2013 Nissan Pathfinder MPG and Fuel Cost

The 2013 Nissan Pathfinder is rated 21 to 22 mpg combined across 2 EPA-tested gas versions; the best is the 3.5L 6-cyl · FWD · CVT.

EPA fuel economy

2013 Nissan Pathfinder · 2 EPA-tested versions

Best EPA rating

22MPG combined

20 city 25 highway

$3,050 a year to fuel

Fuel economy score5/10

3.5L 6-cyl · FWD · CVT

Best version costs $3,250 more in fuel over 5 years vs the average new vehicle (EPA)

Fuel cost: 15,000 miles a year at EPA's $4.47 a gallon (regular gas).

Data: US EPA, fueleconomy.govUpdated Sep 30, 2026

At EPA's price assumptions, fuel costs $3,050 to $3,200 a year. Compared with 2012, the best gas version is up 5 mpg.

One of the Pathfinder years to avoid

The 2013 drew 428 owner complaints in its first three years, against 37 for a typical Pathfinder year: 11.5 times as many.

Years to avoid: 2013 to 2015, 2022, and 2023. Based on owner complaints, not adjusted for sales.

Every Pathfinder year ranked The 2013 Pathfinder's recalls and problems

Every 2013 Pathfinder version

EPA's ratings for each version it tested. Fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current prices.

Version	Combined	City / Hwy	Fuel / year
3.5L 6-cyl · FWD · CVT Best EPA listing: Pathfinder 2WD	22 mpg	20 / 25	$3,050
3.5L 6-cyl · 4WD · CVT EPA listing: Pathfinder 4WD	21 mpg	19 / 25	$3,200

Fuel cost at your prices

EPA's annual cost uses 15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving and its current prices: $4.47 a gallon for regular gas. Change the numbers to match your driving.

Version	Per year	Per month	5 years
3.5L 6-cyl · FWD · CVT	$3,048	$254	$15,239
3.5L 6-cyl · 4WD · CVT	$3,193	$266	$15,964

At the default settings the results match EPA's annual cost before EPA rounds it to the nearest $50.

Nissan Pathfinder MPG by model year

The best-rated version in each model year; the highlighted year is this page. Gas: 17 to 23 mpg (2010 to 2020, 2022 to 2026); 23 since 2015. Hybrid: 26 mpg (2014 to 2015).

Best gas version
Best hybrid version

2013: gas 22 mpg · hybrid not offered

Show as a table

Nissan Pathfinder best combined mpg by model year
Model year	Best gas version	Best hybrid version
2010	18	–
2011	17	–
2012	17	–
2013	22	–
2014	22	26
2015	23	26
2016	23	–
2017	23	–
2018	23	–
2019	23	–
2020	23	–
2021	–	–
2022	23	–
2023	23	–
2024	23	–
2025	23	–
2026	23	–

Every Pathfinder year's ratings in one table

How the 2013 Pathfinder compares

2013 midsize SUVs covered on this site, ranked by their best combined rating. Fuel cost is for each model's cheapest version to run, at EPA's prices.

2013 model	Best combined	Best gas	Fuel / year
Lexus RX Best: hybrid	29 mpg	21 mpg	$2,850
Toyota Highlander Best: hybrid	28 mpg	22 mpg	$2,400
Hyundai Santa Fe Best: gas	24 mpg	24 mpg	$2,800
Kia Sorento Best: gas	24 mpg	24 mpg	$2,800
Ford Edge Best: gas	24 mpg	24 mpg	$2,800
Ford Explorer Best: gas	23 mpg	23 mpg	$2,900
Nissan Pathfinder This page Best: gas	22 mpg	22 mpg	$3,050
Honda Pilot Best: gas	20 mpg	20 mpg	$3,350
Nissan Murano Best: gas	20 mpg	20 mpg	$3,350
Jeep Grand Cherokee Best: gas	19 mpg	19 mpg	$3,550
Chevrolet Traverse Best: gas	19 mpg	19 mpg	$3,550
Dodge Durango Best: gas	19 mpg	19 mpg	$3,550
Mazda CX-9 Best: gas	19 mpg	19 mpg	$3,550
GMC Acadia Best: gas	19 mpg	19 mpg	$3,550
Buick Enclave Best: gas	19 mpg	19 mpg	$3,550

2013 Pathfinder recalls and complaints

NHTSA lists 11 safety recalls and 890 owner complaints for the 2013 Pathfinder.

Owners most often describe shaking or vibration (215 complaints, 24%), then transmission failure (105). NHTSA's overall crash rating: 4 stars.

See the 2013 Pathfinder recalls and problems

Questions

Does 4WD lower the 2013 Nissan Pathfinder's gas mileage?

Yes. On versions that differ only in drive, 4WD lowers the combined rating by 1 mpg: the 3.5L 6-cyl gets 22 mpg combined with front-wheel drive and 21 with 4WD.

Does the 2013 Nissan Pathfinder need premium gas?

No. EPA lists every 2013 Nissan Pathfinder version on regular gasoline.

How does the 2013 Pathfinder's MPG compare with the 2012?

For 2013, the best gas version is rated 22 mpg, up 5 from 17.

Sources and method

US EPA and Department of Energy fuel economy data (fueleconomy.gov), file dated Sep 29, 2026.
EPA fuel price assumptions: regular $4.47, midgrade $5.07, premium $5.48, diesel $6.38 a gallon; electricity $0.15 per kWh.
Recall and complaint counts: NHTSA recall file dated Oct 2, 2026 and complaint file dated Oct 2, 2026.

Ratings are EPA estimates. Real-world mileage depends on how, where and in what weather you drive. How we build these pages. Spotted an error? Tell us.