Compare the2024 Lexus TXVS 2024 Nissan Pathfinder

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics

Safety

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The TX has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Pathfinder doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Both the TX and Pathfinder have rear cross-traffic warning, but the TX Premium/Luxury has Parking Support Brake (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Pathfinder’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the TX and the Pathfinder have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver 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.

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Lexus TX is safer than the Pathfinder:

	TX	Pathfinder
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Structure	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	38	125
Neck Tension	134 lbs.	268 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	GOOD
Shoulder Deflection	.35 in	.63 in
Torso Deflection Rate	4 MPH	5 MPH
Pelvis	ACCEPTABLE	MARGINAL
Pelvis Force	1049 lbs.	1160 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Neck Tension	67 lbs.	89 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	GOOD
Pelvis	GOOD	GOOD
Pelvis Force	446 lbs.	580 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

Warranty

The TX comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Pathfinder’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

Lexus’ powertrain warranty covers the TX 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Nissan covers the Pathfinder. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the Pathfinder ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The TX’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the Pathfinder’s (6 vs. 5 years).

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are better in initial quality than Nissan vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus above average in initial quality. With 9 more problems per 100 vehicles, Nissan is rated lower.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus above average in long-term dependability. With 33 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Nissan is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Lexus first in overall reliability. Nissan is ranked 17th.

Engine

The TX has more powerful engines than the Pathfinder:

	Horsepower	Torque
TX 350 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder	275 HP	317 lbs.-ft.
TX 500h 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid	366 HP	406 lbs.-ft.
TX 550h+ 3.5 DOHC V6 hybrid	404 HP
Pathfinder 3.5 DOHC V6	284 HP	259 lbs.-ft.
Pathfinder Rock Creek 3.5 DOHC V6	295 HP	270 lbs.-ft.

As tested in Car and Driver the TX 500h 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid is faster than the Nissan Pathfinder (base engine):

	TX	Pathfinder
Zero to 60 MPH	5.7 sec	6.7 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	16.2 sec	17.7 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	6.3 sec	7.1 sec
Passing 30 to 50 MPH	2.7 sec	3.5 sec
Passing 50 to 70 MPH	4 sec	4.8 sec
Quarter Mile	14.5 sec	15.3 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	95 MPH	94 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the TX running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the Pathfinder:

			MPG
TX
	FWD	2.4 turbo 4-cyl.	21 city/27 hwy
	AWD	2.4 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	27 city/28 hwy
		2.4 turbo 4-cyl.	20 city/26 hwy
Pathfinder
	FWD	3.5 DOHC V6	20 city/27 hwy
	AWD	3.5 DOHC V6	21 city/27 hwy
		Platinum 3.5 DOHC V6	20 city/25 hwy
		3.5 DOHC V6	20 city/23 hwy

The TX 550h+ CVT can travel with zero emissions for 33 miles. The Pathfinder can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

Regenerative brakes improve the TX 500h/550h+’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Pathfinder doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The TX has a standard locking fuel door with a power remote release convenient to the driver. The fuel filler door is not lockable on the Pathfinder. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Lexus TX higher (7 out of 10) than the Nissan Pathfinder (5). This means the TX produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Pathfinder every 15,000 miles.

Transmission

The TX 550h+ has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Pathfinder doesn’t offer a CVT.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the TX 500h/550h+’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Pathfinder:

	TX 500h/550h+	Pathfinder
Front Rotors	15.7 inches	13.8 inches
Rear Rotors	13.3 inches	13 inches

The TX stops shorter than the Pathfinder:

	TX	Pathfinder
70 to 0 MPH	174 feet	179 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	121 feet	130 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

The TX’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Pathfinder’s standard 60 series tires. The TX’s optional tires have a lower 45 series profile than the Pathfinder’s optional 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the TX has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Pathfinder. The TX’s optional 22-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels optional on the Pathfinder.

Suspension and Handling

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the TX’s wheelbase is 1.9 inches longer than on the Pathfinder (116.1 inches vs. 114.2 inches).

The TX 500h F Sport Performance Luxury 4dr Sport Utility handles at .85 G’s, while the Pathfinder SL pulls only .80 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The TX 500h F Sport Performance Premium 4dr Sport Utility executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1 seconds quicker than the Pathfinder Platinum (27.4 seconds @ .64 average G’s vs. 28.4 seconds @ .59 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the TX’s turning circle is .7 feet tighter than the Pathfinder’s (38 feet vs. 38.7 feet).

For greater off-road capability the TX 550h+ Luxury 4dr Sport Utility has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Pathfinder (7.7 vs. 7.1 inches), allowing the TX to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The TX 500h F Sport Performance Premium 4dr Sport Utility’s minimum ground clearance is .3 inch higher than on the Pathfinder Rock Creek (8 vs. 7.7 inches).

Chassis

The TX F Sport uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Pathfinder doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

Passenger Space

The TX has 5 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Pathfinder (153 vs. 148).

The TX has .5 inches more rear headroom, 4 inches more rear legroom, .5 inches more rear hip room and 5.5 inches more third row legroom than the Pathfinder.

Cargo Capacity

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

	TX	Pathfinder
Behind Third Seat	20.2 cubic feet	16.6 cubic feet
Third Seat Folded	57.4 cubic feet	45 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	97 cubic feet	80.5 cubic feet

Pressing a switch automatically lowers or raises the TX Premium/Luxury’s third row seats, to make changing between cargo and passengers easier. The Pathfinder doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

Towing

The TX’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Pathfinder’s (5000 vs. 3500 pounds).

Servicing Ease

The TX uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Pathfinder uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Lexus service is better than Nissan. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in service department satisfaction. With a 48% lower rating, Nissan is ranked 18th.

Ergonomics

The TX’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Pathfinder does not have an oil pressure gauge.

If the windows are left open on the TX the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. (This window function must be activated by your Lexus service department.) The driver of the Pathfinder can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The TX’s standard Smart Access allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the vehicle, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Intelligent Key standard on the Pathfinder doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door. Intelligent Key is not available on the Pathfinder SL/Platinum.

The TX’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Pathfinder’s standard intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The TX Luxury/F Sport has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The Pathfinder doesn’t offer headlight washers.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the TX Luxury/F Sport has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Pathfinder doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The TX’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Nissan only offers heated mirrors on the Pathfinder SV/Rock Creek/SL/Platinum.

The TX’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Pathfinder offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The TX Premium/Luxury has standard front air conditioned seats and the TX offers them optionally in the second row. This keeps the passengers comfortable and takes the sting out of hot seats in summer. The Pathfinder doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats for the second row.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Lexus TX has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the Pathfinder SL/Platinum offers wireless charging.

The TX Premium/Luxury/F Sport’s optional Advanced Park can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Park will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The Pathfinder doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

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