The Toyota Tacoma and the Nissan Pathfinder received slight refreshes, keeping both stalwarts on the up-and-up in terms of visual appeal. And while minor in the grand scheme of things, these updates, especially for the Pathfinder, bring some welcome changes that buyers will find pleasing. Neither received major mechanical updates, though each offers a range of trims to suit both lifestyle and everyday buyers, which includes off-road trims like the Rock Creek for the Pathfinder, and the TRD range for the Taco.
Nissan has been on the path to recovery, launching the Re:Nissan initiative a little while ago, which sees the brand revamping its entire lineup in order to re-capture some of the market magic that was overshadowed by controversy behind the scenes. As far as Toyota, well, it’s Toyota, so nothing extremely buzzworthy in terms of controversy, though we can expect the same level of reliability and transparency that we’ve come to expect.
The 2026 Nissan Pathfinder Brings Its Tech Into The Modern Age
In terms of changes, the 2026 Pathfinder’s exterior got a splash of newness in the form of updated front and rear fascias that deliver a less rugged-oriented approach to design, instead tempering the grit and making the vehicle overall more approachable to those looking for a nice family hauler, resembling the latest Murano and Sentra’s styling basis. That said, the Rock Creek trim is still cut from a coarser cloth, boasting its own front bumper and grille design, LED fog lights, a tubular roof rack, and several unique Rock Creek-specific touches. Other exterior updates include black roof rails for the SL and Platinum trims, and a new 20-inch wheel design for the Platinum.
The most appealing updates for the ’26 Pathfinder are found inside the cabin, where the restyled dash houses a new 12.3-inch touchscreen display that replaces the previously used seven- or eight-inch touchscreen display across all trims, including the base S trim, and now includes standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This is a big step for the Pathfinder, considering that, in 2025, a small screen could be a huge turn-off for potential buyers looking to capitalize on dazzling tech. The SL trim also gets a standard 12.3-inch digital cluster, whereas this feature was previously only available on the top trim options.
Other interior changes include an updated wireless device charger that increases its maximum power delivery from five to 15 watts and also includes a cooling fan to keep the electronics happy when charging; a magnetic phone positioning is also included, which helps keep devices in the optimum charging position. Finally, the class-exclusive HD Intelligent Around View Monitor received an update to include two new camera systems that give drivers a clearer, more comprehensive view of the vehicle, which should help them park and navigate tighter spaces.
The Tacoma Gets A Few Updates In The Visual And Versatility Departments
The 2026 Tacoma doesn’t mess with the fourth-gen recipe too much, instead opting to add black front logos to the TRD range, along with a fresh set of TRD wheels shod in 32-inch Goodyear All-Terrains for the TRD Off-Road Premium package. There are a few new color options — Heritage Blue and Wave Maker — the latter exclusive to the TRD Pro.
Lastly, a tow hitch is now standard on the SR XtraCab models, which is a welcome feature for those who actually use their pickup for pickup duties. Other than those slight visual enhancements, as well as the added versatility of the standard tow hitch on the SR XtraCab, the Taco remains a steady ship set to continue its journey as America’s bestselling midsize pickup.
Sources: Toyota, Nissan
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