2024 Nissan Pathfinder Rock Creek Trim: Commanding SUV

Photo Source: NISSAN

SUVs in recent years fit into two distinct categories: vehicles that are essentially pickup trucks without a bed and those that moonlight as tall station wagons. The 2024 Nissan Pathfinder Rock Creek bridges that gap, or at least it makes a valiant effort at the attempt. The off-road prowess of the Pathfinder and the Rock Creek edition signifies that this Nissan has done its best to take the “mall” out of mall crawler and give the Pathfinder, a family-centric SUV, something akin to the Subaru Wilderness Edition treatment.

The Rock Creek is one of five Pathfinder trim levels. First introduced as an appearance package, the 2024 Pathfinder Rock Creek trim level provides a rugged exterior. Per Nissan, drivers receive the following components:

• A slightly raised suspension with a 0.6-inch lift
• Aggressive all-terrain Toyo tires enveloping distinctive, black-painted open-spoke 18-inch alloy wheels with simulated beadlock rims
• A roof rack with a 220-pound capacity
• Captain’s chairs for the second row
• Orange Rock Creek accent stitching on the doors, dashboard, center console, and seats
• A unique front grille and fascia

Indeed, the exterior and interior designs were meticulously styled to work flawlessly from an aesthetic standpoint. The Pathfinder Rock Creek, especially when finished in the aptly named “Gun Metallic,” harbors marvelous appeal and would not look out of place as a support car for an exotic rally locale. The cabin of the Rock Creek is also a spacious place to sit with plenty of elbow room. Moreover, the SUV boasts incredible visibility, and Nissan’s attention to sound-deadening lets buyers leave the world outside when they close the door. 

Beneath the Hood

Powering the Pathfinder is Nissan’s faithful 3.5-liter V-6 engine, accelerating up to 284 horsepower and generating 259 pound-feet of torque. That said, the Rock Creek trim gains a pony bump to 295 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque with the help of premium unleaded fuel. Managing the engine’s power is a new nine-speed automatic transmission and the option of front-wheel drive (FWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD). 

As mentioned, the Rock Creek edition comes equipped with a 0.6-inch suspension lift. Even though the modification is subtle, customers must not disregard its merits. The moderate lift is enough to offer the Rock Creek more ample departure, approach, and breakover angles. In other words, the vehicle lives up to its off-road persona. Mechanically, the Pathfinder is vastly different from other hard-hitting off-roaders such as the Ford Bronco and the Jeep Wrangler. 

For example, the Pathfinder does not have a factory-installed winch, locking differentials, detachable sway bars, or detachable doors. To that end, the Pathfinder Rock Creek does not exist within a vacuum. Nissan’s play in the off-road game is informed by others that came before it. Without vehicles like the Wrangler Rubicon, the Rock Creek trim at best would not make any sense and at worst would not exist.

Tackling the Elements

Standard four-wheel drive automatically transfers torque between the front and rear axles. This driver-selectable system has seven driving modes that incorporate Sand, Snow, and Mud/Rut. It is worth noting that the most prominent aspect of the 7-position Drive and Terrain Mode selector is the simplicity that accompanies it. It is a user-friendly feature that relies on pictorial directions to navigate challenging environments. Drivers can adjust the dial on the center console, and the SUV takes care of the rest. Thus, it is unnecessary for drivers to inherently know whether to engage four-wheel drive or how much throttle to apply in a particular situation.

Sources provide an example regarding the opportune time to utilize the 7-position Drive and Terrain Mode selector: “By selecting the snowflake icon, Snow Mode makes the right moves for you when the roads start to get slippery with the white stuff. Ditto for other driving situations with limited traction, such as sand or mud. Just turn the console-mounted mode selector dial to suit the applicable driving condition.”

If the rock-crawling 2024 Pathfinder Rock Creek trim draws your attention, please come visit Nissan of Fort Pierce, where we have a dedicated sales team that is determined to answer any questions you might have about our new vehicle inventory or our quality pre-owned vehicles.