2023 Nissan Rogue vs 2024 Lexus TX

The 2023 Nissan Rogue was a testament to the brand's commitment to maintaining a balance between ruggedness and style. Its design was characterized by 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 its appeal in the compact SUV segment.

In contrast, the 2024 Lexus TX was based on the Toyota Grand Highlander but distinguished itself as a luxury SUV. The TX's styling was more conservative compared to other Lexus models, which might have appealed to those previously put off by the brand's design. The TX 350 Executive package, with its 22-inch wheels, added to the SUV's upscale appearance. Despite its toned-down styling, the TX managed to maintain a luxurious feel, making it a compelling choice for those seeking a refined yet understated vehicle.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue featured a turbocharged 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine with a variable compression design, producing 201 horsepower and 225 lb-ft of torque. This engine, paired with a CVT, offered a responsive driving experience in urban settings, though it lacked highway passing power. The Rogue's fuel economy was slightly below expectations, averaging 8.1 L/100 km during testing. The SUV's ride quality was enhanced by Intelligent Trace Control and Active Ride Control, though the steering felt lifeless, and the tires provided modest grip.

The 2024 Lexus TX 350 was equipped with a turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 275 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque. It accelerated to 100 km/h in about eight seconds, offering adequate performance for typical driving situations. The TX's fuel economy was rated at 10.3 L/100 km, but it averaged 13.8 L/100 km during testing. The SUV's suspension provided a comfortable ride, with commendable body motion control and accurate steering. However, the brake pedal felt too soft, though it was easy to modulate for smooth stops.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue served as a practical replacement for a traditional family car, offering ample space for four adults and a fifth passenger when needed. The Platinum trim featured premium leather upholstery, heated front seats, and a panoramic sunroof. The Rogue's rear doors opened to nearly 90 degrees, facilitating easy access, though the rear seat comfort was lacking. The SUV offered up to 2,064 litres of cargo space with the rear seats folded, and the Divide-N-Hide feature allowed for versatile cargo configurations.

The 2024 Lexus TX addressed previous shortcomings in Lexus's three-row SUVs by providing a habitable third-row seat suitable for adults. The TX 350 test unit featured premium leather and artificial suede upholstery, with heated and ventilated front seats. The second-row seat offered triple-zone climate control and USB charging ports, though legroom was limited. The TX provided 572 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 2,746 litres with the second and third rows folded, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue's infotainment system featured a 9-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, satellite radio, and wireless Apple CarPlay. The system included a navigation function and a Bose premium audio system. However, the voice recognition technology was limited, struggling with requests outside of basic commands. The Rogue also offered a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a head-up display, though the latter was not tested with polarized sunglasses.

The 2024 Lexus TX boasted a 14-inch touchscreen with the Lexus Interface infotainment system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system included a digital assistant with natural voice recognition, though a Drive Connect subscription was required. The TX featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a surround-view camera. However, the head-up display's unmarked steering wheel controls were a source of frustration, especially for those wearing polarized sunglasses. The optional Mark Levinson audio system provided impressive sound quality.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue came equipped with Safety Shield 360, which included features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. Higher trims offered ProPilot Assist with Navi-link, combining adaptive cruise control with lane-centring 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 specific crash tests.

The 2024 Lexus TX featured the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, which included adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. The TX also offered Proactive Drive Assist, though it was not entirely transparent in operation. Additional safety features included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The traffic jam assist system provided hands-free driving at low speeds, though the TX lacked a higher-speed hands-free system.