2023 Lexus RX Hybrid vs 2022 Nissan Rogue

The 2022 Nissan Rogue, a staple in Nissan's lineup since 2007, continued to impress with its mature and sophisticated design. The redesign from the previous year carried over, featuring a V-motion grille, multi-level LED headlights, and a sleek floating roof. Inside, the Rogue boasted a layered dash with contrasting colors and surfaces, an electronic gear selector lever, and a spacious center console. The Zero Gravity bucket-style front seats and roomy second row added to its appeal, making it a comfortable and stylish compact crossover. In contrast, the 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid offered a more minimalistic and contemporary interior. The RX 350h Luxury trim featured Macadamia semi-aniline leather and Ash Bamboo wood trim, while the RX 500h F Sport Performance had artificial suede and dark gray aluminum trim. The exterior design, though not groundbreaking, included a blacked-out grille and aggressive styling for the RX 500h. Despite its blunt-nosed appearance, the RX Hybrid maintained a luxurious feel with its premium materials and ambient lighting.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue received a significant performance boost with its new 1.5-liter VC-Turbo engine, producing 201 horsepower and 225 lb-ft of torque. This engine, combined with a new CVT, delivered a lively driving experience and impressive fuel economy, achieving 30 mpg city/37 mpg highway/33 mpg combined. The Rogue's chassis and suspension provided a smooth and controlled ride, with responsive steering and a tight turning diameter. The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid offered two distinct powertrains. The RX 350h featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid engine, producing 246 hp and 233 lb-ft of torque, with an estimated 36 mpg in combined driving. The RX 500h F Sport Performance, with its turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder hybrid engine, delivered 366 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque, accelerating to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds. However, it achieved only 27 mpg in combined driving. The RX 500h's adaptive damping suspension and rear-wheel steering provided a dynamic driving experience, though accessing drive modes through the infotainment system was cumbersome.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue excelled in interior space and storage options. The front cabin featured numerous storage compartments, including bottle holders, cupholders, a glove compartment, and a center console bin. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed ample storage and USB ports. The Rogue's cargo area offered 31.6-36.5 cubic feet of space, expanding to 74.1 cubic feet with the second row folded flat. The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid provided a comfortable and luxurious interior, especially in the RX 350h Luxury trim with its ten-way power-adjustable seats and premium leather. The RX 500h F Sport Performance had sportier seats with larger bolsters. Rear passengers benefited from excellent leg support and good legroom, though headroom was tight. The RX Hybrid's cargo space measured 29.6 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 46.2 cubic feet with the back seat folded down, an improvement over the previous model but still less than some competitors.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue featured a comprehensive technology suite, including a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, a 9-inch center infotainment touchscreen, and a 10.8-inch head-up display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with wireless Apple CarPlay available on upper trims. ProPilot Assist, integrated with the navigation system, provided advanced driver-assist capabilities, enhancing safety and convenience. The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid introduced a new infotainment system, Lexus Interface, which required subscription services for full functionality. The system included cloud-based navigation, an Intelligent Assistant, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, the interface had some usability issues, such as limited simultaneous screen views and reflections on the display. The available head-up display and touch-sensing control pads on the steering wheel added to the tech experience, though they had their own set of challenges.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue came equipped with the Nissan Safety Shield 360 suite, featuring automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, high beam assist, and rear automatic braking. ProPilot Assist offered Level 2 advanced driver-assist capabilities, enhancing safety in various driving conditions. The Rogue received a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS for the 2021 model. The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid included Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, with new features like motorcycle detection, evasive steering assistance, and intersection turn assistance. Proactive Driving Assist and Traffic Jam Assist provided additional safety and convenience. However, some features, such as the front cross-traffic alert and curve-speed reduction, had usability issues. The RX Hybrid's driver monitoring system also had limitations, particularly for drivers with certain driving habits.