2018 Nissan Pathfinder MPG and Fuel Cost

The 2018 Nissan Pathfinder is rated 21 to 23 mpg combined across 3 EPA-tested gas versions; the best is the 3.5L 6-cyl · FWD · CVT.

EPA fuel economy

2018 Nissan Pathfinder · 3 EPA-tested versions

Best EPA rating

23MPG combined

20 city 27 highway

$2,700 a year to fuel

Fuel economy score5/10

3.5L 6-cyl · FWD · CVT

Best version costs $2,500 more in fuel over 5 years vs the average new vehicle (EPA)

Fuel cost: 15,000 miles a year at EPA's $4.00 a gallon (regular gas).

Data: US EPA, fueleconomy.govUpdated Nov 12, 2026

At EPA's price assumptions, fuel costs $2,700 to $2,950 a year. Ratings for the best versions are unchanged from 2017.

About a typical Pathfinder year

The 2018 drew 37 owner complaints in its first three years, against 37 for a typical Pathfinder year.

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

Every Pathfinder year ranked The 2018 Pathfinder's recalls and problems

Every 2018 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	23 mpg	20 / 27	$2,700
3.5L 6-cyl · 4WD · CVT EPA listing: Pathfinder 4WD	22 mpg	19 / 26	$2,850
3.5L 6-cyl · 4WD · CVT · Platinum EPA listing: Pathfinder 4WD Platinum	21 mpg	19 / 26	$2,950

Fuel cost at your prices

EPA's annual cost uses 15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving and its current prices: $4.00 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	$2,609	$217	$13,043
3.5L 6-cyl · 4WD · CVT	$2,727	$227	$13,636
3.5L 6-cyl · 4WD · CVT · Platinum	$2,857	$238	$14,286

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

2018: gas 23 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 2018 Pathfinder compares

2018 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.

2018 model	Best combined	Best gas	Fuel / year
Lexus RX Best: hybrid	30 mpg	23 mpg	$2,600
Toyota Highlander Best: hybrid	29 mpg	23 mpg	$2,150
Jeep Grand Cherokee Best: diesel	25 mpg	21 mpg	$2,950
Hyundai Santa Fe Best: gas	24 mpg	24 mpg	$2,600
Kia Sorento Best: gas	24 mpg	24 mpg	$2,600
Ford Edge Best: gas	24 mpg	24 mpg	$2,600
Mazda CX-9 Best: gas	24 mpg	24 mpg	$2,600
Nissan Murano Best: gas	24 mpg	24 mpg	$2,600
Volkswagen Atlas Best: gas	24 mpg	24 mpg	$2,600
Honda Pilot Best: gas	23 mpg	23 mpg	$2,700
Nissan Pathfinder This page Best: gas	23 mpg	23 mpg	$2,700
GMC Acadia Best: gas	23 mpg	23 mpg	$2,700
Ford Explorer Best: gas	22 mpg	22 mpg	$2,850
Chevrolet Traverse Best: gas	22 mpg	22 mpg	$2,950
Dodge Durango Best: gas	21 mpg	21 mpg	$2,950
Buick Enclave Best: gas	21 mpg	21 mpg	$2,950

2018 Pathfinder recalls and complaints

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 78 owner complaints for the 2018 Pathfinder.

Owners most often describe driver-assist errors (6 complaints, 8%), then the check engine light (5). NHTSA's overall crash rating: 5 stars.

See the 2018 Pathfinder recalls and problems

Questions

Does 4WD lower the 2018 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 23 mpg combined with front-wheel drive and 22 with 4WD.

Does the 2018 Nissan Pathfinder need premium gas?

No. EPA lists every 2018 Nissan Pathfinder version on regular gasoline.

How does the 2018 Pathfinder's MPG compare with the 2017?

For 2018, the best gas version is rated 23 mpg, the same as the year before.

Sources and method

US EPA and Department of Energy fuel economy data (fueleconomy.gov), file dated Nov 4, 2026.
EPA fuel price assumptions: regular $4.00, midgrade $4.61, premium $5.01, diesel $6.13 a gallon; electricity $0.15 per kWh.
Recall and complaint counts: NHTSA recall file dated Nov 12, 2026 and complaint file dated Nov 11, 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.