engine but with 626 hp, achieving 0-60 mph in 3.7 seconds and a top speed of 180 mph. The Range Rover Sport excelled in both on-road performance and off-road capability, with features like sport-tuned air suspension, four-wheel steering, and Terrain Response system.

The 2025 Nissan Pathfinder was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 284 horsepower and 259 pound-feet of torque in most trims, while the Rock Creek trim offered 295 hp and 270 lb-ft. A nine-speed automatic transmission replaced the previous CVT, providing smooth shifts. The Pathfinder's towing capacity reached 6,000 pounds with the Platinum and Rock Creek trims, thanks to a transmission oil cooler. The Pathfinder's ride was soft, suitable for light off-roading but less composed on twisty roads. Fuel economy for the Rock Creek trim was 20 mpg city, 23 highway, and 21 combined. The Pathfinder featured seven drive modes, including Snow mode, which proved effective in snowy conditions.

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport, positioned between the Velar and full-size Range Rover, offered a two-row, five-seater configuration. Front-seat occupants enjoyed similar headroom to other midsize luxury SUVs, while rear-seat headroom was only slightly impacted by the sloping roof. The Range Rover Sport provided 31.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row and 53 cubic feet with the seats folded. It had a maximum towing capacity of 7,716 pounds for turbo-six and V8 models. The interior featured deep door pockets and large cupholders, while power operation and an "access height" setting made loading cargo easier.

The 2025 Nissan Pathfinder, although smaller than some competitors, offered ample interior space. During a ski trip with four adults, it comfortably accommodated passengers and gear. The Pathfinder provided 16.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 45 cubic feet with the third row folded and 80.5 cubic feet with both rows down. The Rock Creek trim featured captain's chairs and a removable center console in the second row. The Pathfinder's EZ Flex Seating System allowed easy access to the third row without removing car seats. Three-zone climate control and comfortable seats added to the overall comfort.

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport featured a 13.7-inch digital instrument cluster and a 13.1-inch touchscreen for infotainment, with wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integration. The minimalist design, while visually appealing, had functional drawbacks, as many controls were relegated to the touchscreen. The Pivi Pro infotainment system was responsive, and the gauge cluster offered various configurations. The SV Edition 2 test car included "Body and Soul Seats" with embedded transducers, providing a unique, albeit somewhat gimmicky, experience.

The 2025 Nissan Pathfinder's technology lagged behind some competitors and even other Nissan models. It featured an older interface with an 8-inch screen in lower trims and a 9-inch screen in SL and Platinum trims. The Pathfinder offered physical buttons and rotary knobs for user-friendly operation. A 6-speaker stereo was standard, with a 13-speaker Bose system available on higher trims. NissanConnect supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but wireless projection was limited to Apple devices on the 9-inch screen. The Pathfinder's tech package included voice recognition, Bluetooth, and SiriusXM satellite radio, with navigation standard only on SL and Platinum trims.

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport came equipped with standard driver-assist features, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, traffic sign recognition, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a driver attention monitor. A 360-degree camera system and digital rearview mirror aided parking, although the parking sensors were overly sensitive. At the time of publication, safety ratings from IIHS and NHTSA were not available.

The 2025 Nissan Pathfinder received a Top Safety Pick+ award from IIHS and a five-star overall rating from NHTSA. It featured a comprehensive suite of advanced driver assistance systems, including blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, and rear automatic braking. Adaptive cruise control and ProPilot Assist were standard on all but the base S trim, while traffic sign recognition was included on SL and Platinum trims.