2022 Nissan Pathfinder vs 2021 Lexus GX

The 2021 Lexus GX's styling stemmed from a protracted presence in the market. Its basic body shell had been consistent for over a decade, receiving minor updates periodically. In 2014, Lexus introduced its distinctive spindle grille to the GX, updating it again in 2020 with a textured insert and the addition of new triple-beam LED headlights. The 2021 model retained these elements, with silver 18-inch wheels becoming standard on the Premium trim level (19-inch wheels were also available).

Despite these updates, the GX's aggressive and rugged look remained appealing to SUV shoppers. The spindle grille, though initially designed for the sleek LC coupe, adapted well to the GX, creating a coherent yet bold front fascia. Internally, however, the GX showed its age. The wood trim in the Premium test car felt like molded plastic, with plenty of actual plastic present. Nevertheless, standard leather upholstery, including semi-aniline leather on the Luxury trim, added a touch of luxury.

In contrast, the 2022 Nissan Pathfinder adopted a modern design philosophy reflective of its brand's evolving SUV aesthetics. Its front showcased a refreshed V-motion grille, coupled with the new Nissan logo and homage-paying triple-slot grille design from the original Pathfinder. Slim LED daytime running lights and LED headlights enhanced the modern appeal. The Pathfinder was offered in 14 paint jobs and color combinations, with an available black roof adding to its stylish look.

Side panels and a redesigned hood gave the Pathfinder a robust, Kia Telluride-esque appearance. Rearward, sleek taillights and gate-wide badging contributed to its modern and rugged aesthetic. Dimensionally, the Pathfinder became 0.6 inches wider, with a track width increase of 1.2 inches, giving it a more planted look on the road. It was also 0.2 inches higher and 0.8 inches shorter end-to-end, yet provided more legroom than its predecessor.

The Pathfinder promised to be more rugged and capable, offered in four trim levels: S, SV, SL, and Platinum. Standard features across these trims included body-color door handles, chrome badging, a chrome grille, privacy glass, and more. These elements, combined with a robust design ethos, positioned the Pathfinder favorably among buyers seeking a capable and modern family SUV.

Lexus kept the 2021 GX 460 simple with a singular powertrain: a 4.6-liter V8 engine producing 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The GX's performance on the road felt reminiscent of an earlier SUV era. Its V8 engine delivered strong low-end torque, achieving 0-60 mph in 7.8 seconds. However, the GX's significant 5,130-pound weight became evident at higher speeds, making merging and overtaking maneuvers deliberate affairs. Stopping also required careful planning.

The GX's handling highlighted its old-school body-on-frame construction, characterized by low grip, considerable body roll in corners, and less-than-ideal ride quality. The GX, particularly in the Premium trim without adaptive suspension, didn't match the more refined driving dynamics of modern unibody SUVs. Yet, the GX shone off-road, equipped with a Torsen center differential, a low-range 4WD system, and various driver aids. An optional Off-Road Package further enhanced its trail capabilities. The GX boasted an 8.1-inch ground clearance, with approach, departure, and break-over angles making it a formidable off-roader. It could also tow up to 6,500 pounds.

The 2022 Nissan Pathfinder retained its 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 284 horsepower and 259 pound-feet of torque. Though some enthusiasts lamented the lack of alternative-fuel options, the new nine-speed automatic transmission (sourced from ZF) replaced the former CVT, providing smooth and precise gear shifts.

Available in both FWD and AWD configurations, the Pathfinder featured a five-position drive mode selector for FWD models and a seven-mode selector for AWD models. Hill-start assist came standard, with hill descent control exclusive to AWD versions. The Pathfinder's EPA-estimated fuel economy for FWD models was 21 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined. AWD models maintained a 23 mpg combined rating, though Platinum AWD dipped slightly.

Significant platform improvements granted the Pathfinder a stable and comfortable ride, easily handling most road imperfections. Its tight turning radius made it nimble in city and off-road scenarios. The Pathfinder achieved a 6,000-pound towing capacity, with a Class II tow hitch standard in the Platinum grade.

The 2021 Lexus GX's interior showed its age, with upright dashboard ergonomics and a high center console that limited legroom. The steering wheel's odd angle exacerbated the bus-like driving feel. Premium models included a heated wood-trimmed steering wheel, albeit with partial heating due to the wood. The boxy profile, combined with the dashboard design, provided excellent outward visibility, although the tall hood limited forward views.

Storage space was limited inside, with small center-console bins, cupholders, and door bottle holders across all three rows. Despite these shortfalls, the GX's array of physical buttons and knobs facilitated user-friendly control. The GX offered three rows, seating seven, with captain’s chairs available in the second row. However, third-row access was challenging, and the seats provided minimal comfort. The interior’s cargo space was another limitation. With all seats folded, the GX offered 64.7 cubic feet, significantly less than the Discovery’s 73.0 cubic feet. Raising the third row reduced usable cargo space to a narrow strip, necessitating treating the GX as a two-row SUV for practical purposes.

The 2022 Nissan Pathfinder excelled in interior comfort and practicality. Sound insulation improvements reduced road and engine noise, leading to a quieter cabin. Nissan emphasized flexibility in design, integrating wide-opening doors, optional second-row captains chairs, and three-across second-row seating configurations. Notably, the Pathfinder could install up to five car seats, thanks to customer feedback.

Innovative features like EZ Flex Latch and Glide facilitated easy third-row access, even with forward-facing car seats. The removable second-row center console offered practical storage solutions, easily stowable in the rear under-floor cargo space. Up front, the center console provided 13.4 liters of storage.

Cargo capacity behind the third row stood at 16.6 cubic feet, expandable to 45.0 cubic feet with the third row folded down. Total capacity with both rows folded reached 80.5 cubic feet, outshining the Lexus GX. Practical touches like flush rear cargo space sides and under-floor cargo storage enhanced usability.

The Pathfinder accommodated three adults in its 60/40 split-folding rear seat, albeit more comfortably for passengers of average size. Front and second-row seats provided ample space and comfort, especially on long trips. Heated seats were standard on higher trims, with ventilated seats available on the Platinum model. The SUV offered multiple climate control zones, numerous cupholders, and accessibility-enhancing features like a motion-activated power liftgate in the Platinum trim.

The 2021 Lexus GX was lacking in modern tech features, reflecting its decade-old design. Standard connectivity included Bluetooth, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant, yet it missed out on Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The infotainment system felt outdated, with a touchscreen that seemed from the 1990s and limited functionality. Below it, the time and temperature display used outdated seven-segment digital clock graphics. Analog controls were prevalent, which, while primitive for a luxury vehicle, offered ease of use compared to screen-heavy interfaces in newer SUVs.

Conversely, the 2022 Nissan Pathfinder came loaded with contemporary tech without overwhelming the user. Standard features encompassed a six-speaker audio system, 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, Siri Eyes Free, Google Assistant, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, voice recognition, Bluetooth, satellite radio, a 7-inch digital driver-information display, and multiple USB ports. The upper trims added even more, like a 13-speaker Bose Premium Audio system, a 9-inch infotainment touchscreen, wireless charging, a digital instrument panel, head-up display, wireless Apple CarPlay, and connected navigation.

The 2021 Lexus GX included the Lexus Safety System+ as standard, featuring forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, high beams, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. However, it missed out on more advanced safety features like traffic-sign recognition and automated lane centering found in other Lexus and even non-luxury Toyota models. Neither NHTSA nor IIHS had published crash-test ratings for the GX.

The 2022 Nissan Pathfinder, however, came with the Nissan Safety Shield 360 suite standard across all trims. This included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, high-beam assist, and rear automatic braking. Additional safety features included a driver alertness monitor, rear door alert, forward-collision warning, and a surround-view monitor on higher trims. The Pathfinder also boasted ten standard airbags and an additional airbag in the Platinum trim. Like the GX, crash-test ratings from NHTSA and IIHS were unavailable.