How Much Can a 2026 Nissan Pathfinder Tow, and What Comes Standard to Do It?

A three-row SUV earns its keep on the weekend. Hooking up a boat, a camping trailer or a utility trailer is a big part of why families shop in this class, so towing is often one of the first numbers buyers check.

The 2026 Nissan Pathfinder keeps that answer clear. Both grades in the lineup, Rock Creek and Platinum, are rated to tow up to 6,000 lbs (2,722 kg) when properly equipped. Better still, the hardware that makes that rating usable comes standard. Here is what the Pathfinder brings to the hitch, and how the two grades compare.

2026 Pathfinder Towing at a Glance

The Number: 6,000 lbs on Both Grades

The 2026 Pathfinder carries the same 6,000 lbs (2,722 kg) towing rating on Rock Creek and Platinum. You do not have to choose a specific grade to get the full rating, and you do not have to give up the luxury grade to tow.

Keep in mind that towing capacity varies by configuration. Nissan points owners to its Towing Guide and the owner’s manual for the full details, including how cargo, passengers and trailer weight work together. Always secure your cargo and check the trailer’s loaded weight before you head out.

What Comes Standard to Do It

A towing number only helps if the SUV is ready to use it. The 2026 Pathfinder includes the key pieces from the factory, so you are not shopping for add-ons before your first trip:

• A Class III tow hitch receiver with a trailer wiring harness
• A transmission oil cooler designed for towing
• Trailer Sway Control to help keep the trailer in line
• A rotary drive mode selector with a dedicated Tow mode, plus Auto, Eco, Sport, Sand, Mud and Rut

Standard Intelligent 4x4 and a 9-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters complete the setup. Hill Start Assist and Hill Descent Control are standard on both grades too, which helps on boat launches and steep driveways.

The Power Behind the Hitch

Every 2026 Pathfinder uses a 3.5 L V6 engine paired with the 9-speed automatic transmission. Output depends on the grade.

The Pathfinder Platinum is rated at 284 hp and 259 lb-ft of torque and runs on regular unleaded fuel.

The Pathfinder Rock Creek is rated at 295 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque, with premium unleaded fuel recommended. That extra output pairs with its off-road-tuned suspension, a lifted ride height and 265/60R18 all-terrain tires on unique 18-inch beadlock-design wheels.

Both grades share the same 6,000 lbs (2,722 kg) rating, so the choice between them comes down to how and where you drive.

Choosing the Right Trailer for Your Pathfinder

The Pathfinder’s rating suits the kinds of trailers many families pull. Within the 6,000 lbs (2,722 kg) limit, owners often hook up:

Boat trailers. Fishing boats and runabouts on bumper-pull trailers are a natural match, and Hill Start Assist helps when you pull away on a sloped launch ramp.

Bumper-pull travel trailers. Compact and mid-size camping trailers that attach to the hitch receiver fit the Pathfinder’s job description. Check the trailer’s loaded weight, with all your gear on board.

Utility trailers. Yard projects, moving days and gear for the cottage all fit here.

A full cabin still counts. The Pathfinder seats up to eight across three rows and offers 470 litres of cargo space behind the third row, 1,274 litres behind the second row and 2,279.5 litres behind the first row. Plan your trailer and your passenger load together.

Rock Creek or Platinum for Towing?

Choose the Rock Creek if your trips lead to gravel roads, trailheads or rough campsite entrances. Its 295 hp, all-terrain tires and off-road-tuned suspension give it a rugged edge, and it adds LED fog lamps and a unique roof rack.

Choose the Platinum if long highway hauls are your main use. It brings 20-inch machined alloy wheels, semi-aniline quilted leather seats, climate-controlled front seats, heated second-row seats, a head-up display and rain-sensing wipers, while keeping the full 6,000 lbs (2,722 kg) rating and the same standard towing hardware.

Plan Your Next Tow With Fredericton Nissan

The 2026 Pathfinder gives you 6,000 lbs (2,722 kg) of towing capacity and the standard hardware to use it on both grades. Book a test drive at Fredericton Nissan in Fredericton and bring your trailer questions so our team can help you compare the Rock Creek and Platinum side by side.