Help, I Bought a 2025 Toyota Highlander, and I’m Having Bad Buyer’s Remorse, I Just Looked at a Nissan Pathfinder, I Should Have Bought It Instead

Should you buy the 2025 Toyota Highlander or the 2025 Nissan Pathfinder?

If you ask Michele Large, a recent owner, she says she made a mistake buying a 2025 Toyota Highlander and should have purchased the Nissan Pathfinder instead. On the Toyota Highlander Owners Club Facebook page, she has concerns about the midsize SUV.

Michele, a one-day-old owner, expresses her regret, saying, "I'm having bad buyer's remorse. I purchased my first 2025 Highlander yesterday. I looked at the Nissan Pathfinder but decided to go with Toyota. Now, I feel like I should have gone with the Pathfinder instead." 

Before we examine why Michele is having second thoughts about her Highlander purchase, consider buying a new 2025 Toyota Highlander. You thought you had done your research, but after only one day of driving the latest model, you're not sure you made the right decision.

Is one day of owning a vehicle long enough?

Now, think of the test drive. Michele spends hours researching which new three-row SUV to purchase. She also studied the Nissan Pathfinder, and it came in a close second. However, the Highlander was her first choice, so she went to the dealer to have a look.

Michelle spent hours researching the Highlander and Pathfinder, and only about 15 minutes test-driving the new Highlander. After the short drive, the salesperson gets Michele into the showroom, and the sales process begins. 

The salesperson, keen to retain a potential customer, ensures Michele doesn't leave the showroom to test-drive the Pathfinder. This pressure tactic is a common sales strategy in the car industry. 

The deal is on..

Initially, Michele was confident in her decision, believing she was making the right choice by purchasing the 2025 Toyota Highlander. However, it didn't take long for buyer's remorse to set in.

Here is what Michele says, "I just purchased my first 2025 Toyota Highlander yesterday. I looked at the Nissan Pathfinder SL trim level but decided to go with Toyota. Now, I feel like I should have gone with the Pathfinder instead."

What are Michele's issues with the Highlander?

Michele says she can't see out of the Highlander, and the visibility from the driver's seat is poor. She also thinks the cabin of the Highlander is noisy. 

These are two things she didn't notice during the brief test drive, which consisted of a few blocks around the Toyota dealership. 

She says, "I'm not used to the road noise or sitting lower, even with the power seat up to the maximum height." Does anyone else have the road noise?" she asks other Highlander owners.

"I came from a truck, so maybe it will get better over time? "I sure hope I made the right decision."

It's Too Late Now

Michele cannot return the Highlander and get a refund, like you can at Walmart or Home Depot, after making a purchase. Once the car is titled and the Toyota dealer signs the papers, the Highlander is considered a used vehicle as soon as it is driven off the dealer's lot. She's stuck with it.

Comments for Michele. Keith Dutton gives Michele this advice. 

"I retired 3 years ago after teaching in college business departments for 20 years. I stay up to date on business issues, especially those in the automotive industry. Twice in the last few months, I've read articles in business trade publications predicting that Nissan will be out of business in 18-24 months."

"They pulled out of a merger with Honda, probably sealing their fate. I've owned a Nissan truck in the past and loved it, but I wouldn't buy one of their products now."

Suthius Truong says, "Different tires will help with road noise. The stock tires that come on these Highlanders are not that great."

Jacob Kayne says, "Nissan has been on a serious decline over the past 10+ years. Toyota is doing the exact opposite. Reliability is non-comparable between the two. Never in my life would I pick Nissan over Toyota. You made the right choice. All vehicles have their issues. And road noise and how high you sit are menial issues compared to what you'd get out of the Nissan a little down the road."

Kristy Martin, "Coming from a pickup and looking at a Pathfinder? Why didn't you buy a 4Runner? The 4Runner is built on a pickup frame, whereas the Highlander is a crossover SUV, so it rides more like a car."

Michele says, "My husband thinks the 4Runners are ugly."

What Does Consumer Reports Say?

Consumer Reports gives the 2025 Toyota Highlander an overall score of 77 out of 100. 

They give the Highlander a road test score of 82/100, a predicted reliability score of 65/100, and an expected owner satisfaction score of 3/5. 

CR says, "Toyota replaced the Highlander's long-serving V6 engine with a turbocharged four-cylinder. The turbo-four doesn't produce as pleasant a powertrain as the old V6, and we didn't notice an improvement in overall fuel economy. Still, the Highlander remains a roomy, comfortable, functional, and likely reliable choice among midsized three-row SUVs. As such, it continues its perch right near the top of our rankings."

"We expect the 2025 Highlander will be more reliable than the average new car. This prediction is based on data from 2022, 2023, and 2024 models."

Consumer Reports gives the 2025 Nissan Pathfinder an overall score of 65 out of 100. 

They give the Pathfinder a road test score of 81/100, a predicted reliability score of 38/100, and an expected owner satisfaction score of 2/5. 

CR says, "With the latest Pathfinder redesign in 2022, Nissan has invoked the squared-off styling of the original late-1980s version. Heritage-inspired looks aside, this midsized three-row SUV is a significant improvement over its bland, clumsy predecessor, thanks to a better powertrain, sharper handling, and an updated infotainment system."

However, CR says, "We expect the 2025 Pathfinder will be less reliable than the average new car. This prediction is based on data from the 2023 model and the Nissan brand score."

Consumer Reports ranks the Toyota brand number 3 overall among all automakers, with a score of 62 out of 100. In comparison, Nissan is ranked number 12 overall, with a score of 48/100.

Did Michele Make the Right Decision?

Yes, absolutely. The Highlander is the preferred model over the Pathfinder due to its reputation for reliability and fuel efficiency. While the Pathfinder offers more towing capacity and a stronger V6 engine, the Highlander provides a more balanced combination of performance, efficiency, and safety. 

Toyota Highlander Advantages:

• Reliability: Toyota consistently ranks highly in reliability surveys, with the Highlander being known for its long-term dependability.
• Fuel Economy: The Highlander, especially the hybrid version, offers excellent fuel efficiency, particularly in city driving.
• Safety: The Highlander has received high safety ratings, featuring advanced technologies such as blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and traffic sign recognition.
• Interior Technology: The Highlander boasts an excellent infotainment system featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
• Comfort and Ride Quality: Many reviewers praise the Highlander's smooth ride, comfortable seats, and quiet interior, making it an excellent choice for family road trips. 

Nissan Pathfinder Advantages:

• Towing Capacity: The Pathfinder boasts a higher towing capacity than the Highlander, making it a more suitable choice for those who require hauling heavy loads, such as boats or trailers.
• Power: The Pathfinder's optional V6 engine produces more horsepower than the Highlander's.
• Off-Road Capability: The Pathfinder is known for its all-wheel-drive system and rugged build, making it a more capable off-road vehicle. 

Conclusion:

The best choice depends on your priorities. If reliability, fuel economy, and a comfortable ride are your main concerns, the Highlander is a strong contender. If towing capacity and off-road capabilities are more important, the Pathfinder may be a better fit. 

As far as Michele is concerned, 

If she gets a different set of tires, learns to adjust her mirrors, and adjusts the seat better, she'll probably begin to like the Highlander more. 

It's Your Turn

Which 3-Row vehicle would you choose? The Toyota Highlander or Nissan Pathfinder? Click the red Add New Comment link below and let us know.

Check out another 2025 Toyota owner's story with buyer's remorse. I Just Bought a 2025 Toyota RAV4 XLE, Put 1,000 Miles on It, and I Already Want to Trade It In. This Car Is a Total Disappointment

I am Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Reporter since 2012. My 30+ year tenure in the automotive industry, initially in a consulting role with every major car brand and later as a freelance journalist test-driving new vehicles, has equipped me with a wealth of knowledge. I specialize in reporting the latest automotive news and providing expert analysis on Subaru, which you'll find here, ensuring that you, as a reader, are always well-informed and up-to-date. Follow me on my X SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.

Photo credit: Denis Flierl