2022 BMW X3 vs 2023 Nissan Rogue

The 2022 BMW X3 was available in four variants: sDrive30i, xDrive30i, M40i, and M, with the sDrive30i being the only rear-wheel-drive model. The exterior design saw a slight revision, presenting a more aggressive stance with a larger kidney grille and a black sensor bar positioned between the grilles. The headlights were adaptive full LEDs, slimmer by 0.4 inches, and the taillights featured a new design with a black surround and pincer claw-shaped brake light LEDs. The rear also had larger redesigned exhaust tips and a new bumper. The X3 offered nine exterior finishes, including new metallic colors Brooklyn Grey and Tanzanite Blue II, and came standard with 19-inch gray aluminum-alloy wheels.

Inside, the 2022 X3 featured a clean and efficient design with dark oak wood trim, an anthracite headliner, and eight-way power-adjustable front Sport seats. The interior offered SensaTec synthetic leather upholstery, with an option for premium Vernasca leather. A panoramic moonroof was standard on the X3 M40i and available for other models. The X3's interior color choices varied by material and model, and ambient lighting with 11 color combinations was available. The redesigned center console included a larger infotainment system and improved ergonomics.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue lineup included S, SV, SL, and Platinum trim levels, with prices ranging from $27,360 to $37,140, plus a $1,295 destination charge. The SV, SL, and Platinum trims offered optional Premium packages, while the new Midnight Edition package was exclusive to the SV trim. The Platinum trim, which we tested, came with AWD, two-tone paint, a frameless rearview mirror, and various interior and exterior upgrades, bringing the MSRP to $43,100.

The Platinum trim offered upscale features such as soft, diamond-pattern leather seats and high-quality materials. The Rogue's design was appealing, with proper proportions and chiseled styling. The interior featured a triple-zone automatic climate control system, a dual-panel panoramic sunroof, and power-adjustable front seats with premium leather upholstery. The Rogue's controls and layout were simple and straightforward, though the remote keyless entry fob design was frustrating. The rear seats were roomy but lacked comfort, and the cargo area offered up to 74.1 cubic feet of space with the seats folded down.

The 2022 BMW X3 featured an eight-speed automatic transmission with steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters. The sDrive30i and xDrive30i models were powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 248 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, with a 0-60 mph time of 6 seconds. The sDrive30i had an EPA-rated fuel economy of 23 mpg city, 29 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined, while the xDrive30i offered 21 mpg city, 28 mpg highway, and 24 mpg combined.

The X3 M40i came with a 3.0-liter turbocharged six-cylinder engine and a new mild-hybrid system, producing 382 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, with a 0-60 mph time of 4.4 seconds. The M40i had an EPA-rated fuel economy of 21 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined. The mild-hybrid system offered smoother start/stop operation and an additional 11 horsepower during acceleration. The M40i also featured a flap-controlled sports exhaust system, sport brakes, an adaptive suspension, and an AWD system with a rear-oriented torque split.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue replaced its previous 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with a new turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine featuring variable compression design. The VC-Turbo engine produced 201 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 225 pound-feet of torque from 2,800 to 4,000 rpm. The engine was paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) and offered Eco, Auto, and Sport driving modes, with AWD versions adding Off-Road and Snow modes.

The new VC-Turbo powertrain provided responsive performance in urban and suburban driving situations, though it lacked passing power on the highway. The engine's character included an unusual note and some vibration through the accelerator pedal. The EPA-rated fuel economy for the test vehicle was 31 mpg combined, but it averaged 28.9 mpg during testing. The Rogue's suspension design and brake-induced ride quality enhancements provided a good balance of ride compliance and body control, though the steering felt lifeless.

The 2022 BMW X3 offered seating for five and ample storage space. The rear seats featured a 40/20/40-split, providing enough cargo room for backpacks and additional carry-on suitcases. The SensaTec faux-leather seats were comfortable, with the upgraded Vernasca leather adding more softness. The X3's sport seats were supportive, though the thigh-support cushion's control handle could be an issue for some drivers. The redesigned center console included a larger infotainment system and improved ergonomics, with push-button and rocker-style controls for climate and audio functions.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue served as a replacement for the traditional family car, offering easy entry and exit, better visibility, and a larger cargo area. The Platinum trim featured a triple-zone automatic climate control system, a dual-panel panoramic sunroof, and power-adjustable front seats with premium leather upholstery. The Rogue's rear doors opened to a nearly 90-degree angle, making it easier to load and unload passengers. The rear seats were roomy but lacked comfort, and the cargo area offered up to 74.1 cubic feet of space with the seats folded down. The Rogue's controls and layout were simple and straightforward, though the remote keyless entry fob design was frustrating.

The 2022 BMW X3 came standard with BMW Live Cockpit Plus with iDrive 7 telematics, featuring a 5.1-inch color display instrument panel and a 10.25-inch infotainment screen. The system included navigation, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility, Amazon Alexa integration, two USB ports, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and various connected digital features. An optional Live Cockpit Professional enlarged both screens to 12.3 inches and provided a fully-digital experience. The X3 also offered a 12-speaker 205-watt HiFi sound system, with an optional Harman Kardon surround sound system for M40i models. Other tech options included a Convenience Package and a Premium Package, adding features such as a panoramic sunroof, heated seats, and a head-up display.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue used an older version of Nissan’s infotainment system, with a standard 8-inch or available 9-inch touchscreen display. The test vehicle had the larger 9-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth connectivity, satellite radio, wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, NissanConnect services, and a navigation system. It also featured a wireless smartphone charging pad and a Bose premium audio system. The Rogue Platinum included a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a head-up display. However, the voice recognition technology struggled with certain requests, and the Alexa Built-in system was not fully functional during testing.

The 2022 BMW X3 received a five-star crash safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). It included standard safety features such as adaptive LED headlights, a rearview camera, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, active blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and forward-collision warning with pedestrian/cyclist detection. The available Parking Assistance Package added parking assistance plus, active park distance control, and a 360-degree surround camera view. The Driving Assistant Professional Package included traffic jam assistance, back-up assistant, front cross-traffic alert, and active lane-keep assist with lane centering and side collision avoidance.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue came with standard safety features, including 10 airbags, a rear-seat reminder system, and Safety Shield 360, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, rear automatic braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. Higher trim levels offered ProPilot Assist with Navi-link, combining adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance. The Rogue earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.