2023 Nissan Rogue vs 2023 Lexus GX

The 2023 Lexus GX, with its massive spindle grille, 8.1 inches of ground clearance, and an overall height of 74.2 inches, certainly had a commanding presence. The front end appeared ready to dominate the road, framed by large headlights that accentuated its distinctive face. The GX Black Line Special Edition, limited to 3,000 units, returned for 2023 with three paint options: Obsidian, Eminent White Pearl, and the exclusive Nori Green Pearl.

Despite its imposing front, the GX's side profile seemed more compact with a 109.8-inch wheelbase and minimal overhangs. This design suggested a vehicle engineered for off-road adventures. The flared fenders added to its robust look, but the overall aesthetic leaned sleeker compared to Toyota's blockier designs. Inside, the GX had a mix of luxury touches and disappointing plastic materials, reflecting its low sales and cost-saving manufacturing. Features like heated and cooled front seats, a power-retracting steering wheel, and impressive leather upholstery added to its luxury appeal.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue, on the other hand, maintained a more conservative design approach, reflecting its status as a popular model. It had well-proportioned, chiseled styling with just enough SUV detailing to convey a rugged purpose. The Rogue lineup included S, SV, SL, and Platinum trims, with prices ranging from $27,360 to $37,140, plus a $1,295 destination charge. The SV, SL, and Platinum trims offered optional Premium packages, while the new Midnight Edition package was exclusive to the SV trim.

Our test vehicle, a Platinum trim with the Premium option package, came loaded with features like AWD, two-tone paint, a frameless rearview mirror, and more, pushing its MSRP to $43,100. This price point overlapped with entry-level luxury models like the Infiniti QX50. The Platinum trim offered upscale upgrades, most notably the soft, diamond-pattern leather seats. The interior materials and controls met the quality standards of the compact SUV segment, providing a comfortable and appealing environment.

The 2023 Lexus GX was defined by its V8 engine, which delivered a linear rise in noise and power as the accelerator was pressed. The 4.6-liter V8 produced 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. While not the most powerful on paper, the V8 offered a satisfying driving experience for some. However, its 6,500-pound towing capacity and fuel economy of 15 mpg city, 19 highway, and 16 combined were less impressive compared to modern SUVs.

The GX's weight contributed to its rolling through corners, but it remained predictable and controllable. The steering was vague off-center, but the brakes were strong and reliable. The Torsen torque-sensing limited-slip differential distributed the 4WD system into a 40:60 front:rear split, adjusting based on wheel slip, making it user-friendly in various conditions. Despite its age, the GX's driving dynamics had been improved, offering a communicative road feel.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue, after replacing its 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with a new turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine in 2022, offered a combination of variable compression ratios and turbocharging for impressive performance and fuel economy. The VC-Turbo engine produced 201 horsepower and 225 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT that included paddle shifters. The Rogue offered Eco, Auto, and Sport driving modes, with AWD versions adding Off-Road and Snow modes.

The new powertrain felt responsive in urban and suburban driving, though it lacked passing power on the highway. The engine's unusual note and vibration through the accelerator pedal might not appeal to everyone. The EPA estimated 31 mpg combined, but our test vehicle averaged 28.9 mpg. The Rogue's suspension design, combined with Intelligent Trace Control and Active Ride Control, provided a good balance of ride compliance and body control, though the steering felt lifeless.

The 2023 Lexus GX offered ample cubby space, with a deep center console bin, a handy space ahead of the shifter, and conveniently placed cupholders. However, it lacked modern USB-C ports, sticking with older USB-A ports. The physical controls, with hard buttons, were a blessing for those who preferred them over touchscreens. The center console lid's sliding mechanisms allowed for adjustable armrests, and the second row was comfortable with captain's chairs or a three-across bench seat.

The third row, however, was too tight for regular use, even for children. The side-hinged, non-power-operated trunk door required muscle to open, and the cargo space was limited to 11.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 46.7 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 64.7 cubic feet with both rows folded. This was less than a Toyota RAV4's 69.8 cubic feet.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue, designed as a replacement for the traditional family car, offered easy entry and exit, better visibility, and a practical cargo area. Our Platinum test vehicle featured a triple-zone automatic climate control system, a dual-panel panoramic sunroof, and premium semi-aniline leather upholstery with diamond-stitched inserts. The front seats, with Nissan's Zero Gravity design, were comfortable, though the front passenger seat lacked height adjustment.

The Rogue's rear doors opened to a nearly 90-degree angle, making it easy to load and unload kids. The rear seat was roomy but not as comfortable, with a low-mounted bottom cushion and diamond-shaped pleats that felt like sitting on bubble wrap. Storage space was plentiful but unlined, potentially causing unwanted noise. The hands-free power liftgate revealed up to 36.5 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 74.1 cubic feet with the back seats folded. The Divide-N-Hide feature allowed for six different cargo configurations.

The 2023 Lexus GX's infotainment system, revamped in 2022, already felt dated. The 10.3-inch touchscreen was an improvement, offering Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. The Lexus Remote Touch Interface was still present but unnecessary. The GX included three years of Lexus Enform Remote, a 17-speaker Mark Levinson premium stereo, and a CD player. However, the touchscreen lagged, and the graphics were not as crisp as competitors.

The GX excelled in off-road capability, with a real 4WD system, a two-speed transfer case, low range, and a locking center differential. It also featured downhill assist, hill-start assist, traction control, stability control, and the Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS). The Off-Road Package added a multi-terrain monitor, transmission cooler, fuel-tank protection, crawl control, and a multi-terrain select system.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue used an older infotainment system with an 8-inch or 9-inch touchscreen, stereo volume and tuning knobs, and main menu buttons. Our test vehicle had the 9-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, satellite radio, wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, NissanConnect services, a Wi-Fi hotspot, navigation, a wireless smartphone charging pad, and a Bose premium audio system. Alexa Built-in was new for 2023 but had limited functionality in our test.

The Rogue also featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a head-up display (HUD), both of which worked well. However, the voice recognition technology struggled with basic commands, and the remote keyless entry fob was difficult to use in low light.

The 2023 Lexus GX had not been crash-tested by NHTSA or IIHS, but it included advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) like automatic emergency braking, lane-departure alert, adaptive cruise control, parking assist, and automatic high beams. Despite its older design, the GX's safety features were up-to-date.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue came with 10 airbags, a rear-seat reminder system, and Safety Shield 360, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, rear automatic braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams. Higher trims offered ProPilot Assist with Navi-link, combining adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance. The Rogue earned a Top Safety Pick+ from IIHS and a five-star overall rating from NHTSA, though it had some lower scores in specific tests.