Nissan Pathfinder Vs Toyota Kluger

You should add the Isuzu MUX to the list, they are well renowned for reliability and would tow that size van with ease.

My suggestion would be to add a long range tank to extend the distance between refills.

Pathfinder probably cheaper, and also a bit more rugged, and probably cheaper to run. All depends on the deal you can get.

Cheers
Jim

The Klunker is petrol AND front wheel drive unless you pay for an AWD, which ONLY becomes active when wheel slippage is experienced and unwise to tow with a FWD imho.. ANY slightly slippery surface will see your front wheel traction disappear, especially with the rear loaded. Then you don't move the van anywhere, anyone got a towrope?
The Nissan pathfinder has no chassis and is petrol or hybrid petrol, Read more complicated and is Hybrid ok for towing?
Both will suck fuel if travelling with 1500kg on the back. Both are at least as costly, most times more cost than an MUX and the MUX far more economical. Mux Bounces around does it? not heard of that before. Many Many Mux vehicles out there performing better than your preference choices. There is a reason MUX is seen frequently towing. Upgrade of fuel tank size needed though.

Funny this morning I was speaking to a bloke who I recommended to buy a Mux.

he bought it about 3-4 years ago to tow his 1500Kg van has 98Kk and NO problems.

He bought a 2WD . I didn't know at the time they made 2WD.

Anyway he was saying that he gets about 8.5 Lper100Km towing at 90 to 100Km across the Nullarbor.

My son is in the process of buying one and the bloke's brother is also in process. 3 months wait for new.

The 4wd will not get as good economy but should do 10Lper 100Km.
The bloke is utterly rapt with it.

I heard somewhere that there were gearbox issues with the new shape Pathfinders

https://autoexpert.com.au/videoblog/nissan-pathfinder-class-action-lawsuit-investigation

Not what you want to hear if you're towing anything.

Between those two yank wagons I’d choose a Ford territory diesel.

To answer your question, we have a Kluger and love it. It will be a little thirsty but it's the most comfortable ride. As long as your van is not more than 1600 kgs full, the Kluger will do just fine. I can't comment on the Pathfinder, I've never owned a Nissan. I used our D-max for our lap but we had to as our van is over 2 tonne. On long trips without the van we use the Kluger. Your call.

Chris a.
Let us know your thoughts on the info provided in replies as there is a lot more awareness about your question if deciding to spend $'s on vehicle and caravan. You don't see too many of those two towing anything.

Personally I'd go Kluger, based solely on the gearbox alone. Everything else really is pretty equal between them, but the Pathfinder has more room in the back/ far back seats (doesn't sound like an issue for you).

Bear in mind, you're up for servicing every 10,000km if not sooner though. MUX from memory has longer intervals.

Look at the payload each can carry, and the service intervals. If it were me, and I am guessing you're aiming somewhere in the $30K+ mark and prefer petrol (as do I), I'd also be looking at a Subaru Outback, preferably the 6-cylinder version.