Third generation (R51) · 2005–2012

Nissan Pathfinder R51

We have 9 configurations of the R51 Pathfinder, model year 2012. The 2012 Nissan Pathfinder has up to 9.0 in of ground clearance (S and LE) and an approach angle of up to 28.7° (LE). It is rated to tow up to 7,000 lb (LE 4x4 V8).

MakerSource: 2012 Nissan Pathfinder Press Kit (overview, price list and specifications)

Documents last checked Oct 12, 2026.

Model years: 2012
Configurations: 9
Sourced numbers: 101
Documents: 2

2012 Pathfinder LE 4x4 V8, drawn to scale from its published dimensions.

01 / Key numbers

R51 key numbers

The best configuration for each number, factory packages included and fleet-only configurations left out, from the newest model year that publishes it. Each links to its document.

Ground clearance: 9.0 in229 mmS and LE · 2012Maker2012 Nissan Pathfinder Press Kit (overview, price list and specifications)
Approach angle: 28.7°LE 4x4 V8 · 2012Maker2012 Nissan Pathfinder Press Kit (overview, price list and specifications)
Breakover angle: 22.9°LE 4x4 V8 · 2012Maker2012 Nissan Pathfinder Press Kit (overview, price list and specifications)
Departure angle: 24.3°S 4x4 V6 · 2012Maker2012 Nissan Pathfinder Press Kit (overview, price list and specifications)
Max towing: 7,000 lb3,175 kgLE 4x4 V8 · 2012Maker2012 Nissan Pathfinder Press Kit (overview, price list and specifications)
Max payload: up to1,276 lb579 kg5.6L VK56DE V8 · 2012Maker2012 Nissan Pathfinder Press Kit (overview, price list and specifications)
Curb weight: 4,428–5,051 lb2012, 9 configurationsMaker2012 Nissan Pathfinder Press Kit (overview, price list and specifications)
GVWR: 6,000–6,499 lb2012, 9 configurationsMaker2012 Nissan Pathfinder Press Kit (overview, price list and specifications)

02 / Spec plate

Spec plate

2012 Nissan Pathfinder

One configuration per trim, named under each heading, with its numbers as Nissan prints them. “Up to” is a ceiling printed over several configurations (the notes say whose), “from” the lowest figure, and a range is printed across that configuration’s grades. “Door label” means the maker prints it only on each vehicle’s certification label.

2012 Nissan Pathfinder: numbers per trim, one configuration each
Off-road
	SS 4x4 V6	SVSV 4x4 V6	Silver EditionSilver Edition 4x4 V6	LELE 4x4 V6
Ground clearance	9.0 in	8.9 in	8.9 in	8.9 in
Approach angle	28.5°	28.5°	28.5°	28.5°
Breakover angle	22.8°	22.7°	22.7°	22.7°
Departure angle	24.3°	22.6°	22.6°	22.6°
Dimensions and bed
Length	192.3 in	192.3 in	192.3 in	192.3 in
Width	72.8 in	72.8 in	72.8 in	72.8 in
Height	72.6 in	72.6 in	72.6 in	72.6 in
Wheelbase	112.2 in	112.2 in	112.2 in	112.2 in
Weights, loads and capacities
Curb weight	4,647 lb	4,795 lb	4,853 lb	4,935 lb
GVWR	6,113 lb	6,113 lb	6,113 lb	6,113 lb
Max payload	up to 1,047 lb¹	up to 1,047 lb¹	up to 1,047 lb¹	up to 1,047 lb¹
Max towing	6,000 lb	6,000 lb	6,000 lb	6,000 lb
Roof load, driving	200 lb	200 lb	200 lb	200 lb
Fuel tank	21.1 gal	21.1 gal	21.1 gal	21.1 gal
Off-road hardware
Stock tires	P245/75R16	P265/65R17	P265/65R17	P265/60R18
Rear differential	Limited slip (2- or 4-wheel)	Limited slip (2- or 4-wheel)	Limited slip (2- or 4-wheel)	Limited slip (2- or 4-wheel)

Front axle rating: door label.

¹Nissan prints one ceiling for every 4.0L VQ40DE V6: payload up to 1,047 lb. It isn’t each trim’s own figure.

Sources: 2012 Nissan Pathfinder Press Kit (overview, price list and specifications) · 2012 Nissan Pathfinder Owner's Manual · How we source the numbers

03 / Configurations

Every R51 configuration

9 configurations the maker sells or sold, from its price lists and spec sheets, as each comes from the factory.

20129 configurations

2012 Nissan Pathfinder R51: every configuration with its numbers
Configuration	Ground clearance	Approach	Breakover	Departure	Max towing	Max payload	Curb weight	Tires
S 4x2 V6	8.7 in	28.0°	22.0°	23.7°	6,000 lb	up to 1,047 lb	4,428 lb	P245/75R16
S 4x4 V6	9.0 in	28.5°	22.8°	24.3°	6,000 lb	up to 1,047 lb	4,647 lb	P245/75R16
SV 4x2 V6	8.6 in	27.8°	21.9°	22.1°	6,000 lb	up to 1,047 lb	4,572 lb	P265/65R17
SV 4x4 V6	8.9 in	28.5°	22.7°	22.6°	6,000 lb	up to 1,047 lb	4,795 lb	P265/65R17
Silver Edition 4x2 V6	8.6 in	27.8°	21.9°	22.1°	6,000 lb	up to 1,047 lb	4,640 lb	P265/65R17
Silver Edition 4x4 V6	8.9 in	28.5°	22.7°	22.6°	6,000 lb	up to 1,047 lb	4,853 lb	P265/65R17
LE 4x2 V6	8.6 in	27.8°	21.9°	22.1°	6,000 lb	up to 1,047 lb	4,676 lb	P265/60R18
LE 4x4 V6	8.9 in	28.5°	22.7°	22.6°	6,000 lb	up to 1,047 lb	4,935 lb	P265/60R18
LE 4x4 V8	9.0 in	28.7°	22.9°	22.9°	7,000 lb	up to 1,276 lb	5,051 lb	P265/60R18

MakerSource: 2012 Nissan Pathfinder Press Kit (overview, price list and specifications)

A dash means the maker’s documents we have don’t give that number for that configuration, and a column with no number for any configuration of the year isn’t shown. “Door label” means the maker prints it only on each vehicle’s certification label, and “not published” that the maker doesn’t print it, or points elsewhere. “Up to” is a ceiling the maker prints over several configurations; a range is the maker’s own, printed across the grades of that configuration.

04 / Questions

Nissan Pathfinder R51 questions, answered with numbers

Only what Nissan’s documents answer; each answer names its model year. Towing and payload, year by year, are on the Pathfinder towing page.

What is the ground clearance of the 2012 Nissan Pathfinder?

Up to 9.0 in, on the S and LE. The 9 configurations of the 2012 lineup that publish it run 8.6–9.0 in.

MakerSource: 2012 Nissan Pathfinder Press Kit (overview, price list and specifications)

What size tires come on the 2012 Nissan Pathfinder?

P245/75R16 on the S, P265/65R17 on the SV and Silver Edition and P265/60R18 on the LE. By its size code, the P265/65R17 is about 30.6 in tall, the largest of them.

MakerSource: 2012 Nissan Pathfinder Press Kit (overview, price list and specifications)

What are the approach, breakover and departure angles of the 2012 Nissan Pathfinder?

Approach 27.8–28.7°, breakover 21.9–22.9° and departure 22.1–24.3° across the 9 configurations of the 2012 lineup. The steepest approach, 28.7°, is on the LE 4x4 V8.

MakerSource: 2012 Nissan Pathfinder Press Kit (overview, price list and specifications)

How much does the 2012 Nissan Pathfinder weigh?

Its curb weight runs from 4,428 lb (S 4x2 V6) to 5,051 lb (LE 4x4 V8). Its gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR), the most it may weigh loaded, is 6,000–6,499 lb.

MakerSource: 2012 Nissan Pathfinder Press Kit (overview, price list and specifications)

Does the 2012 Nissan Pathfinder have a locking rear differential?

No. Nissan’s documents for the 2012 lineup list Limited slip (2- or 4-wheel) on the S, SV, Silver Edition and LE.

MakerSource: 2012 Nissan Pathfinder Press Kit (overview, price list and specifications)

How big is the 2012 Nissan Pathfinder’s fuel tank?

21.1 gal on every configuration of the 2012 lineup.

MakerSource: 2012 Nissan Pathfinder Press Kit (overview, price list and specifications)

How much weight can the 2012 Nissan Pathfinder’s roof carry?

While driving: 200 lb on every configuration of the 2012 lineup. The driving figure is the one that counts for a roof tent or a loaded rack on the move.

MakerSource: 2012 Nissan Pathfinder Owner's Manual

05 / Sources

The documents

Every number on this page comes from one of these 2 documents. Last checked Oct 12, 2026.

Only the maker’s own documents: press kits, spec sheets, towing guides and owner’s manuals. How we source the numbers.

06 / Generations

Other Pathfinder generations

2013–2020 · 64 configurations

R52 Fourth generation (R52)

Clearance: 7.0 in
Approach: 16.5°
Tows up to: 6,000 lb

Best configuration of the 2020 lineup

R52 specs →

07 / Keep going