2024 Nissan Rogue vs 2023 Lexus GX

The 2023 Lexus GX had a commanding presence with its massive spindle grille, 8.1 inches of ground clearance, and an overall height of 74.2 inches. The front end appeared ready to devour the road, framed by large headlights that accentuated its distinctive face. The GX Black Line Special Edition, limited to 3,000 units, returned with three paint options: Obsidian, Eminent White Pearl, and Nori Green Pearl. Despite its luxury badge, the GX's short 109.8-inch wheelbase and minimal overhangs suggested it was built for off-road adventures. The interior, however, was a mix of luxury and disappointment, with a significant amount of plastic material undermining its premium status. Yet, features like heated and cooled front seats, a power-retracting steering wheel, and impressive leather upholstery added some luxury touches.

The 2024 Nissan Rogue received its first major styling update since its 2021 launch, maintaining its trim levels: S, SV, SL, and Platinum. The new, larger grille seamlessly blended with the stack headlights and daytime running lights, while the rear fascia saw minor changes. The Rogue SV got new 18-inch wheels, and the Platinum trim featured 19-inch machined-finish wheels and more black exterior trim. Inside, the Rogue's dashboard was updated to accommodate a new 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, giving it a more premium feel. The Rogue SV models received new materials on nearly every interior surface, enhancing the overall cabin experience. The Platinum trim boasted leather seats with quilted stitching, making it feel upscale and well-appointed.

The 2023 Lexus GX was defined by its 4.6-liter V8 engine, producing 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. While not the most powerful on paper, the V8 delivered a satisfying linear power rise and a distinctive roar. The GX had a towing capacity of 6,500 pounds but lagged in fuel economy, with EPA estimates of 15 mpg city, 19 highway, and 16 combined. The GX's weight made it roll through corners, but its predictable and controllable roll, strong brakes, and communicative road feel made it manageable. The Torsen torque-sensing limited-slip differential and standard 4WD system enhanced its off-road capabilities, making it user-friendly in various conditions.

The 2024 Nissan Rogue featured a 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine with 201 horsepower and 225 pound-feet of torque. This VC-Turbo engine could vary its compression ratio for power or fuel economy, outperforming many competitors' engines. However, the continuously variable transmission (CVT) was slow to transfer power to the wheels, and the suspension felt firmer than expected, affecting ride quality. The Rogue came standard with front-wheel drive, with all-wheel drive available. While the engine's performance was impressive, the CVT and firm suspension detracted from the overall driving experience.

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 were a blessing, with hard buttons instead of haptic-touch interfaces. The second row was comfortable, with captain's chairs or a three-across bench seat option. The third row was too tight for regular use, and the side-hinged trunk door required muscle to open. Cargo space was limited, with 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.

The 2024 Nissan Rogue offered competitive passenger space, with slight differences in legroom compared to rivals. Its cargo space was 36.5 cubic feet with the rear seats in place and 74.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, less than a CR-V or Tucson but more than a Forester. The optional Divide-N-Hide system allowed for flexible cargo configurations, and the cargo area had a molded-in space for grocery bags. The center console featured a pass-through space and a storage tray at floor level, though it was awkward to reach.

The 2023 Lexus GX's infotainment system, revamped in 2022, already felt dated. The 10.3-inch touchscreen was an improvement, with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integrations. The Lexus Remote Touch Interface was still present but unnecessary. The GX included three years of Lexus Enform Remote and a 17-speaker Mark Levinson premium stereo. However, the touchscreen lagged, and the graphics were not as crisp as competitors. The GX excelled in off-road technology, with a real 4WD system, downhill assist, hill-start assist, traction control, and stability control. The Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System and Off-Road Package further enhanced its off-road capabilities.

The 2024 Nissan Rogue's lower-level models came with an 8-inch touchscreen and wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The SL and Platinum models featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen with wireless connectivity, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Amazon Alexa, and Google built-in apps. The Rogue was the first Nissan to offer Google built-in, integrating Google Maps, Google Assistant, and the Google Play app store. The dual 12.3-inch screen setup was a significant improvement, though the touchscreen was occasionally slow to boot up. The Rogue included multiple USB-C ports and a wireless charging pad. Nissan extended the free trial period for its Nissan Connect Services to three years, offering features like remote door lock/unlock, remote engine start/stop, vehicle health reports, and emergency calling.

The 2023 Lexus GX had not been crash-tested by NHTSA or IIHS, but it was originally engineered for the 2010 model year. Despite this, it included advanced driver assistance systems like automatic emergency braking, lane-departure alert, adaptive cruise control, parking assist, and automatic high beams.

The 2024 Nissan Rogue received top safety scores from IIHS and a five-star overall rating from NHTSA. Standard driver assist features included automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, and rear automatic emergency braking. ProPilot Assist, available on higher trims, added automated lane centering for highway driving.