2023 Nissan Pathfinder vs 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid

The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder carried forward its modern design from the previous year, with minimal changes except for the introduction of the Rock Creek trim. Its futuristic headlights and angular C-pillar combined traditional and forward-thinking design elements, ensuring the SUV remained relevant for years. Inside, the Pathfinder offered a clean and sensible layout, making it both visually appealing and practical for everyday use. The various trims, from S to Platinum, provided a range of features, from basic amenities like cloth upholstery and an 8-inch touchscreen to luxurious options like upgraded leather and a fully digital instrument panel.

In contrast, the 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid, particularly the RX 350h and RX 500h F Sport Performance models, showcased a more understated exterior design, with the RX 350h Luxury model lacking any distinct hybrid badging. The RX 500h F Sport Performance, however, stood out with its aggressive styling and unique interior trimmings. The RX's interior adopted a minimalistic approach, with contemporary textures and ambient lighting. The RX 350h Luxury model featured luxurious Macadamia semi-aniline leather and Ash Bamboo wood trim, while the RX 500h F Sport Performance offered a sportier, all-black interior with artificial suede and dark gray aluminum trim.

The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder was equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 284 horsepower and 259 pound-feet of torque. The Rock Creek trim offered a slight power boost, with 295 hp and 270 lb-ft. Power was delivered through a 9-speed automatic transmission, with options for front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The Rock Creek trim, with its off-road suspension and all-terrain tires, provided enhanced off-road capabilities, though it resulted in a rougher ride on paved roads. The Pathfinder's engine was smooth and quiet, but the new shifter design was criticized for being unintuitive. The vehicle offered various drive modes, including Eco, Sport, and All-Terrain, with a maximum towing capacity of 6,000 pounds for the Rock Creek trim.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid offered two distinct powertrains. The RX 350h featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid engine, producing 246 hp and 233 lb-ft of torque, with an expected fuel efficiency of 36 mpg. The RX 500h F Sport Performance, on the other hand, boasted a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder hybrid engine, delivering 366 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. This model accelerated to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds but had a lower fuel efficiency of 27 mpg. The RX 500h's adaptive damping suspension and rear-wheel steering provided a dynamic driving experience, though accessing drive modes required navigating the infotainment system. The RX 350h, with its efficient powertrain and lower center of gravity, offered a more secure and comfortable ride.

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, 16.6 cubic feet. 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 facilitated access to the third row. The Pathfinder featured 12 cupholders and four bottle holders, along with numerous storage compartments. The Rock Creek trim's roof racks could hold up to 220 pounds, though their proximity to the roof made snow removal challenging.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid improved its cargo space, offering 29.6 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 46.2 cubic feet with the back seat folded down. The RX 350h Luxury model provided ten-way power-adjustable front seats with premium leather, while the RX 500h F Sport Performance had eight-way power-adjustable seats with standard leather. The RX's battery placement under the rear seat resulted in excellent leg support but limited headroom. The RX's climate control system and seat heating and ventilation ensured a comfortable ride, though the RX 500h's standard leather was not as luxurious as the RX 350h's semi-aniline leather.

The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, supporting Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims featured a 9-inch touchscreen. While the system was user-friendly, some found the graphics dated. The Pathfinder included four USB ports, Bluetooth connectivity, satellite radio, and voice recognition. The SV trim added a Wi-Fi hotspot, while the SL trim offered wireless Apple CarPlay and device charging. The Platinum trim included additional USB ports. Though not cutting-edge, the Pathfinder's tech features were practical and sufficient for most users.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid introduced a new infotainment system, requiring subscription services for full functionality. The Lexus Interface offered cloud-based navigation and an Intelligent Assistant, though it occasionally provided inaccurate results. The system's single-screen view and lack of a tuning knob were drawbacks. The available head-up display, with dual-function touch-sensing control pads, was problematic for those wearing polarized sunglasses. Despite these issues, the RX's infotainment system represented a significant upgrade, offering modern connectivity and convenience features.

The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder came equipped with a comprehensive suite of driver assistance features, including forward and reverse automatic emergency braking, collision warning, pedestrian detection, and blind-spot monitoring. The SV trim added ProPilot Assist, with lane centering and adaptive cruise control. The SL trim included front parking sensors and a 360-degree parking monitor, while the Platinum trim offered rain-sensing wipers and a head-up display. The Pathfinder's off-road mode provided front- and side-view cameras for obstacle monitoring.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid featured Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, with advanced driving assistance systems like motorcycle detection, evasive steering assistance, and intersection turn assistance. Proactive Driving Assist maintained safe following distances and recharged the battery through regenerative braking. The RX's front cross-traffic alert and curve-speed reduction features had some limitations, and the driver monitoring system could be obstructed by certain driving positions. The RX also offered Traffic Jam Assist and Advanced Park, though these features were not tested.