2024 Toyota RAV4 vs 2023 Nissan Pathfinder

The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder carried over its design from the 2022 model year, maintaining its modern yet traditional aesthetic. Its futuristic headlights and angular C-pillar gave it a forward-thinking look that was expected to remain relevant for years. Inside, the Pathfinder offered a clean and sensible layout, making it both visually appealing and practical for everyday use. The trims ranged from the basic S to the luxurious Platinum, with each level adding more features and comfort. The Rock Creek trim stood out with its rugged design, off-road capabilities, and water-repellent interior, making it ideal for adventurous drivers.

The 2024 Toyota RAV4 aimed to project a tough exterior with its aggressive styling, including angular body cladding and dual exhaust outlets. The TRD Off-Road model, which topped the lineup, featured off-road suspension and all-terrain tires, enhancing its rugged appeal. The interior focused on practicality, with storage solutions and rubberized controls. The TRD Off-Road trim included SofTex upholstery and optional features like heated seats and a heated steering wheel. The RAV4's cabin was designed for comfort and utility, accommodating up to five passengers and offering a competitive cargo space.

The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder was equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 284 horsepower and 259 pound-feet of torque. The Rock Creek variant offered a slight power boost, delivering 295 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque. Power was managed by a 9-speed automatic transmission, with options for front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The Rock Creek trim featured off-road enhancements, including a taller suspension and all-terrain tires, which improved trail performance but resulted in a rougher ride on paved roads. The Pathfinder's engine provided ample power for city and highway driving, though the unique shifter design required some getting used to. The vehicle offered various drive modes, including Eco, Sport, and All-Terrain, and had a maximum towing capacity of 6,000 pounds in the Rock Creek trim.

The 2024 Toyota RAV4 was powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, generating 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission drove the front wheels, with an optional torque-vectoring all-wheel drive system available. The TRD Off-Road model came standard with AWD, off-road suspension, and all-terrain tires. Despite its off-road enhancements, the TRD Off-Road shared the same ground clearance as other RAV4 models and did not offer improved approach or departure angles. The RAV4's engine required high revs to access maximum power, and while it was noisy, the eight-speed automatic transmission was smooth and reliable. The TRD Off-Road model achieved an EPA fuel economy rating of 28 mpg combined, with real-world testing averaging 26.6 mpg.

The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder offered up to 80.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the second and third rows folded flat. With the second row in use, it provided 45 cubic feet, and with all seats upright, 16.6 cubic feet of cargo space. The first two rows offered ample headroom and legroom, while the third row was suitable for short trips. The optional second-row captain’s chairs facilitated access to the third row. The Pathfinder featured 12 cupholders and four bottle holders, along with numerous storage compartments. The Rock Creek trim included a robust roof rack capable of holding up to 220 pounds, though its proximity to the roof made snow removal challenging.

The 2024 Toyota RAV4 emphasized practicality with its interior design, featuring storage shelves, trays, and oversized control knobs. The TRD Off-Road trim included SofTex upholstery and an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat. Optional features like heated and ventilated seats and a heated steering wheel were available. The RAV4 comfortably seated four adults, with the rear seat offering good legroom and footroom. The cargo area provided 37.6 cubic feet of space, expanding to 69.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, making it competitive in its segment.

The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, supporting Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims featured a 9-inch touchscreen. While the system was user-friendly, some found the graphics dated. The Pathfinder included four USB ports, Bluetooth connectivity, satellite radio, and voice recognition. The SV trim added a Wi-Fi hotspot, while the SL trim offered wireless Apple CarPlay and additional USB ports. The Platinum trim included even more connectivity options, ensuring that tech needs were met, albeit not with the latest innovations.

The 2024 Toyota RAV4 featured the Toyota Audio Multimedia system, with a standard 8-inch and optional 10.5-inch touchscreen. It supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, and various connected services. Service Connect and Safety Connect were free for ten years, while Remote Connect and Drive Connect were complimentary for one year. The system included a cloud-based navigation system and a digital voice assistant. While sophisticated, the infotainment system had some usability issues, such as the lack of a multi-panel Home screen and difficulty exiting Apple CarPlay. The RAV4 offered a JBL premium audio system and an optional digital rear-view mirror.

The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder came with a comprehensive suite of driver assistance features, including forward and reverse automatic emergency braking, collision warning, pedestrian detection, and blind-spot monitoring. The SV trim added ProPilot Assist, which included lane centering and adaptive cruise control. The SL trim offered front parking sensors and a 360-degree parking monitor, while the Platinum trim added rain-sensing wipers and a head-up display. The Pathfinder's off-road mode provided front- and side-view cameras for obstacle monitoring.

The 2024 Toyota RAV4 was equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, a suite of advanced driver-assistance systems. However, the base LE trim lacked blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. The adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist systems performed adequately on straight highways but struggled on curvy roads. The RAV4's safety features worked well overall, though it lost its Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS due to lower ratings in recent crash tests. The aging design and engineering of the RAV4 contributed to these results.