Be wary of any salesperson trying to sell you a 2021 model year Nissan Pathfinder under the claim of unsold new inventory at a dealership. Why? Because Nissan skipped the 2021 model year on the Pathfinder to debut the new generation as a 2022 model SUV. The new-gen Pathfinder debuted alongside the equally new Frontier in spring 2021. This year, Nissan debuted the return of the off-road-focused Rock Creek Edition to the Pathfinder’s lineup.
The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder Rock Creek won the Texas Full-Size SUV of the year from the Texas Motor Press Association. It earned its title by providing an impressive and capable off-road package for the SUV.
Nissan Pathfinder Rock Creek’s Hardware
The Rock Creek Edition is the most significant update to the Nissan Pathfinder for 2023. This optional trim package is high on the Pathfinder’s five available trims: S, SV, SL, Rock Creek, and Platinum. While the Platinum offers all the bells and whistles, the Rock Creek edition adds a bang to its flash with a host of off-road accessories as standard.
Unlike the previous generation Pathfinder Rock Creek, this is not just an appearance package. Instead, it offers functional off-road capabilities to aid the Pathfinder’s all-wheel drive to traverse the road less traveled.
The visual features standard on the Nissan Pathfinder Rock Creek starts with a set of 18-inch Beadlock aluminum-alloy wheels wrapped in all-terrain tires. In addition to a tubular roof rack painted black to match its exclusive black Rock Creek badging and front grille. Underneath, Rock Creek edition equipped Pathfinders feature a different suspension tuned to cope with off-road demands and more power.
While the standard Nissan Pathfinder gets motivated with a 284 horsepower 3.5-liter V6, the Rock Creek gets a power bump to 295 hp and 270 lb.-ft of torque. A nine-speed transmission, with available manual mode, manages the power to its all-wheel drive system with 360 camera view monitoring. An enhanced transmission cooler helps manage the Pathfinder’s 6,000-pound towing capacity. In addition, Rock Creek Pathfinders also gains two additional off-road-focused drive modes for a total of seven compared to the standard five.
The Rock Creek’s interior is also different from the rest of the Pathfinder lineup. It features orange-colored contrast stitching available exclusively for this trim level. This orange stitching is a visual treat for the eyes as it pops in the Pathfinder’s charcoal black leatherette upholstery and gun metallic brushed trim. Moreover, it’s the same orange featured on the Rock Creek emblem stamped on the center console.
While the 2023 Nissan Pathfinder is categorized as a seven-passenger full-size SUV, the Rock Creek Edition upgrades the second-row bench seat in favor of two reclinable captain’s chairs. The front seats also feature two-way lumbar support and heating.
The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder Rock Creek edition starts at $42,820 compared to the entry Pathfinder S, which starts at $35K, and the top-tier Platinum starting at $49K. Moreover, the rugged V6-powered full-size Pathfinder Rock Creek offers a combined 21 mpg, with 20 mpg in the city and 23 mpg highway.
Standard on All Pathfinders
The Rock Creek Edition offers several exclusive performance, interior, and styling accessories. However, many features are standard on all Pathfinders regardless of trim statuses, like 12 cup holders and four bottle holders. In addition to tri-zone climate control, a trailer sway control system, a rear spoiler, and UV-reducing solar glass.
The Urban Off Roader
The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder Rock Creek fulfills a particular niche car buyer. The type of car buyer looking for a family-friendly SUV that can hold a weekend’s worth of escapism from the big city. Not a full-time 4x4 but a split personality AWD that can seamlessly transition from city to rural terrain.
With second-row captain’s chairs, all-terrain tires, and cargo space in the rear and roof, the Pathfinder Rock Creek provides the right look with decent performance to navigate the terrain of both National Parks and the concrete jungle.
