Compare the2023 Nissan PathfinderVS 2022 Lexus RXL

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Pathfinder are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The RXL doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The Pathfinder Platinum has a standard front seat center airbag, which deploys between the driver and front passenger, protecting them from injuries caused by striking each other in serious side impacts. The RXL doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

Both the Pathfinder and the RXL have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Nissan Pathfinder is safer than the Lexus RXL:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

For its performance in IIHS driver-side and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, updated side impact, headlight, daytime pedestrian crash prevention, and nighttime pedestrian crash prevention testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Pathfinder its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2023, a rating granted to only 29 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The RXL last would have qualified as only a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2019.

There are over 4 times as many Nissan dealers as there are Lexus dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Pathfinder’s warranty.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Pathfinder has a standard 760-amp battery. The RXL’s 580-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

As tested in Motor Trend the Nissan Pathfinder (base engine) is faster than the RX 350L 3.5 DOHC V6:

On the EPA test cycle the Pathfinder gets better mileage than the RXL:

Regardless of its engine, the Pathfinder’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. Lexus only offers an automatic engine start/stop system on the RXL Hybrid.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Nissan Pathfinder uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended on Pathfinder Rock Creek for maximum performance). The RX 450hL requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The Pathfinder has 1.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the RXL Hybrid’s standard fuel tank (18.5 vs. 17.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Pathfinder has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The RXL doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Nissan Pathfinder, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the RXL.

For better stopping power the Pathfinder’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the RXL:

The Pathfinder stops shorter than the RXL:

For better traction, the Pathfinder has larger tires than the RXL (255/60R18 vs. 235/65R18).

The Pathfinder’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the RXL’s standard 65 series tires. The Pathfinder’s optional tires have a lower 50 series profile than the RXL’s optional 55 series tires.

The Pathfinder has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The RXL doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Pathfinder’s wheelbase is 4.4 inches longer than on the RXL (114.2 inches vs. 109.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Pathfinder is 2.4 inches wider in the front and 2.8 inches wider in the rear than the track on the RXL.

The Pathfinder Platinum handles at .76 G’s, while the RX 350L AWD pulls only .75 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Pathfinder has standard seating for 8 passengers; the RXL can only carry 7.

The Pathfinder has 31 cubic feet more passenger volume than the RXL (148 vs. 117).

The Pathfinder has 2.5 inches more front headroom, 2.9 inches more front legroom, 2.5 inches more front hip room, 2.5 inches more front shoulder room, 1.1 inches more rear headroom, 4.6 inches more rear legroom, .5 inches more rear hip room, 1.8 inches more rear shoulder room, 3 inches more third row headroom, 4.5 inches more third row legroom, 2.9 inches more third row hip room and 12.7 inches more third row shoulder room than the RXL.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Pathfinder’s middle and third row seats recline. The RXL’s third row seats don’t recline.

The Pathfinder’s cargo area provides more volume than the RXL.

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Pathfinder easier. The Pathfinder’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 30.5 inches, while the RXL’s liftover is 31.9 inches.

The Pathfinder’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the RXL’s (3500 vs. 0 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Lexus RXL is only 3500 pounds. The Pathfinder offers up to a 6000 lbs. towing capacity.

A Trailer Sway Control is standard on the Pathfinder, using the Vehicle Dynamic Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. A trailer sway program costs extra on the RXL.

The Pathfinder’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The RXL’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

Insurance will cost less for the Pathfinder owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Pathfinder will cost $1330 less than the RXL over a five-year period.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Nissan Pathfinder will be $991 to $6836 less than for the Lexus RXL.