Nissan Pathfinder vs Toyota Highlander Hybrid: cost to own

Verdict, over 6 years

The Toyota Highlander Hybrid costs about $12,293 less

That's $171 a month. Closest matching trims: same fuel and drive where possible.

Pathfinder Rock Creek 4WD$1,609/moTrue cost

Highlander Hybrid XLE AWD✓ $1,439/moTrue cost

2026 Nissan Pathfinder

Closest matching trim: Pathfinder Rock Creek 4WD

Sticker (MSRP)$55,398

+$10,393→↓Freight, fees, HST

Drive away$65,791

+ running costs→↓− $22,796 resale

True cost$1,609/moA month to own, after resale

2026 Toyota Highlander Hybrid

Closest matching trim: Highlander Hybrid XLE AWD

Sticker (MSRP)$54,835

+$10,612→↓Freight, fees, HST

Drive away$65,447

+ running costs→↓− $30,953 resale

True cost$1,439/moA month to own, after resale

Line by line


Price
Sticker (MSRP)	$55,398	✓ $54,835	Highlander Hybrid by $563
Freight and fees, before tax	✓ $2,824	$3,083	Pathfinder by $259
Sales tax (HST)	$7,569	✓ $7,529	Highlander Hybrid by $40
Drive-away price	$65,791	✓ $65,447	Highlander Hybrid by $344
Running costs, 6 years
Fuel or charging	$22,378	✓ $11,216	Highlander Hybrid by $11,162
Insurance (estimate)	✓ $13,132	$23,228	Pathfinder by $10,096
Maintenance (estimate)	$11,062	✓ $8,474	Highlander Hybrid by $2,588
Loan rate	6.5%	6.5%	—
Loan interest	$12,785	✓ $12,713	Highlander Hybrid by $72
Lost return on your money	$13,429	✓ $13,362	Highlander Hybrid by $67
Resale after 6 yrs	−$22,796	✓ −$30,953	Highlander Hybrid by $8,157
Total
True cost	$115,871	✓ $103,578	Highlander Hybrid by $12,293
True cost a month	$1,609/mo	✓ $1,439/mo	Highlander Hybrid by $170
You pay each month	$1,670/mo	✓ $1,613/mo	Highlander Hybrid by $57
Practical
Fuel type	Premium gas	Hybrid	—
Seats	8	8	—
Carry-ons, 2 people	8+	8+	—
Towing, lb	✓ 6,000	3,500	—
Cargo behind row 2, litres	Not published	Not published	—
Length	5.05 m	4.95 m	—
Ground clearance	18 cm	✓ 20 cm	—
Resale % after 6 yrs	41%	✓ 56%	—
US crash test	5★	5★	—

Price

Sticker (MSRP)

Pathfinder Rock Creek 4WD $55,398Highlander Hybrid XLE AWD ✓ $54,835Cheaper by Highlander Hybrid by $563

Freight and fees, before tax

Pathfinder Rock Creek 4WD ✓ $2,824Highlander Hybrid XLE AWD $3,083Cheaper by Pathfinder by $259

Sales tax (HST)

Pathfinder Rock Creek 4WD $7,569Highlander Hybrid XLE AWD ✓ $7,529Cheaper by Highlander Hybrid by $40

Drive-away price

Pathfinder Rock Creek 4WD $65,791Highlander Hybrid XLE AWD ✓ $65,447Cheaper by Highlander Hybrid by $344

Running costs, 6 years

Fuel or charging

Pathfinder Rock Creek 4WD $22,378Highlander Hybrid XLE AWD ✓ $11,216Cheaper by Highlander Hybrid by $11,162

Insurance (estimate)

Pathfinder Rock Creek 4WD ✓ $13,132Highlander Hybrid XLE AWD $23,228Cheaper by Pathfinder by $10,096

Maintenance (estimate)

Pathfinder Rock Creek 4WD $11,062Highlander Hybrid XLE AWD ✓ $8,474Cheaper by Highlander Hybrid by $2,588

Loan rate

Pathfinder Rock Creek 4WD 6.5%Highlander Hybrid XLE AWD 6.5%Cheaper by —

Loan interest

Pathfinder Rock Creek 4WD $12,785Highlander Hybrid XLE AWD ✓ $12,713Cheaper by Highlander Hybrid by $72

Lost return on your money

Pathfinder Rock Creek 4WD $13,429Highlander Hybrid XLE AWD ✓ $13,362Cheaper by Highlander Hybrid by $67

Resale after 6 yrs

Pathfinder Rock Creek 4WD −$22,796Highlander Hybrid XLE AWD ✓ −$30,953Cheaper by Highlander Hybrid by $8,157

Total

True cost

Pathfinder Rock Creek 4WD $115,871Highlander Hybrid XLE AWD ✓ $103,578Cheaper by Highlander Hybrid by $12,293

True cost a month

Pathfinder Rock Creek 4WD $1,609/moHighlander Hybrid XLE AWD ✓ $1,439/moCheaper by Highlander Hybrid by $170

You pay each month

Pathfinder Rock Creek 4WD $1,670/moHighlander Hybrid XLE AWD ✓ $1,613/moCheaper by Highlander Hybrid by $57

Practical

Fuel type

Pathfinder Rock Creek 4WD Premium gasHighlander Hybrid XLE AWD HybridCheaper by —

Seats

Pathfinder Rock Creek 4WD 8Highlander Hybrid XLE AWD 8Cheaper by —

Carry-ons, 2 people

Pathfinder Rock Creek 4WD 8+Highlander Hybrid XLE AWD 8+Cheaper by —

Towing, lb

Pathfinder Rock Creek 4WD ✓ 6,000Highlander Hybrid XLE AWD 3,500Cheaper by —

Cargo behind row 2, litres

Pathfinder Rock Creek 4WD Not publishedHighlander Hybrid XLE AWD Not publishedCheaper by —

Length

Pathfinder Rock Creek 4WD 5.05 mHighlander Hybrid XLE AWD 4.95 mCheaper by —

Ground clearance

Pathfinder Rock Creek 4WD 18 cmHighlander Hybrid XLE AWD ✓ 20 cmCheaper by —

Resale % after 6 yrs

Pathfinder Rock Creek 4WD 41%Highlander Hybrid XLE AWD ✓ 56%Cheaper by —

US crash test

Pathfinder Rock Creek 4WD 5★Highlander Hybrid XLE AWD 5★Cheaper by —

✓ marks the better figure. Resale is from used prices: the Pathfinder typical for its type and brand, the Highlander Hybrid from its own. These trims differ in fuel (premium gas vs hybrid), which drives part of the gap. Their stickers differ by $563.