2023 Nissan Rogue vs 2022 Ford Explorer

The 2022 Ford Explorer came in no fewer than eight models, ranging from $33,745 to $54,495, excluding the $1,495 destination charge. With the addition of rugged Timberline and luxurious King Ranch trims, and the new sporty ST-Line, the Explorer was a versatile player in the SUV market.

Our test vehicle was the Explorer King Ranch, equipped with 4WD, Rapid Red paint, a Premium Technology package, and a twin-panel sunroof, raising the price to $59,880, including the destination charge. Visually, the King Ranch boasted 20-inch 10-spoke wheels, quad exhaust outlets, and King Ranch emblems, but it didn't stray far from the visual appeal of other Explorer trims. However, its wonderfully athletic design and "floating roof" effect gave it an appealing, athletic appearance.

Inside the King Ranch, Ford introduced exclusive Del Rio leather seating with lasso-perforated inserts. The chocolate brown over caramel leather color scheme, complete with King Ranch branding, was luxurious but could be swapped for a different trim if one preferred more subdued colors. Yet, with diverse materials, the near-$60,000 cabin did exhibit some areas where more refinement could be desired.

Comparatively, the 2023 Nissan Rogue was handsomely styled with proper proportions and rugged detailing. It was available in S, SV, SL, and Platinum trims, priced between $27,360 and $37,140, with a $1,295 destination charge. Optional Premium and Midnight Edition packages added more customization options.

Our Rogue Platinum test vehicle featured a full suite of upgrades, including AWD, two-tone paint, a frameless rearview mirror, and more, resulting in a price of $43,100. This put it close to the entry-luxury class. The Platinum trim level's long list of upgrades included diamond-pattern leather seats and other soft-touch materials, giving it a high-end feel that matched its price point. However, some parts of the Rogue's interior were criticized for their lack of comfort and could feel somewhat unrefined.

For 2022, the Ford Explorer offered three powertrains. Base, XLT, ST-Line, Limited, and Timberline trims came with a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine generating 300 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. This engine paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and RWD, with optional 4WD. It could tow up to 5,300 pounds and provided up to 24 mpg in combined driving.

An alternative was the 3.3-liter V6 hybrid drivetrain, generating 318 hp and 322 lb-ft of torque. When equipped with RWD or 4WD, this version returned up to 27 mpg combined. It was available for the Limited and Platinum trims, towing up to 5,000 pounds.

For those who desired more power, the twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 engine offered 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. Standard on the ST, Platinum, and King Ranch trims, this engine allowed for a towing capacity of 5,600 pounds, albeit with reduced efficiency (21 mpg combined). Our test King Ranch 4WD achieved 20.6 mpg during evaluation and provided robust acceleration, satisfying power, and a pleasing exhaust note. The Explorer felt solid and robust, offering good off-road capability even with 7.9 inches of ground clearance, while Timberline models offered more off-road specifics.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue, replaced its previous 2.5-liter engine with a new 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine featuring a variable compression design, offering 201 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 225 lb-ft of torque. This engine paired with a CVT and AWD was optional. The Rogue offered multiple driving modes, including Eco, Auto, and Sport, along with Off-Road and Snow modes for AWD versions.

The new VC-Turbo powertrain was preferred over the older engine, delivering a responsive driving experience for city and suburban contexts, despite lacking passing power on highways. It returned 28.9 mpg on the evaluation loop, falling short of the expected 31 mpg. The Rogue's ride was equipped with Intelligent Trace Control and Active Ride Control technologies, ensuring a smooth, composed experience over varying road conditions. However, the steering felt somewhat lifeless, and on roads with undulating pavement, the vehicle exhibited more body motion than desired.

For families, the 2022 Ford Explorer offered ample comfort. The King Ranch trim featured triple-zone automatic climate control, a power-adjustable heated steering wheel, heated and ventilated front seats, heated second-row captain’s chairs, and massaging front seats. Seating comfort was high, except for the third-row, which was challenging to access and best suited for children due to its low cushion and limited legroom. Interior storage was somewhat limited, with practical space for items being suboptimal.

Cargo capacity for the Explorer was robust. With the hands-free power liftgate, the SUV offered 18.2 cubic feet of space behind the third row. Folding down the second-row seats increased that to 47.9 cubic feet, and fully collapsing all seats provided a maximum of 87.8 cubic feet of cargo volume.

Similarly, the 2023 Nissan Rogue was designed as a replacement for a family car, comfortably accommodating four people with space for a fifth. Our Platinum trim test vehicle included features like triple-zone automatic climate control, semi-aniline leather upholstery, and a panoramic sunroof. Both front seats were heated, with the driver’s seat offering eight-way power adjustment. However, while the front seats were comfortable, the rear seats were less so, lacking support and comfort.

Storage in the Rogue was plentiful, yet unlined compartments meant items could cause noise and vibrations. The rear doors opened nearly 90 degrees, enhancing access. Cargo capacity in the Rogue reached 36.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats. The Divide-N-Hide feature allowed for configuring the cargo area in six ways, expanding space up to 74.1 cubic feet with seats folded down and included under-floor storage.

The 2022 Ford Explorer offered two versions of its Sync 3 infotainment system. The base version had an 8-inch touchscreen, while a 10.1-inch display was available. Integration with the interior design was better for the smaller screen. Our test vehicle came with the full suite of Sync 3 features, including remote engine starting, a Wi-Fi hotspot, Ford+Alexa functionality, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a navigation system, wireless smartphone charging, a surround-view camera system, and a 14-speaker Bang and Olufsen premium sound system.

Despite the extensive tech, the Sync 3 system's voice recognition faced issues. Directions and music requests often failed, impacting usability. Upgrading to Sync 4 would solve many of these shortcomings. Additional technology included a 12.3-inch digital instrument display, Active Park Assist 2.0, and an available rear-seat entertainment system.

In the 2023 Nissan Rogue, the infotainment system featured an older design with a standard 8-inch, or an optional 9-inch touchscreen, alongside Bluetooth, satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a Wi-Fi hotspot, a navigation system, a wireless charging pad, and a Bose premium audio system. Alexa Built-in was a new feature for 2023, but the voice recognition system underperformed, struggling with basic directions and requests.

Despite the tech shortcomings, the Rogue included a 12.3-inch digital instrument display and a head-up display, which performed well even in less favorable conditions.

The 2022 Ford Explorer was a Top Safety Pick+ according to the IIHS, though incomplete ratings from the NHTSA left some doubts. The previous year's five-star ratings did not fully carry over. Standard safety features included Ford Co-Pilot360, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic high-beam headlights. Additional features came with Co-Pilot360 Assist+, featuring adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, lane-centering assist, evasive steering assist, post-collision braking, and MyKey programmable functions. While generally efficient, occasional inconsistencies were noted, particularly with lane-centering on curvy roads.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue offered robust safety features like 10 airbags, Safety Shield 360, forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. Higher trims provided ProPilot Assist, combining adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance. The system worked well on highways, though initial activation could be delayed. The ProPilot Assist was effective but sometimes exhibited abrupt braking when vehicles cut in.

The Rogue earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS for 2022 but had marginal scores in updated tests. The NHTSA awarded it a five-star overall rating, though frontal impacts earned four stars.