2024 Lexus RX vs 2023 Nissan Rogue

The 2023 Nissan Rogue was designed with a focus on appealing aesthetics, featuring proper proportions, chiseled styling, and SUV detailing that conveyed a rugged sense of purpose. It was available in S, SV, SL, and Platinum trims, with prices ranging from $27,360 to $37,140, plus a $1,295 destination charge. The Platinum trim, which we tested, included a host of upscale features such as diamond-pattern leather seats and soft-touch materials, pushing the MSRP to $43,100. Despite its high price, the Rogue Platinum offered a luxurious feel that rivaled entry-level luxury SUVs.

In contrast, the 2024 Lexus RX had a more polarizing design, especially with its oversized trapezoidal grille and bulky front end. The side profile featured bulging body panels and a swooping chrome accent strip, while the rear end had a more cohesive design with a single light strip connecting the taillights. Inside, the RX's top Luxury trim offered faux suede inserts and a large 14-inch infotainment touchscreen. However, the simulated woodgrain on the center console felt less convincing, and the genuine wood inlays on the steering wheel didn't match the plastic substitute. Despite these quirks, the cabin was covered in premium leather and well-grained plastics, providing a sturdy and comfortable environment.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue featured a new turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine with variable compression, producing 201 horsepower and 225 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), the Rogue offered front-wheel drive as standard, with optional all-wheel drive. The Rogue's performance was responsive in urban and suburban settings, though it lacked passing power on the highway. The CVT's simulated gear changes could feel dramatic, and the engine's unusual note and vibration might not appeal to all drivers. The EPA estimated a combined fuel economy of 31 mpg, but our test vehicle averaged 28.9 mpg.

The 2024 Lexus RX offered four distinct models, starting with the base RX 350, powered by a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine producing 275 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque. The RX 350h hybrid had a 2.5-liter engine with 246 horsepower and 233 pound-feet of torque, while the RX 500h F Sport Performance combined a turbo 2.4-liter engine with a hybrid powertrain for 366 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. The new RX 450h+ plug-in hybrid produced 304 horsepower and offered up to 37 miles of electric-only range. The RX 350 and RX 350h felt underpowered compared to rivals, but the RX 450h+ was more responsive, reaching 60 mph in 6.2 seconds. The RX's suspension was tuned for comfort, resulting in noticeable body roll and some residual rebounds, but it provided a smooth ride overall.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue was designed as a family-friendly compact SUV, offering easy entry and exit, better visibility, and a practical cargo area. The Platinum trim featured a triple-zone automatic climate control system, a dual-panel panoramic sunroof, and premium leather upholstery. The front seats were comfortable, thanks to Nissan's Zero Gravity design, but the rear seats were less so, with low-mounted cushions and diamond-shaped pleats. The Rogue offered up to 36.5 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 74.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. However, the remote keyless entry fob's design was frustratingly difficult to use in low light.

The 2024 Lexus RX provided ample room for larger occupants in the front seats, with standard heating and available ventilation. The Premium trim included a wireless charging pad, while the rear seats offered good legroom and headroom for average-sized adults. The RX had up to 29.6 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 46.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The load floor was slightly taller than competitors, requiring more effort for loading heavier items. All trims came with a power liftgate, with hands-free operation available as an option.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue used an older infotainment system with an 8-inch or 9-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth connectivity, satellite radio, wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, and a navigation system. The test vehicle had a 9-inch touchscreen, a wireless smartphone charging pad, and a Bose premium audio system. However, the Alexa Built-in system struggled with voice recognition, often providing incorrect or irrelevant results. The Rogue also featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a head-up display, both of which worked well.

The 2024 Lexus RX featured a new infotainment system with a 9.8-inch or 14-inch touchscreen, depending on the trim. The system had sharp graphics, quick responses, and natural speech commands. The steering wheel had multi-function pads for phone, music, and cruise control settings, with a diagram appearing in the head-up display to indicate button functions. The RX also came with a cloud-based navigation system, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and remote monitoring via a smartphone app, though connectivity issues were noted. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were wireless and operated smoothly. The available 21-speaker Mark Levinson surround sound system provided excellent audio quality.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue came with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including 10 airbags, a rear-seat reminder system, and Safety Shield 360, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, rear automatic braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. Higher trims offered ProPilot Assist with Navi-link, combining adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance. The Rogue earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though it received lower scores in some specific tests.

The 2024 Lexus RX earned five stars in overall and side collision protection from the NHTSA, with four stars in frontal and rollover tests. The FWD RX 350 received four stars for overall protection. The IIHS awarded the RX its highest score of "Good" in most crashworthiness evaluations, except for the new moderate frontal overlap test, where it was rated "Poor." Despite this, the RX was named a Top Safety Pick. The RX came standard with the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 suite, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and a rear passenger safe-exit system. Higher trims added parking sensors, a head-up display, and other advanced features.