Model comparison
Kia Sorento vs Nissan Pathfinder
Depreciation, used prices, ownership costs and model-year data compared
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Nissan Pathfinder Depreciation & Resale Value
Buying a 2018 model instead of new saves roughly $21,430 off the original sticker.
The Nissan Pathfinder is a three-row midsize crossover built for family hauling rather than serious off-road use in this generation.
Market context: Five published cohort years end with 2020 because there was no U.S. 2021 model.
Compare With
Compare the Nissan Pathfinder with its closest rivals
Open a side-by-side comparison of five-year value retention, depreciation by model year, used asking prices, repair costs, MPG and safety data.
At a glance
Key takeaways
Biggest drop
2019→2018
+7.5% in one year
Smart-buy year
2018
~$12,300 median
Depreciation by Model Year
| Model year | Depreciation from MSRP |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 53.8% |
| 2019 | 58.9% |
| 2018 | 66.4% |
| 2017 | 69.7% |
| 2016 | 74.0% |
| 2015 | 77.5% |
Based on 1,129 real used-car listings. Each listing's price is adjusted to a standard 12,000 mi/year for its age and compared to the vehicle's original MSRP; figures reflect a 5% asking-to-sale estimate.
Resale Value by Age
Estimated value of a typical Nissan Pathfinder as it ages, from a ~$34,770 new price.
| Age | Retained | Est. value | Lost that year | Total lost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 yr | 85% | $29,518 | −$5,252 | −$5,252 |
| 2 yrs | 75% | $25,920 | −$3,598 | −$8,850 |
| 3 yrs | 66% | $22,761 | −$3,159 | −$12,009 |
| 4 yrs | 58% | $19,987 | −$2,774 | −$14,783 |
| 5 yrs | 51% | $17,551 | −$2,436 | −$17,219 |
| 6 yrs | 44% | $15,412 | −$2,139 | −$19,358 |
| 7 yrs | 39% | $13,533 | −$1,879 | −$21,237 |
| 8 yrs | 34% | $11,884 | −$1,649 | −$22,886 |
Interactive tool
What's your Pathfinder worth?
Estimate a used Pathfinder's value from its year and mileage, using our depreciation model.
Estimated value
$11,900
about typical mileage
At 96,000 miles (about typical for a 8-year-old car, ~96,000 mi). Estimate only — actual value depends on condition, trim, options, and local demand.
Should You Buy a Used Nissan Pathfinder?
For used buyers, the Nissan Pathfinder is an average bet for resale. The smartest pick is a 2018 (around $12,300) — it sits just past the steepest depreciation, so the first owner already absorbed the biggest loss. Favor the S trim for the best resale, and always pull a vehicle-history report before buying.
Pros
- Proven longevity — examples regularly list past 150,000 miles and still sell for around $8,496.
- The S trim holds its value best if resale matters to you.
Watch-outs
- The steepest single-year drop hits between 2019 and 2018 — buying brand-new costs you that loss.
What Affects Nissan Pathfinder Resale Value
Value falls fastest from the 2019 to the 2018 model year — a 7.5%-point jump in a single year. That makes the 2018 Pathfinder a value sweet spot — the previous owner absorbs the worst of the drop, and you still get a relatively recent car.
Not all trims age alike — the S retains the most value (~63.4% depreciation) and the Platinum the least (~70.0%), a gap worth thousands when you resell.
Which Nissan Pathfinder Trims Hold Value Best
Share of original MSRP retained, averaged across model years.
S
36.6% kept· 345 listings
SL
33.8% kept· 313 listings
SV
33.4% kept· 289 listings
Platinum
30% kept· 182 listings
How Long Does the Nissan Pathfinder Last?
Mileage profile across 1,129 listings.
Over 100k mi
56.5%
Over 150k mi
10%
Highest mileage
244,456 mi
Price at 120k+ mi
$8,496
Roughly 56.5% of listed Nissan Pathfinders have already crossed 100,000 miles, and 10% are past 150,000 — a sign these go the distance with maintenance.
Smartest Year to Buy
The 2018 Nissan Pathfinder sits just past the steepest depreciation drop, with a typical asking price around $12,300 — about $21,430 off its original MSRP.
View 2018 details →Price & Depreciation by Year
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best year to buy a used Nissan Pathfinder?
The 2018 Pathfinder is the value sweet spot: it sits just past the model's steepest one-year depreciation drop, so the first owner has already absorbed the biggest loss. Expect to pay around $12,300 for a typical example, and the S trim will hold its value best from there. As always, a well-maintained, accident-free example with average mileage for its age is worth paying a little more for than a cheap car with a questionable history. Whatever year you settle on, budget for a pre-purchase inspection — at a couple hundred dollars, it's the cheapest insurance against an expensive surprise down the road.
Which Nissan Pathfinder trim holds its value best?
The S retains the most value, depreciating about 63.4% on average across model years in our data. Trim choice can swing resale by thousands of dollars over a few years, because desirable trims stay in demand on the used market while stripped-down or niche trims sell at a discount. It's also worth comparing the trim premium new versus used — a pricier trim sometimes depreciates enough to become the smarter used buy. If you expect to resell, the S is the safer bet; if you're keeping the car long-term, buy the trim with the features you actually want and worry less about resale.
Methodology
Depreciation is computed from 1,129 real used-car listings. Each listing's asking price is normalized to a standard 12,000 miles per year for the vehicle's age, adjusted by a 5% asking-to-sale estimate, and compared against the original base MSRP for that VIN's trim. Headline 1/3/5-year figures reflect a smoothed retention curve fitted across all model years (the typical trajectory); individual years in the table above can run above or below it with market conditions. Full methodology. Updated August 2026.