2023 Nissan Rogue vs 2022 Cadillac XT5

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 was a unique blend of Cyberpunk angularity paired with traditional touches. Its styling fell somewhere between the edgy design of the Lexus NX and the more classic looks of the Audi Q5, BMW X3, and Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class. Cadillac’s trademark design cues, such as a bold grille, distinctive daytime running lights, and vertical taillights, were present, giving the XT5 an unmistakable Cadillac identity. However, this mixture of classic elements combined with the XT5’s compact footprint and tall profile resulted in a somewhat ungainly appearance.

Cadillac differentiated the Premium Luxury and Sport models with unique styling cues. The Premium Luxury model featured bright chrome accents, aligning it more closely with traditional Cadillac aesthetics, while the Sport variant used darker trim and a mesh grille, invoking a performance-oriented feel. The Luxury and Premium Luxury models came with standard 18-inch alloy wheels, whereas the Sport model sported 20-inch wheels. Cadillac also offered Onyx and Radiant styling packages, providing options for different chrome finishes and 20-inch wheels.

The interior of our test XT5 felt appropriately luxurious, though much of this feeling came from the optional Platinum Package. This package, available for both Premium Luxury and Sport models, enhanced the interior with semi-aniline leather upholstery, a leather-wrapped instrument panel, door trim, a microfiber sueded headliner, and a heated steering wheel. Without this package, it was unclear if the XT5 would meet typical luxury standards. Despite high-quality materials, the interior design lacked a strong, cohesive theme, unlike the more distinctive interiors of the Volvo XC60, Lincoln Corsair, or Genesis GV70. There were few brand-specific markers, meaning the cabin did little to remind occupants they were in a Cadillac.

Contrastingly, the 2023 Nissan Rogue played it safer with its design, adhering to typical SUV proportions and chiseled styling. This approach made the Rogue an appealing vehicle—an important factor for many buyers who steer clear of vehicles they find unattractive. The 2023 Nissan Rogue’s lineup included S, SV, SL, and Platinum trims, with prices ranging from $27,360 to $37,140, plus a $1,295 destination charge. Optional Premium packages were available for the SV, SL, and Platinum trims, with a new Midnight Edition package for the SV trim.

Our test vehicle was a Platinum trim with the Premium option package, AWD, two-tone paint, and several accessories which brought the MSRP to $43,100, encroaching on entry-level luxury territory. This Platinum trim offered soft, diamond-pattern leather seats and high-quality materials, providing a near-luxury experience. Despite this, while the interior materials were plush and the controls met segment quality standards, the Rogue did not quite match the grandeur of an actual luxury vehicle.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 offered a choice between two engines: a base 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, producing 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, and a more powerful 3.6-liter V6. The V6, standard on the Sport trim and optional on the Premium Luxury, delivered 310 hp and 271 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, ensuring smooth gear shifts and linear power delivery, especially noteworthy in the V6 variant. Our test car, equipped with the V6, provided a balanced performance, suitable for everyday driving but never veering into the high-performance territory of Cadillac's V-Series models.

The XT5’s Platinum Package included a performance suspension with adaptive dampers, emphasizing a smooth and controlled ride rather than outright sporty handling. It absorbed bumps effectively, maintaining excellent body control. Steering was responsive enough to make the XT5 feel nimble without being overly sensitive, which complemented its luxurious nature. Combined with the quiet cabin, these attributes created a serene driving environment.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue saw significant changes under the hood. The previous 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine was replaced with a 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine featuring variable compression technology. This engine delivered 201 hp at 5,600 rpm and 225 lb-ft of torque between 2,800 and 4,000 rpm. Paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), the Rogue’s engine provided a balance of performance and fuel economy, although the CVT’s simulated gear changes could occasionally feel too dramatic.

The Rogue’s new VC-Turbo engine improved responsiveness in urban and suburban settings. Still, it lacked passing power on highways, and the engine’s unique sound and slight vibration could be off-putting to some drivers. Despite these quirks, the CVT generally operated smoothly, and the Rogue’s intelligent driving aids, such as Intelligent Trace Control and Active Ride Control, ensured a composed ride. The Rogue’s suspension—strut-type front and multi-link rear—handled speed humps and bumps well, though it exhibited some undesirable body motion on undulating roads. Steering, while somewhat lifeless, maintained a secure handling character.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue’s infotainment system featured a standard 8-inch or available 9-inch touchscreen with accessible controls. Our test vehicle had the 9-inch screen, wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, NissanConnect services, a wireless charging pad, and a Bose premium audio system—though the voice recognition technology proved subpar. New for 2023, Alexa Built-in was included but failed to perform reliably in our tests. Additional tech included a 12.3-inch digital instrument display and a head-up display, both of which worked effectively.

In terms of interior space, the 2022 Cadillac XT5 compared favorably with its German competitors. It had more front headroom than the Audi Q5 and Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class but less than the BMW X3. Although it fell short in rear headroom compared to these models, it offered more legroom in both rows. The seats were fairly comfortable but could have benefited from more cushioning, especially in the rear. Cadillac quoted 30 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 63 cubic feet with them folded, surpassing the Q5, X3, and GLC, though not the Infiniti QX50. The inclusion of a hands-free power liftgate added convenience.

Conversely, the 2023 Nissan Rogue provided an interior that replaced the traditional family car, offering easier ingress and egress and better driver visibility. Our Rogue Platinum came loaded with features, including triple-zone climate control, a dual-panel sunroof, and comfortable Zero Gravity front seats. Though ventilated seats were lacking, the front seats were otherwise well-appointed. The back seat provided plenty of room and amenities, though the seat comfort lagged behind the driver’s seat.

Storage space was abundant, with practical cargo solutions thanks to the hands-free power liftgate and the Divide-N-Hide feature, allowing up to 74.1 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats down, compared to the XT5’s 63 cubic feet. However, the storage compartments were mostly unlined, risking noise from items stored within.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5’s infotainment system came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. While user-friendly, it fell short compared to competitors with larger screens and more advanced tech. The optional 14-speaker Bose Performance Series audio system impressed with its sound quality, bolstered by the XT5’s quiet interior.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue’s infotainment system featured a standard 8-inch or available 9-inch touchscreen with accessible controls. Our test vehicle had the 9-inch screen, wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, NissanConnect services, a wireless charging pad, and a Bose premium audio system—though the voice recognition technology proved subpar. New for 2023, Alexa Built-in was included but failed to perform reliably in our tests. Additional tech included a 12.3-inch digital instrument display and a head-up display, both of which worked effectively.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 offered a robust array of safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, and lane-departure warning. The optional Driver Assist Package and Technology Package added adaptive cruise control, enhanced automatic emergency braking, rear automatic braking, rear pedestrian alert, and more. While lacking Cadillac’s Super Cruise, the XT5 still received top ratings from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from NHTSA, although it scored lower for headlight effectiveness and LATCH ease of use.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue also included comprehensive safety features, such as 10 airbags, Safety Shield 360, and NissanConnect services with several safety-related subscriptions. Higher trims offered ProPilot Assist with Navi-link, combining adaptive cruise control with lane-centering. NHTSA gave the Rogue a five-star overall rating, while IIHS honored it with a Top Safety Pick+, despite some lower scores in updated crash tests.