2023 Nissan Pathfinder vs 2023 Lexus GX

The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder carried over its redesign from the 2022 model year with minimal changes, except for the new Rock Creek trim. Its futuristic headlights and angular C-pillar combined traditional elements with forward-thinking design, resulting in an SUV that looked modern and relevant. Inside, the cabin featured clean lines and a sensible layout, making it both visually appealing and practical for everyday use.

The Pathfinder offered various trims: S, SV, SL, Rock Creek, and Platinum. The base S trim included 18-inch alloy wheels, manually adjustable seats, cloth upholstery, push-button start, remote keyless entry, and tri-zone automatic climate control. Higher trims added features like heated front seats, power-adjustable seats, leather upholstery, and larger touchscreen infotainment systems. The Rock Creek trim stood out with its off-road suspension, all-terrain tires, and rugged styling, while the Platinum trim topped the range with upgraded leather upholstery, 20-inch alloy wheels, and advanced tech features.

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 front end looked aggressive, framed by massive headlights. The GX Black Line Special Edition returned for 2023, limited to 3,000 units and available in three paint colors, including the exclusive Nori Green Pearl.

Despite its luxury badge, the GX's dimensions seemed compact, with a short 109.8-inch wheelbase and minimal overhangs. The design leaned sleeker compared to Toyota's blocky designs, making it easier to maneuver in technical driving situations. Inside, the GX had a mix of luxury touches and disappointing plastic materials, reflecting its low sales volume and cost-saving measures. However, it still offered features like heated and cooled front seats, a power-retracting steering wheel, and impressive leather upholstery.

The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 284 horsepower and 259 pound-feet of torque. The Rock Creek trim had a slightly tuned version, delivering 295 hp and 270 lb-ft. Power was routed through a 9-speed automatic transmission to either front-wheel drive (FWD) or available all-wheel drive (AWD). The Rock Creek trim featured a taller suspension with off-road shocks and standard AWD, enhancing its off-road capability.

The Pathfinder's engine provided ample power for city and highway driving, with a smooth and quiet performance. However, the new proprietary shifter design was unintuitive and potentially unsafe. The rotary drive mode dial was user-friendly, offering various modes like Eco, Sport, Normal, Sand, Mud/Rut Snow, and Towing. The Rock Creek trim added an All-Terrain mode and a downhill crawl assist button. The Pathfinder had a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 pounds, but the Rock Creek trim could tow up to 6,000 pounds, a capability also available on the SV and SL trims with optional equipment.

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 offered a satisfying linear power delivery and a distinctive sound. The GX had a 6,500-pound towing capacity, making it more capable than most three-row crossovers, but it lagged behind other SUVs.

The GX's fuel economy was a drawback, with EPA estimates of 15 mpg city, 19 highway, and 16 combined. The vehicle's weight contributed to its rolling through corners, but the roll felt predictable and controllable. The GX's driving dynamics had improved over the years, with communicative road feel, strong brakes, and a Torsen torque-sensing limited-slip differential for better traction in various conditions.

The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder offered up to 80.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the second and third rows folded flat. With the second row in use, it provided 45 cubic feet, and with all seats upright, it had 16.6 cubic feet of cargo space. The first two rows offered ample headroom and legroom, while the third row was suitable for shorter trips. The optional second-row captain's chairs made accessing the third row easier. The Pathfinder had 12 cupholders and four bottle holders, along with plenty of cubbies and compartments for storage. The Rock Creek trim's roof racks were practical, holding up to 220 pounds, but removing snow from the roof could be challenging.

The 2023 Lexus GX had a spacious center console bin, a handy space for a phone, and conveniently placed cupholders. However, it lacked USB-C ports, and the door pockets were small. The GX retained physical controls, which were a blessing for those who preferred hard buttons over touchscreens. The center console lid had sliding mechanisms for adjustable armrests, and the second row was comfortable with captain's chairs or a three-across bench seat. The third row was tight, suitable only for emergencies. The GX had a side-hinged trunk door, offering 11.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 46.7 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 64.7 cubic feet with both rows folded.

The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims featured a 9-inch touchscreen. The system was user-friendly, with logical menu layouts and real buttons and dials. However, the graphics were low-quality, and the backup and parking cameras were low-definition. The Pathfinder also had four USB ports, a six-speaker stereo, Bluetooth connectivity, satellite radio, and voice recognition. The SV trim added a Wi-Fi hotspot, while the SL trim added wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless device charging, and a third-row USB port. The Platinum trim included a second third-row USB port.

The 2023 Lexus GX had a 10.3-inch touchscreen, an improvement over the old system, with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integrations. The Lexus Remote Touch Interface (RTI) was still present but unnecessary due to the improved touchscreen. The GX included three years of Lexus Enform Remote, a remote-start feature operable from a smartphone. The Luxury trim had a 17-speaker Mark Levinson premium stereo and a CD player. However, the touchscreen lagged, and the graphics were not as crisp as those in competing models. The GX excelled in off-road capability, with a real 4WD system, a two-speed transfer case, low range, a locking center differential, and various driving-focused technologies like downhill assist, hill-start assist, traction control, and stability control. The Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS) and the Off-Road Package further enhanced its off-road performance.

The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder came standard with forward and reverse automatic emergency braking, forward and reverse collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic high beams, rear parking sensors, driver attention monitoring, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The SV trim added ProPilot Assist, which included lane centering and adaptive cruise control. The SL trim added front parking sensors, a 360-degree parking monitor, and traffic-sign recognition. The Platinum trim included rain-sensing wipers and a head-up display. The Pathfinder also had front- and side-view cameras for off-road mode.

The 2023 Lexus GX had not been crash-tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Despite its older engineering, the GX included advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) like automatic emergency braking, lane-departure alert, adaptive cruise control, parking assist, and automatic high beams. While it lacked some top-end features, its safety technology was significantly newer than its body design.