One of the most impressive three-row SUVs I’ve tested this year is the Kia Telluride, which beat the Volkswagen Atlas in my head-to-head matchup. Despite its higher price tag, the Telluride's confident performance, urban-minimalist design, generous passenger amenities, and stacked feature set proved it’s the mid-size, three-row hauler to beat in the segment.

​Next up, though, it faces another formidable challenger: the Nissan Pathfinder — a well-known model that's been hauling families across American roads for decades. This is an intriguing matchup, especially since the Pathfinder’s $57,275 as-tested price undercuts the Telluride’s $59,580 sticker.

​After living with both for a week to evaluate their driving dynamics, real-world fuel economy, and seating, I’ll break down which mid-size SUV offers the best balance of versatility, rugged styling, and everyday value to claim the class benchmark.

​When it comes to curb appeal, it largely comes down to personal preference, as both of these family haulers take distinctive approaches to exterior styling.

The Nissan Pathfinder sticks to a cleaner, more traditional three-row profile, anchored by its upright V-Motion grille. With this Platinum trim, I really love how the two-tone paint job makes the red body pop when the sun hits it just right, while the contrasting black roof and dark wheel accents strike the perfect visual balance. Compared to Kia’s approach, Nissan’s styling doesn’t feel forced or overdone. It’s an honest SUV that looks right at home in any driveway.

By contrast, the Kia Telluride SX-Prestige X-Pro leans into a modern, urban aesthetic.

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