2024 Lexus RX vs 2023 Nissan Rogue

The 2023 Nissan Rogue was a testament to the brand's commitment to maintaining a balance between ruggedness and style. Its design featured proper proportions and chiseled styling, which gave it a rugged yet appealing look. This was crucial, as aesthetics play a significant role in consumer decisions. The Rogue's lineup included various trims, with the Platinum trim offering upscale features like diamond-pattern leather seats and soft-touch materials, enhancing the overall quality feel of the vehicle.

In contrast, the 2024 Lexus RX presented a more polarizing design. The oversized trapezoidal grille and bulky hood gave it a distinctive, albeit awkward, front-end appearance. The side profile added visual heft, while the rear design was more cohesive. Inside, the RX offered a conventional layout with premium materials, including faux suede inserts and a large infotainment touchscreen. However, some elements, like the simulated woodgrain, fell short of expectations. Despite these design quirks, the RX's interior was comfortable and well-appointed.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue featured a turbocharged 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine with 201 horsepower and 225 lb-ft of torque. This engine, paired with a CVT, provided a responsive driving experience in urban settings, though it lacked highway passing power. The Rogue offered various driving modes, including Eco, Auto, and Sport, with additional Off-Road and Snow modes for AWD versions. Despite some engine noise and vibration, the Rogue's ride quality was generally smooth, thanks to its suspension design and cornering enhancements.

The 2024 Lexus RX offered a range of powertrains, starting with the RX 350's 2.4-litre turbocharged engine producing 275 horsepower. The RX 350h hybrid and RX 500h F Sport Performance models provided additional power and efficiency options. The RX 450h+ plug-in hybrid delivered 304 horsepower and an estimated 60 km of electric range. While the RX 350 and RX 350h felt underpowered, the RX 450h+ offered better acceleration. The RX prioritized comfort over sporty handling, with a soft suspension that smoothed out road imperfections but resulted in noticeable body roll during cornering.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue excelled as a family-friendly compact SUV, offering ample space for passengers and cargo. The Platinum trim featured premium leather upholstery, heated front seats, and a panoramic sunroof. The rear seats, while roomy, lacked comfort due to low-mounted cushions. The Rogue's cargo area provided up to 1,028 litres of space, expandable to 2,064 litres with the rear seats folded. However, the key fob design was a notable inconvenience.

The 2024 Lexus RX provided spacious front seats with standard heating and ventilation. The rear seats offered good legroom and visibility, with standard rear climate controls and USB ports. The RX's cargo space was slightly smaller, with 838 litres behind the rear seats and 1,308 litres with the seats folded. The load floor was higher than competitors, requiring more effort for loading. Despite this, the RX's interior was well-equipped with storage options and convenience features.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue's infotainment system featured a 9-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, satellite radio, and smartphone integration. While the system offered a range of features, its voice recognition struggled with accuracy. The Rogue also included a 12.3-inch digital display and a head-up display, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2024 Lexus RX benefited from a redesigned infotainment system with a 9.8-inch or 14-inch touchscreen, depending on the trim. The system was user-friendly, with natural speech commands and wireless smartphone integration. The RX also offered a cloud-based navigation system, though connectivity issues were noted. The available 21-speaker Mark Levinson audio system provided excellent sound quality.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue came equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including 10 airbags, Safety Shield 360, and ProPilot Assist with Navi-link. It earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though it received lower scores in specific crash tests.

The 2024 Lexus RX also offered a robust set of safety features with the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0. It received a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. However, it was rated "Poor" in the new moderate frontal overlap test. The RX's safety features were effective, though some were overly sensitive.