2026 Nissan Pathfinder · Trim vs trim
2026 Nissan Pathfinder SL vs Rock Creek: what's the difference?
The Rock Creek costs $2,500 more. Manufacturer checked October 17, 2026, excluding $1,575 , taxes and fees. It starts at $45,090 with the 295-hp , and the SL at $42,590 with the 3.5L V6. The Rock Creek adds and an . It comes without a , but you can add it with Rock Creek Premium — bench for $2,000. In all, 8 parts differ, listed below. It gets 21 , 2 less than the SL's 23. It makes 295 , 11 more than the SL's 284.
Our Pathfinder data has all four current US 2026 , all seven trim/drive combinations, both bench and captain’s-chair variants, Platinum captain’s chairs and factory splash guards. It doesn't have paint/interior colors, port/dealer , exact option-adjusted weights, order-bank status and vehicle-specific towing approval yet, so something missing from this page may still be offered.
What changes, as they come
| What | SL | Rock Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | SL284 hp | Rock Creek295 hp |
| Combined mpg | SL23 mpg | Rock Creek21 mpg |
| City mpg | SL21 mpg | Rock Creek20 mpg |
| Highway mpg | SL27 mpg | Rock Creek23 mpg |
| Tire diameter | SL30.0″ | Rock Creek30.5″ |
| Ground clearance | SL7.1″ | Rock Creek7.7″ |
| Approach angle | SL15.6° | Rock Creek18.8° |
| Breakover angle | SL15.6° | Rock Creek19.3° |
| Departure angle | SL20.9° | Rock Creek22.8° |
| What | SL | Rock Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | SL3.5L direct-injection V6 | Rock CreekRock Creek 3.5L V6, premium-fuel output |
| Rear axle | SLUnpowered rear axle, front-wheel drive | Rock CreekIntelligent 4x4, controlled direct coupling and mechanical driveshaft |
| Suspension | SLIndependent strut front / multi-link rear, Dual Flow Path shocks | Rock CreekRock Creek off-road-tuned suspension |
| Wheels | SL18-inch Machine-finished aluminum-alloy wheels | Rock Creek18-inch Black beadlock-style aluminum-alloy wheels |
| Tires | SL255/60R18 all-season tires | Rock Creek265/60R18 all-terrain tires |
| Top | SLSteel roof with black roof rails | Rock CreekRock Creek heavy-duty tubular roof rack |
| Seats | SLTailorFit seating | Rock CreekRock Creek leatherette with unique centers seating |
| Gauge cluster | SL12.3-inch driver display | Rock Creek7-inch driver display |
| What | SL | Rock Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Heated steering wheel | SLYes | Rock CreekNot included |
| Qi2 wireless phone charger | SLYes | Rock CreekNot included |
| Receiver hitch, 7-pin harness and enhanced transmission cooling | SLNot included | Rock CreekYes |
The same on both: cargo behind the third row (16.6 cu ft).
More Pathfinder answers
- SV vs SL
- SV vs Rock Creek
- SL vs Rock Creek
- SL vs Platinum
- Rock Creek vs Platinum
- Intelligent 4x4
- A hybrid powertrain
- Eight seats
- Second-row captain’s chairs
- A panoramic moonroof
- Bose 13-speaker audio
- HD Enhanced Intelligent Around View Monitor
- Ventilated front seats
- A head-up display
- A heated steering wheel
- The equipment for up to 6,000-lb towing
- All-terrain tires
- A low-range gearbox
Build your own
Switch to the SL in the trim list to see what goes away, or add packages to either and watch the drawing change.
The Rock Creek, as it comes
↑ The answerRock Creek
$45,090
Rock Creek
$45,090
- MPG
- mpg
- ·
- Power
- hp
- ·
- Cargo
- ft³
- ·
- Clearance
- ″
- ·
- Combined mpg
- mpg
- 20 city · 23 hwy
- Horsepower
- hp
- Premium-fuel rating
- Cargo space
- ft³
- Behind occupied third row
- Ground clearance
- ″
- Published minimum
- Curb weight
- lb
- Published trim / drive / seats; option weight varies
- Has Intelligent 4x4
- No Panoramic roof
- No Bose audio
- No Ventilated seats
- No Head-up display
- Has Surround camera
Choose a trim
Packages & options
Powertrain
Comfort & tech
Exterior
What your options change
This is a stock Rock Creek. Pick a package and every part it swaps shows up here, and in orange on the SUV.
- Has Intelligent 4x4
- No Panoramic roof
- No Bose audio
- No Ventilated seats
- No Head-up display
- Has Surround camera
- Drive
- Intelligent 4x4
- Powertrain
- 3.5L V6 · 9-speed automatic
- Torque
- 270 lb-ft at 4,800 rpm
- Fuel
- Premium for rated output
- City / hwy
- 20 / 23 mpg
- Seating
- 8 · second-row bench
- Cargo, second row
- 45.0 ft³
- Cargo, rows folded
- 80.5 ft³
- Third-row legroom
- 28.0″
- Tow rating
- 6,000 lb · properly equipped
- Towing equipment
- Hitch, harness and enhanced cooling
- Tires
- 265/60R18
- Touchscreen
- 12.3″ · wireless phone mirroring
- Driver display
- 7-inch driver display
- Audio
- 6-speaker audio
- Liftgate
- Power
- Terrain settings
- Auto / Eco / Sport / Tow / Snow / Sand / Mud-Rut