2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid vs 2023 Nissan Pathfinder

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid borrowed styling cues from Toyota's Tacoma pickup, featuring a trapezoidal grille and upright fascia that gave it a rugged appearance. However, the design introduced some softness with a character line swooping over the rear wheel arch, which added unnecessary visual weight. The rear echoed the trapezoidal grille, but the overall design felt disjointed compared to more cohesive competitors like the Kia Telluride and Honda Pilot. Inside, the Highlander Hybrid's asymmetrical dash was interrupted by a metallic styling element, creating a helpful storage tray. The infotainment touchscreen was mounted high, reducing driver distraction. The Bronze Edition featured 18-inch bronze alloy wheels and light grey fabric upholstery, which attracted dirt and stains, raising durability concerns. Other trims offered more conventional materials, with genuine leather available only on top trims.

The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder carried over its redesign from 2022, featuring futuristic headlights and an angular C-pillar that blended traditional and forward-thinking design. This modern aesthetic extended into the cabin, which boasted clean lines and a sensible layout. The Pathfinder's trims included S, SV, Rock Creek, SL, SL Premium, and Platinum, each offering varying levels of equipment. The Rock Creek trim added off-road capability with a tuned suspension and all-terrain tires, while the SL trim introduced Nissan's ProPILOT Assist semi-autonomous driving system. The Platinum trim offered second-row captain's chairs, rain-sensing wipers, and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. Overall, the Pathfinder's design and features aimed to keep it relevant for years to come.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid was powered by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine and hybrid system, producing 243 horsepower. It featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and standard all-wheel drive (AWD) in Canada. The hybrid powertrain provided a quick but tepid response from a standstill, with the gasoline engine supplying more power as speed built. The CVT's uninspired drone was noticeable when ascending hills. Braking was traditional, with regenerative braking seamlessly transitioning to physical brakes. The ride quality was soft, with the suspension smoothing over bumps, and the cabin remained mostly free of wind and road noise on the highway.

The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder was equipped with a 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivering 284 horsepower and 259 pound-feet of torque. The Rock Creek trim offered a slight power bump to 295 hp and 270 lb-ft. Power was routed through a nine-speed automatic transmission to standard AWD. The Pathfinder's off-road tires provided a rougher ride on roads but improved comfort on trails. The engine was smooth and quiet, but the new shifter design was unintuitive. The Pathfinder featured a rotary drive mode dial with various modes, including an All-Terrain mode in the Rock Creek. The standard towing capacity was 1,587 kilograms, with the Rock Creek capable of towing up to 2,720 kilograms.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid offered well-cushioned front seats with plenty of adjustments, though the driver's door armrest was awkwardly positioned. Storage options included a deep tray under the infotainment screen, a small shelf, and a large centre armrest bin. The second-row seats were spacious, with captain's chairs that slid and reclined for versatility. The third row was less accommodating, suitable for occasional use by children. Cargo space was 453 litres behind the third row, expanding to 1,370 litres with the seatbacks folded, and 2,387 litres with the second row stowed.

The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder provided up to 2,279 litres of cargo space with the second and third rows folded. With the second row in use, it offered 1,274 litres, and 470 litres with all seats upright. The first two rows provided ample headroom and legroom, while the third row accommodated adults for shorter trips. The Platinum trim featured second-row captain's chairs with a removable centre console. The Pathfinder had 12 cupholders and four bottle holders, along with plenty of cubbies and compartments. The Rock Creek's roof racks could hold up to 100 kilograms, though snow removal was tricky due to their proximity to the roof.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid featured an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, with a 12.3-inch option available on top trims. The system was quick to respond, with logical menus and physical shortcut buttons. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with wireless charging on Limited and Platinum trims. Navigation and an 11-speaker JBL audio system were also available on higher trims.

The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with a 9-inch option on higher trims. The system was easy to use, though some found the graphics dated. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, satellite radio, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The SL trim added wireless charging and additional USB ports. While not cutting-edge, the Pathfinder's tech kept devices charged and connected.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The systems generally worked well but could use fine-tuning.

The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder was also rated a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS. Standard safety features included forward and reverse automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and ProPilot Assist. The SL trim added traffic-sign recognition, while the Platinum trim included rain-sensing wipers. The Pathfinder's safety features were comprehensive and effective.