2024 Nissan Rogue vs 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid, with its redesigned exterior, maintained a familiar aesthetic that was both understated and elegant. The RX 350h Luxury model, despite its hybrid nature, bore no distinguishing marks to set it apart from its non-hybrid counterpart, save for a badge on the liftgate. This subtlety was appreciated by those who prefer their hybrids to blend in rather than stand out. The RX 500h F Sport Performance, however, made a bolder statement with its Copper paint, blacked-out grille, and aggressive styling cues, signaling its performance-oriented nature. Inside, the RX offered a minimalist design with a modern infotainment system, ambient lighting, and luxurious materials like Macadamia semi-aniline leather and Ash Bamboo wood trim in the RX 350h, while the RX 500h featured a sportier all-black interior with artificial suede and dark gray aluminum accents.

In contrast, the 2024 Nissan Rogue received its first major styling update since its 2021 launch, featuring a larger grille and distinctive stack headlights. The Rogue's exterior updates included new wheel designs and more black trim for the top Platinum grade. Inside, the Rogue boasted a more premium feel with a new 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen and upgraded materials in the SV model. The Platinum trim offered leather seats with quilted stitching, enhancing its upscale appeal. While the Rogue's interior design was praised for its quality, the ride quality was noted to be firmer than expected, which detracted from its overall comfort.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid offered two distinct hybrid powertrains. The RX 350h featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a hybrid system, producing 246 horsepower and 233 lb-ft of torque. It was expected to achieve 36 mpg in combined driving, though real-world testing showed an average of 32 mpg. The RX 500h F Sport Performance, on the other hand, delivered a more exhilarating experience with its turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and hybrid system, generating 366 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque. It accelerated to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds but averaged only 20.9 mpg in testing, falling short of its estimated 27 mpg. The RX 500h's adaptive damping suspension and rear-wheel steering contributed to its dynamic handling, making it a joy to drive.

The 2024 Nissan Rogue's powertrain was a standout feature, with its 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine producing 201 horsepower and 225 lb-ft of torque. This engine outperformed many of its competitors' powertrains, offering a balance of power and efficiency. However, the continuously variable transmission (CVT) was criticized for its sluggish response, which detracted from the engine's performance. The Rogue's suspension was firmer than expected, impacting ride quality without providing a noticeable improvement in handling. While the engine impressed, the overall driving experience was less engaging than some rivals.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid provided a comfortable and luxurious interior, especially in the RX 350h Luxury trim with its ten-way power-adjustable front seats, premium leather, and effective climate control. The RX 500h F Sport Performance offered sportier seats with larger bolsters and a thicker steering wheel. The hybrid's battery placement under the rear seat improved leg support but resulted in tight rear headroom. Cargo space was improved over the previous model, with 29.6 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 46.2 cubic feet with the seats folded.

The 2024 Nissan Rogue offered competitive passenger space, with slight variations in legroom compared to rivals. Its cargo capacity of 36.5 cubic feet with the rear seats in place and 74.1 cubic feet with them folded was less than some competitors but more than others. The optional Divide-N-Hide system provided flexibility in cargo management, and the Rogue featured a power liftgate and motion-activated liftgate on higher trims. The center console offered additional storage options, though access to some areas was awkward.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid introduced a new infotainment system, requiring a subscription for full functionality. The Lexus Interface offered features like cloud-based navigation and an Intelligent Assistant, though some users found the system's menu navigation cumbersome. The available head-up display with dual-function touch-sensing control pads was criticized for being distracting, especially for those wearing polarized sunglasses.

The 2024 Nissan Rogue featured an upgraded infotainment system with a 12.3-inch touchscreen on SL and Platinum models, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Rogue was the first Nissan to include Google built-in software, providing integrated Google Maps, Assistant, and Play Store apps. While connectivity was free for five years, a data plan was required for third-party apps. The dual-screen setup was praised for its modern graphics and user-friendly menus, though the system was occasionally slow to boot up.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid came equipped with Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, featuring advanced driving assistance systems like motorcycle detection, evasive steering assistance, and intersection turn assistance. Proactive Driving Assist and Traffic Jam Assist were also available, though some features were criticized for being reactive rather than proactive. The RX's safety systems generally operated with refinement, but certain aspects, like the front cross-traffic alert, were less effective with polarized sunglasses.

The 2024 Nissan Rogue received strong safety ratings, with top scores from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and lane departure warning. ProPilot Assist, available on higher trims, offered advanced driver assistance with lane centering and adaptive cruise control. While not the most advanced system, it was more capable than many competitors' offerings.