2022 GMC Terrain vs 2023 Nissan Rogue

The 2022 GMC Terrain received updates to its front styling, wheel designs, taillights, and interior trim. The new AT4 trim level featured a bolder grille design, black 17-inch alloy wheels with sport-terrain tires, and AT4 badges. GMC equipped the AT4 with a steel skid plate under the front end to protect vital mechanical components, anticipating that some owners might test its off-road capabilities. The test vehicle came with Ebony Twilight metallic paint, a black leather interior, and several packages, bringing the MSRP to $41,810. Despite the high price, the Terrain's interior materials and execution did not fully meet expectations for craftsmanship.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue, with its proper proportions and chiseled styling, aimed to appeal to a broad audience. 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 Platinum trim test vehicle, loaded with options, reached an MSRP of $43,100. The Rogue Platinum offered upscale features like diamond-pattern leather seats and soft-touch materials, aligning with the quality standards of the compact SUV segment. However, the Rogue's engine character and some interior design choices, like the key fob, left room for improvement.

The 2022 GMC Terrain featured a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 170 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque. The engine's torque was available between 2,000 rpm and 4,000 rpm, but the 170 horsepower peaked at 5,600 rpm. The nine-speed automatic transmission helped keep the Terrain in the torque band, though there was a delay off the line. The Terrain AT4 offered FWD, AWD, Off-Road mode, and Hill Descent Control. The AT4's 7.9 inches of ground clearance was less than some competitors, and its sport-terrain tires lacked grip on curves. The Terrain AT4's fuel economy was rated at 26 mpg, and it achieved 26.2 mpg during testing.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue replaced its previous 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with a new turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine, producing 201 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 225 pound-feet of torque from 2,800 rpm to 4,000 rpm. The CVT included paddle shifters, and the Rogue offered FWD or optional AWD with multiple driving modes. The new VC-Turbo powertrain felt responsive in urban and suburban settings, though it lacked highway passing power. The engine's character included an unusual note and some vibration. The Rogue's fuel economy was rated at 31 mpg, but it achieved 28.9 mpg during testing. The Rogue's suspension provided a good balance of ride compliance and body control, though the steering felt lifeless.

The 2022 GMC Terrain's interior was roomy for a compact crossover, with power-adjustable front seats, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and dual-zone automatic climate control. The AT4 trim featured perforated leather upholstery with caramel-color contrast stitching. The back seat offered ample legroom and a rear USB charging port. Cargo space measured 29.6 cubic feet behind the back seat, expanding to 63.3 cubic feet with the rear seat folded. The front passenger seat could also fold down for longer items.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue aimed to replace the traditional family car, offering easy entry and exit, better visibility, and a practical cargo area. The Platinum trim test vehicle included a triple-zone automatic climate control system, a dual-panel panoramic sunroof, and premium semi-aniline leather upholstery. The Rogue's front seats featured Nissan's Zero Gravity design, though the rear seat lacked comfort. The Rogue's rear doors opened to a nearly 90-degree angle, and the back seat offered rear climate controls, USB charging ports, and heated outboard seats. Cargo space measured 36.5 cubic feet behind the back seat, expanding to 74.1 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Divide-N-Hide feature allowed for six different cargo configurations.

The 2022 GMC Terrain offered two infotainment systems: a 7-inch touchscreen for SLE trim and an 8-inch touchscreen for SLT, AT4, and Denali trims. Both systems included Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, and GMC Connected Services. The larger screen added connected navigation and a Bose premium sound system. The voice recognition system was excellent, though the Bose speakers were less impressive. The Tech Package included a head-up display, front and rear park assist sensors, and a surround-view camera system.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue used an older infotainment system with an 8-inch or 9-inch touchscreen, stereo volume and tuning knobs, and main menu buttons. The test vehicle had the 9-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, satellite radio, wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, NissanConnect services, and a navigation system. The voice recognition technology struggled with accuracy, and the Alexa Built-in system was not functional. The Rogue also featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a head-up display, both of which worked well.

The 2022 GMC Terrain came standard with the GMC Pro Safety Package, including forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, automatic high-beam headlights, and a following distance indicator. The GMC Pro Safety Plus Package added adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-change assist, rear parking sensors, and a Safety Alert Seat. The IIHS awarded the Terrain mostly "Good" crash-test scores, with a "Marginal" rating in a new side-impact test. The NHTSA had not evaluated the 2022 Terrain's crashworthiness.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue included 10 airbags, a rear-seat reminder system, and Safety Shield 360 as standard. This package featured 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. Higher trims offered ProPilot Assist with Navi-link, combining adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance. The IIHS awarded the Rogue a Top Safety Pick+ for 2022, though it received "Marginal" and "Acceptable" scores in updated tests. The NHTSA gave the 2023 Rogue a five-star overall rating, with four stars for frontal-impact collisions.