2023 Nissan Pathfinder vs 2022 Lexus GX

The 2022 Lexus GX 460 Black Line Special Edition was a striking vehicle, especially in its Black Onyx color. This model eradicated almost all chrome from the exterior, transforming the SUV into a sleek, dark presence on the road. However, it took less than a day for a layer of dust to make the Lexus look old and shabby. Despite its modern touches like the signature spindle grille and triple-beam LED headlights, the GX's design felt dated, reminiscent of its first-generation predecessor from 2002. Inside, the cabin quality was top-notch, with smooth, refined materials and a quiet atmosphere, save for the faint roar of the V8 engine.

In contrast, the 2023 Nissan Pathfinder, redesigned for 2022, carried over with minimal changes except for the new Rock Creek trim. The Pathfinder's design bridged traditional elements with forward-thinking aesthetics, ensuring it would remain relevant for years. The interior boasted clean lines and a sensible layout, making it both visually appealing and practical. The Pathfinder's modern design extended to its cabin, which was easy to live with and featured plenty of headroom and legroom, even in the third row for shorter trips.

The 2022 Lexus GX 460 featured a 4.6-liter V8 engine producing 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque at 3,500 rpm. This powertrain, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and a full-time 4WD system, allowed the GX to tow up to 6,500 pounds. However, its 5,126-pound curb weight and high drag coefficient of 0.35 resulted in a combined fuel economy of just 16 mpg. The GX's Kinetic Dynamics Suspension System (KDSS) helped improve stability and off-road capability, but the slow, heavy steering and touchy brake pedal detracted from the overall driving experience.

The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder, powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivered 284 horsepower and 259 pound-feet of torque. The Rock Creek trim offered a slight boost to 295 hp and 270 lb-ft. The Pathfinder's 9-speed automatic transmission provided smooth and quiet performance, though the new shifter design was less intuitive. The Rock Creek trim featured off-road suspension and all-terrain tires, enhancing its trail capabilities but making for a rougher ride on paved roads. The Pathfinder's rotary drive mode dial offered various settings, including an All-Terrain mode in the Rock Creek, and a maximum towing capacity of 6,000 pounds with the right equipment.

The 2022 Lexus GX offered an elevated driving position and clear visibility from its 10-way power-adjustable seat. Its tall, narrow, and short design made it easy to maneuver in various environments, though the slow steering required extra effort. The Black Line Special Edition featured comfortable seats with NuLuxe upholstery, black ash wood trim, and a black headliner. However, the rear seat access was tricky, and the third-row seat was cramped and difficult to reach. The GX's cargo space was limited, with just 11.6 cubic feet behind the third row and 64.7 cubic feet with all seats folded, hindered by a side-swinging tailgate.

The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder provided up to 80.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the second and third rows folded flat. With the second row in use, it offered 45 cubic feet, and 16.6 cubic feet with all seats upright. The first two rows provided 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 also featured numerous cupholders and storage compartments, and the Rock Creek trim's roof rack could hold up to 220 pounds, though it made snow removal challenging.

The 2022 Lexus GX 460 featured a new 10.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and navigation. The system was easy to see and use, though the old Remote Touch Interface touchpad remained. The GX also included a CD player, a smartwatch-compatible Lexus app, and Lexus Enform connected services with a WiFi hotspot. However, the stereo controls were awkwardly placed below the off-roading controls, making them harder to use. The voice recognition technology was excellent, and the dual-screen view was a useful feature.

The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with a 9-inch version available on higher trims. Both systems were user-friendly, though some might find the graphics dated. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, satellite radio, and voice recognition. Higher trims added a WiFi hotspot, wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless device charging, and additional USB ports. While not the most cutting-edge, the Pathfinder's tech offerings were practical and kept devices charged and connected.

The 2022 Lexus GX, despite its age, came with Lexus Safety System+, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. It also featured blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safety Connect services with automatic collision notification and emergency calling. However, it lacked more advanced safety technologies found in competitors, such as lane-keeping assist and semi-autonomous driving systems.

The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder offered a comprehensive suite of standard driver assistance features, including forward and reverse automatic emergency braking, collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic high beams, rear parking sensors, driver attention monitoring, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Higher trims added ProPilot Assist with lane centering and adaptive cruise control, front parking sensors, a 360-degree parking monitor, traffic-sign recognition, rain-sensing wipers, and a head-up display. The Rock Creek trim also featured front- and side-view cameras for off-road monitoring.