2023 Nissan Rogue vs 2022 Ford Bronco

The 2022 Ford Bronco, with its attractive retro styling and go-anywhere attitude, was one of the most sought-after vehicles. It returned with two new range-topping models: the Everglades and the Bronco Raptor. The Everglades model was built for swamp trekking and deep water, featuring an intake snorkel, a Warn winch, and 35-inch Goodyear mud-terrain tires. The Bronco lineup expanded to seven distinct trims, each with increasing off-road capabilities. Unfortunately, the 2022 models were already sold out, but those who managed to order one could choose between two-door or four-door body styles, a four-cylinder or six-cylinder engine, and a removable roof with either a soft- or hard-top.

The Bronco's design was unapologetically utilitarian, with short overhangs, low-profile bumpers, and a tall ride height to enhance off-road performance. Inside, it continued the rugged theme with features like sealed switches, marine-grade vinyl upholstery, and drain plugs for easy cleaning. Despite its ruggedness, the Bronco was equipped with modern technology, including G.O.A.T. modes, a digital instrument panel, and a large infotainment touchscreen. The Bronco's combination of brawn and brains made it a versatile vehicle, capable of tackling challenging terrain while offering advanced safety features and customization options.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue featured proper proportions, chiseled styling, and SUV detailing to convey a rugged sense of purpose. The lineup included S, SV, SL, and Platinum trims, 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, with the Premium option package, AWD, and various upgrades, brought the MSRP to $43,100, overlapping with the Infiniti QX50.

The Platinum trim offered upscale features, including soft, diamond-pattern leather seats and high-quality materials. The Rogue's interior was designed for comfort, with features like a triple-zone automatic climate control system, a dual-panel panoramic sunroof, and heated front seats. The Zero Gravity seat designs provided excellent support, though the rear seats were less comfortable. The Rogue's controls and layout were straightforward, but the remote keyless entry fob was difficult to use in low light. The rear doors opened to a nearly 90-degree angle, making it easy to load and unload passengers. The Rogue's cargo space was practical, with up to 36.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 74.1 cubic feet with the seats folded.

The 2022 Ford Bronco offered a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque, and an optional turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 engine with 330 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. A seven-speed manual transmission was available for the four-cylinder engine, while a 10-speed automatic was mandatory for the V6 and optional for the four-cylinder. All Broncos came with four-wheel drive and an electronic two-speed transfer case. The Bronco's off-road prowess was evident across its lineup, with models like the Wildtrak and Everglades excelling in challenging terrains.

The Everglades model, tested on Drummond Island, handled deep-rutted muddy trails, deep water crossings, and steep rock climbs with ease. It could ford water as deep as 36.4 inches and demonstrated impressive winching abilities. On pavement, the Bronco offered a smoother ride and better steering than its rival, the Jeep Wrangler. Wind noise on the highway was a minor complaint, but the absence of tire howl contributed to the Bronco's overall excellence as a versatile vehicle.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue featured a new turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine with variable compression design, producing 201 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 225 pound-feet of torque from 2,800 rpm to 4,000 rpm. The engine was paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) and offered front-wheel drive or optional AWD. The Rogue's driving modes included Eco, Auto, and Sport, with additional Off-Road and Snow modes for AWD versions. The new VC-Turbo powertrain provided responsive performance in urban and suburban settings, though it lacked passing power on the highway.

The Rogue's fuel economy was rated at 31 mpg in combined driving, but it averaged 28.9 mpg during testing. The Rogue's ride quality and handling were enhanced by brake-induced ride quality and cornering enhancements, including Intelligent Trace Control and Active Ride Control. The Rogue's suspension design and large 19-inch alloy wheels contributed to a composed ride over speed humps and sharp bumps. However, the steering felt lifeless, and the all-season tires provided modest grip. Overall, the Rogue demonstrated a good balance of ride compliance and body control.

The 2022 Ford Bronco's squared-off styling contributed to its spacious interior, offering ample headroom and legroom for both front and rear passengers. Accessing the rear seats in the two-door model required some effort, but the four-door model provided easier access. Cargo capacity varied depending on the model and roof type, with the two-door hard top offering up to 22.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 52.3 cubic feet with the seats folded. The four-door hard top increased capacity to 35.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 77.6 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Bronco also featured clever storage solutions and accessories, including stowable doors and removable fender flares.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue was designed as a replacement for the traditional family car, offering a higher driving position, better visibility, and a more practical cargo area. The Rogue's interior was spacious, with comfortable front seats featuring Nissan's Zero Gravity design. The rear seats, however, were less comfortable and lacked leg support. The Rogue's controls and layout were straightforward, but the remote keyless entry fob was difficult to use in low light. The rear doors opened to a nearly 90-degree angle, making it easy to load and unload passengers. The Rogue's cargo space was practical, with up to 36.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 74.1 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Divide-N-Hide feature allowed for configurable cargo space, and underfloor storage areas provided additional space.

The 2022 Ford Bronco smartly used technology to enhance its off-road capabilities while keeping the driver engaged. The G.O.A.T. modes added off-road confidence for novice drivers, while seasoned off-roaders could manually select their preferred setups. The forward-looking trail camera and Trail Turn Assist feature were particularly useful for navigating challenging terrains. The Bronco's Sync 4 infotainment system offered quick responses, sharp graphics, and helpful off-road apps. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with an available wireless charging pad.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue featured 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. The Rogue also had a wireless smartphone charging pad and a Bose premium audio system. Alexa Built-in was new for 2023, but the voice recognition technology struggled with basic commands. The test vehicle also had a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a head-up display, both of which worked well.

The 2022 Ford Bronco came with standard safety features like hill-start assist, hill descent control, and trailer sway control. Optional safety features included frontal collision warning with automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alerts, lane-keep assist, rear parking sensors, and automatic high beams. The High package added front parking sensors and a surround-view camera system, while the Luxe package included adaptive cruise control and evasive steering assist. The Bronco received a four-out-of-five-star rating for frontal crash protection and a three-out-of-five-star rating for rollover protection from the NHTSA. The IIHS awarded the Bronco its best score of "Good" in frontal, side, and roof strength tests.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue was equipped with 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 IIHS for the 2022 calendar year, though it received Marginal and Acceptable scores in updated crash tests. The NHTSA awarded the Rogue a five-star overall rating, with four stars for frontal-impact collision.