2022 Chevrolet Traverse vs 2023 Nissan Rogue

For 2022, the Traverse received a mild facelift, featuring refreshed headlights and taillights, a redesigned front bumper, modified grille, new aluminum wheels, and updated color options. Special editions like the Redline, Midnight, and Sport Editions introduced blacked-out trim for a more aggressive appearance. The silver RS trim test vehicle sported dark gray 20-inch wheels and liberal use of blacked-out trim, making it one of the segment's more stylish options. The silver RS with AWD and a Dual SkyScape Sunroof was priced at $48,895.

Inside, the Traverse RS came with black leather upholstery, highlighted by red and light gray stitching, alongside gloss black trim. While materials were mixed, featuring hard plastics in less desirable areas, the overall design was simple and user-friendly. Standard amenities included a comfortable eight-way power driver’s seat, plenty of legroom in all three rows, a logical layout of controls, and decent dashboard ergonomics.

Conversely, the 2023 Nissan Rogue presented itself with handsome proportions and chiseled styling that were typical of today's compact SUVs. The Rogue's price range spanned from $27,360 to $37,140, with trim levels including S, SV, SL, and Platinum. Special packages like the new Midnight Edition were also available.

The Platinum trim test vehicle was equipped to impress, boasting AWD, two-tone paint, frameless rearview mirror, premium diamond-pattern leather seats, and numerous interior lighting features. Fully loaded, the Rogue Platinum was priced at $43,100, encroaching on luxury territory. The diamond-pattern leather seats stood out for their quality, yet the Rogue's interior was marked by well-placed controls, a thoughtful layout, and ample soft-touch materials.

Ultimately, the Traverse's exterior exuded a rugged charm, whereas the Rogue balanced understated elegance with a hint of adventure. Inside, both vehicles offered comfortable, family-friendly environments, though the Rogue had a slight edge in material quality and luxury-feel.

Under the hood, the 2022 Chevrolet Traverse had a singular engine option: a robust 3.6-liter V6 producing 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, providing ample power for daily commutes and family trips. The Traverse could tow up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped and offered driving modes like Tow/Haul, Snow, Off-Road, and Normal. Our test vehicle returned an average of 20.9 mpg in combined driving, closely aligning with the EPA’s 20 mpg estimate for AWD models.

On city streets, the Traverse delivered a firm yet compliant ride, though it was best suited for highway cruising, where it excelled despite some wind and road noise. The Traverse managed sharp turns and mountain inclines adeptly, thanks to its capable drivetrain and control systems. However, its P255/55R20 all-season tires didn’t contribute much excitement to the driving experience, and its suspension often felt overly soft at higher speeds.

Meanwhile, the 2023 Nissan Rogue's performance revolved around its turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder VC-Turbo engine, introduced in the 2022 model year. This engine generated 201 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 225 pound-feet of torque from 2,800 to 4,000 rpm, and was paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) featuring paddle shifters. Despite its innovative technology, the VC-Turbo lacked highway passing power and occasionally sent vibrations through the accelerator pedal, which could be perceived as a lack of refinement.

The Rogue provided driving modes such as Eco, Auto, Sport, Off-Road, and Snow, depending on the drivetrain configuration. Our test vehicle, expected to achieve 31 mpg, averaged 28.9 mpg on the evaluation loop. This was slightly disappointing but consistent with previous experiences with VC-Turbo engines. Ride quality was generally good, with the Rogue effectively handling speed bumps at 35 mph; however, its all-season tires and suspension struggled on rougher roads, and steering felt disconnected.

In summary, the Traverse offered more traditional, reliable V6 power, whereas the Rogue’s more advanced yet sometimes unpolished turbocharged three-cylinder catered to those prioritizing efficiency and technology.

Choosing the 2022 Chevrolet Traverse could mean sacrificing seating capacity if opting for higher trims like RS, Premier, or High Country, limited to seven passengers due to standard second-row captain’s chairs. Standard amenities in the RS trim included power-adjustable heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and triple-zone climate control, ensuring comfort for all occupants.

Second-row passengers benefited from generous legroom and headroom, though the captain’s chairs lacked leg support and were overly reclined in default positions. The third-row seats were accessible via a wide pass-through or the Smart Slide mechanism, which even allowed movement with child seats installed. Despite its comfort, the third row couldn’t match the space offered by larger SUVs like the Chevrolet Tahoe but remained competitive in its segment.

Regarding cargo capacity, the Traverse boasted generous storage solutions, including hidden compartments behind the infotainment screen and under the cargo floor. It provided 23 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expandable to 57.8 cubic feet with the seats folded. Maximum cargo volume hit 98.2 cubic feet, making it one of the roomiest options in its class.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue, by contrast, aimed to replace traditional family cars with its higher stance and practical design. It comfortably accommodated four passengers, with provisions for a fifth in a pinch. The Platinum trim offered features like an eight-way power driver’s seat, a four-way power passenger seat, a panoramic sunroof, and triple-zone climate control, though ventilated front seats were notably absent.

The rear seat, while roomy, lacked comfort due to low cushion mounting and inadequate leg support. In contrast, front seats were exceptionally comfortable, boasting Nissan’s Zero Gravity design. The Rogue also impressed with thoughtful touches such as nearly 90-degree-opening rear doors and ample rear amenities, including climate controls, USB ports, heated seats, and sunshades.

Cargo-wise, the Rogue offered 36.5 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats, expandable to 74.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. Nissan’s Divide-N-Hide feature provided versatile configuration options and underfloor storage, enhancing practicality.

When comparing cargo capacities, the Traverse surpassed the Rogue in overall space but required more maneuvering to maximize volume. The Rogue’s Divide-N-Hide added versatility, though the Traverse’s cavernous interior made it more suitable for larger families or those needing significant cargo room.

Technology-wise, the 2022 Chevrolet Traverse equipped the LS and LT Cloth trims with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, while higher trims featured an 8-inch high-definition display. Premier and High Country trims added an 8-inch digital instrument panel. The infotainment system allowed Bluetooth connectivity for two devices simultaneously, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and connected services like a WiFi hotspot. Teen Driver technology was standard, providing parents with a monitoring keyfob.

The 8-inch touchscreen came with optional navigation, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and more in-vehicle apps, including Alexa Built-in. Standard from RS trim, the Bose premium sound system with seven speakers offered decent audio quality. The Chevrolet Infotainment System 3 technology impressed with quick and accurate voice recognition, enhancing usability.

Visibility was generally good except for rearview mirror obstruction by the liftgate, mitigated by an available digital rearview mirror. The RS trim’s surround-view camera and rear cross-traffic alert system proved beneficial in parking lots.

By comparison, the 2023 Nissan Rogue used an older infotainment system standard with an 8-inch and available 9-inch touchscreen. The test vehicle had the 9-inch screen, Bluetooth, satellite radio, wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, NissanConnect services, a WiFi hotspot, and integrated navigation. It also included a wireless charging pad and a Bose premium audio system, with Alexa Built-in newly available for 2023.

However, the Rogue’s voice recognition system fell short, struggling with basic commands, including simple navigation requests, and failing to recognize notable landmarks like The White House. The test vehicle also featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a head-up display (HUD), both functioning effectively, though polarized sunglasses compatibility of the HUD remained untested.

In essence, the Traverse offered a more user-friendly and sophisticated infotainment experience, while the Rogue’s system lagged in voice recognition and seamless functionality.

RS, Premier, and High Country trims offered adaptive cruise control, high-speed automatic emergency braking, and rear pedestrian alert systems, with exclusive vibrating Safety Alert Seats for Premier and High Country.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rated the Traverse "Good" in most crash tests, except for an "Acceptable" score in the updated side-impact test. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) had not published ratings for the 2022 Traverse at the time.

In contrast, the 2023 Nissan Rogue boasted extensive standard safety equipment, including 10 airbags, a rear-seat reminder system, and Safety Shield 360 with features such as forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, rear automatic braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. NissanConnect services provided additional safety features during a complimentary subscription period.

Higher trims offered ProPilot Assist with Navi-link, combining adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assist. In testing, ProPilot Assist’s accuracy and smooth operation impressed, though with an initial activation lag and occasionally abrupt braking.

The 2023 Rogue received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, although ratings in some updated tests were lower. It earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with lower scores for the front passenger and driver in frontal impacts.