2023 Toyota RAV4 vs 2022 Nissan Pathfinder

The fifth-generation 2022 Nissan Pathfinder took design cues from Nissan's new SUV design era, featuring a distinctive take on the company’s V-motion grille reminiscent of the Rogue and Armada. Up front, the redesigned grille paid homage to the first-generation Pathfinder, flanked by LED headlights and slim LED daytime running lights. The bulky, slated C-pillar referenced the vehicle's heritage. Nissan provided 14 paint jobs and color combinations, including an option for a black roof that extended down to the C-pillar.

With wider side panels and hood, the Pathfinder looked beefier than its predecessor, much akin to the design ethos of the Kia Telluride rather than the Toyota Highlander. The rear featured sleek, thin taillights that wrapped around a large liftgate, which prominently displayed the Pathfinder nameplate. Nissan increased the vehicle's width by 0.6 inches, and its track widened by 1.2 inches, providing a grounded stance. Despite being 0.2 inches taller and 0.8 inches shorter end-to-end, the interior offered significantly more legroom.

The model positioned itself as a more robust and rugged option compared to its predecessor. Available in four trim levels—S, SV, SL, and Platinum—each grade boasted body-color door handles, chrome badging, and a chrome grille. The Pathfinder provided standard eight-passenger seating (except for the Platinum trim, which featured second-row captain's chairs) and a variety of upholstery options ranging from cloth to quilted semi-aniline leather.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota RAV4 offered six trim levels, from the sub-$30K RAV4 LE to the high-end RAV4 Limited, with two off-road-friendly trims in the mid-price range. The 2023 model stuck closely to the 2019 design, especially the Adventure and TRD Off-Road trims, which sported a distinctive two-part face. The Adventure trim featured a lowered Toyota badge, a more aggressively styled grille, and blacked-out wheels along with faux skid plates and prominent black cladding, making it more of a style statement than an off-roader.

Inside, the Adventure trim utilized orange accents on the seats and console, adding a sporty touch. A frameless rearview mirror contributed a premium feel to the otherwise utilitarian interior. The RAV4 lineup offered fabric seats in the LE and XLE trims, upgrading to SofTex upholstery in the XLE Premium trim. Various power and manual adjustability options were available, with heated and ventilated front seats on higher trims, alongside dual-zone climate control.

The 2022 Nissan Pathfinder retained its 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 284 horsepower and 259 lb-ft of torque. Despite no alternative fuel options, this engine proved powerful and capable. It paired with Nissan’s new nine-speed automatic transmission, a shift from the previous continuously variable transmission (CVT), offering smoother gear transitions. The Pathfinder was available in both front-wheel-drive (FWD) and all-wheel-drive (AWD) configurations. It featured a selection of drive modes—five for FWD and seven for AWD.

Hill-start assist was standard, and hill descent control was exclusive to AWD models. Fuel economy for the FWD Pathfinder was estimated at 21 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined. The AWD version slightly improved highway mileage but maintained the combined rating, while the fully-loaded Pathfinder Platinum AWD recorded 20 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 22 mpg combined.

Nissan made significant upgrades to the existing platform, enhancing suspension for a stable ride that absorbed road imperfections effectively. The vehicle's steering was responsive, providing superior maneuverability compared to its rivals. A highlight was its 6,000-pound maximum towing capacity, with standard Class II tow hitch and trailer harness in higher trims, and pre-wiring on all models.

In comparison, the 2023 Toyota RAV4 featured a standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 203 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. This engine, while adequate, lacked the excitement of some competitors. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, it was preferable to a CVT but lacked quick acceleration. AWD was standard for Adventure and TRD Off-Road trims and optional for other models, also adding a Snow Mode.

The TRD Off-Road trim boasted all-terrain tires and a TRD-tuned suspension, making it superior to the Adventure trim for off-road use. Standard RAV4 models came with a MacPherson independent front suspension and multi-link rear suspension, providing a balanced ride.

The 2022 Nissan Pathfinder's interior was designed with family-friendly features and flexibility. Sound insulation improvements made the cabin quieter, with acoustic laminated glass and thicker passenger windows reducing road noise. It boasted best-in-class front-seat legroom and increased hip room for third-row passengers. Innovative second-row seat technology allowed for easy access to the third row.

The Pathfinder offered substantial cargo space: 16.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 45 cubic feet with the third row folded flat, and 80.5 cubic feet with both second and third rows flat. Additional under-floor storage space enhanced its practicality, and the rear seats could comfortably accommodate three adults.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 seated five passengers with 37.7 inches of front headroom (with moonroof) and 39.5 inches in the rear, offering less front but more rear headroom than some rivals. Leg room was 41 inches in the front and 37.8 inches in the back, aligning with the CR-V in the front but falling short in the rear. Cargo space was competitive, offering 37.5 cubic feet behind the second row and 69.8 cubic feet with seats folded, placing it in the mid-range among competitors but behind leaders like the Honda CR-V. The RAV4 provided thoughtful storage solutions with door pockets, a glove compartment shelf, and convenient front row configurations.

The 2022 Nissan Pathfinder came equipped with modern yet user-friendly technology. Standard features included a six-speaker audio system, 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, voice recognition, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and multiple USB ports across both rows. Higher trims featured a 9-inch touchscreen, wireless charging, and a 13-speaker Bose Premium audio system.

Safety features were robust with a long list of standard equipment, including automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. A surround-view monitor was available on upper trims, enhancing safety further.

By contrast, the 2023 Toyota RAV4 introduced a new infotainment system with an 8.0-inch touchscreen as standard, upgrading to a 10.5-inch touchscreen in higher trims. The system supported over-the-air updates, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, and voice command. Higher trims featured an 11-speaker JBL Premium audio system.

The 2022 Nissan Pathfinder included the Nissan Safety Shield 360 suite as standard, offering comprehensive safety features such as automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. A rearview camera and driver alertness monitor were standard, while upper trims included a surround-view monitor.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 was equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, featuring adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and a pre-collision system. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert was standard from the XLE trim upwards. The RAV4 earned a 2023 Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS, reflecting its strong safety performance.