2023 Nissan Ariya vs 2023 Lexus GX

The 2023 Nissan Ariya showcased a modern and striking design, standing out among top-tier electric vehicles. Nissan avoided creases and angles, opting for an oval shape that gave the crossover a smooth, sleek appearance. The front featured thin LED headlights and a black space mimicking a traditional grille, while the rear had a thin taillight spanning its width. Inside, the Ariya boasted beautiful craftsmanship with minimal hard plastic, dual 12-inch monitors, and illuminated haptic buttons, creating a modern and airy cabin.

In contrast, the 2023 Lexus GX had a commanding presence with its huge spindle grille, 8.1 inches of ground clearance, and a height of 74.2 inches. The GX's front end looked ready to dominate the road, framed by massive headlights. Despite its luxury badge, the GX's interior was marred by a disappointing amount of plastic. However, it did offer luxury touches like heated and cooled front seats and impressive leather upholstery. The GX's design leaned sleeker compared to Toyota's blocky designs, making it easier to handle in technical driving situations.

The 2023 Nissan Ariya offered a range of trims, starting with the Engage FWD, which had a 63-kWh battery and a 160-kW motor producing 214 horsepower. The AWD trims added an extra motor, while the Engage+ AWD and higher trims featured an 87-kWh extended-range battery. The Venture+ FWD had a 178-kW motor making 238 horsepower, and the top-tier Platinum+ AWD boasted 389 horsepower and 442 pound-feet of torque. The Ariya's performance was commendable, with quick steering, managed body roll, and a comfortable suspension. The AWD version excelled with its torque-split tuning and impressive grip. The Ariya offered three drive modes: Eco, Standard, and Sport, with the latter providing a temporary performance boost. The FWD Ariya averaged 3.5 miles per kWh, translating to around 300 miles of range, while the AWD version averaged 3.0 miles per kWh, equating to roughly 260 miles of range.

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 provided a satisfying linear power delivery. The GX had a towing capacity of 6,500 pounds but lagged behind other SUVs in fuel economy, with an EPA estimate of 15 mpg city, 19 highway, and 16 combined. The GX's weight contributed to its predictable and controllable roll through corners. The Torsen limited-slip differential and standard 4WD system made it user-friendly in various conditions. The GX's driving dynamics had improved over the years, with strong brakes and communicative road feel.

The 2023 Nissan Ariya benefited from its ground-up EV architecture, offering a spacious and airy interior. Both front and rear passengers enjoyed ample legroom, though headroom in the back was slightly compromised by the sunroof. The lack of a transmission tunnel added to the open feel. The Ariya had 59 cubic feet of cargo space, comparable to the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Ford Mustang Mach-E but less than traditional SUVs like the Nissan Rogue. The Ariya featured a powered bin under the center stack, adjustable center console, and various control buttons, enhancing its practicality.

The 2023 Lexus GX provided plenty of cubby space for small items, with a deep center console bin and conveniently placed cupholders. The GX retained hard buttons for controls, which some users preferred over touchscreens. The center console lid had sliding mechanisms for adjustable armrests, and the second row offered comfortable seating with captain's chairs or a three-across bench. However, the third row was too tight for regular use. The GX's side-hinged, non-power-operated trunk door required effort to open, and 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 down.

The 2023 Nissan Ariya aimed to inform, connect, protect, and assist its customers with dual 12-inch displays for driver information and infotainment. The screens were crisp and bright, with a seamless physical connection. Wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto were standard, along with a head-up display on all but the Engage trim. The Ariya integrated Alexa compatibility, allowing users to control smart home devices and start the car via voice commands. The infotainment system was modern and user-friendly, a significant improvement over other Nissan models.

The 2023 Lexus GX's infotainment technology, updated in 2022, already felt dated. The 10.3-inch touchscreen was an improvement, offering Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. However, 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 stereo. Despite these features, the GX's tech lagged behind newer Lexus models, with a slow touchscreen and outdated graphics. The GX excelled in off-road capability, 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 prowess.

The 2023 Nissan Ariya expanded its tech-focused approach to safety with ProPilot Assist 2.0 on the Empower+ and Platinum+ trims, offering hands-free driving capabilities and lane-change assist. All Ariya models included automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, a driver-attention monitor, and traffic-sign recognition. However, the Ariya had not yet been crash-tested by NHTSA or IIHS.

The 2023 Lexus GX, originally engineered for the 2010 model year, had not been crash-tested by NHTSA or IIHS. Despite its age, the GX included advanced driver assistance systems like automatic emergency braking, lane-departure alert, adaptive cruise control, parking assist, and automatic high beams. While lacking some top-end features, the GX's safety systems were commendable.