Compare the2025 Nissan PathfinderVS 2024 Lexus TX

The Nissan Pathfinder has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The TX doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

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 TX doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

Both the Pathfinder and the TX 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.

A significantly tougher test than their original offset frontal crash test, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH small overlap frontal offset crash tests. In this test, where only 25% of the total width of the vehicle is struck, results indicate that the Nissan Pathfinder is safer than the TX:

The Nissan Pathfinder has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2024 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The TX is not even a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2024.

Nissan pays for scheduled maintenance (up to 3 visits) on the Pathfinder for 1 year and 14,000 miles longer than Lexus pays for maintenance for the TX (2/24,000 vs. 1/10,000).

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.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Nissan vehicles are better in initial quality than Lexus vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Nissan above average in initial quality. With 8 more problems per 100 vehicles, Lexus is rated lower.

As tested in Motor Trend the Nissan Pathfinder (base engine) is faster than the TX 350 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder:

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

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 TX requires premium, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The Pathfinder has 4 gallons more fuel capacity than the TX 550h+’s standard fuel tank (18.5 vs. 14.5 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 TX 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 TX.

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

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 TX doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

The Pathfinder is 5.4 inches shorter than the TX, making the Pathfinder easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Pathfinder has standard seating for 8 passengers; the TX can only carry up to 7.

The Pathfinder has .9 inches more front headroom, 2.7 inches more front legroom, 1.8 inches more front hip room, .8 inches more front shoulder room, .6 inches more rear shoulder room, .6 inches more third row headroom, 1 inch more third row hip room and 1 inch more third row shoulder room than the TX.

Maximum trailer towing in the Lexus TX is limited to 5000 pounds. The Pathfinder offers up to a 6000 lbs. towing capacity.

The Nissan Pathfinder outsold the Lexus TX by almost 9 to one during 2023.