2023 Nissan Rogue vs 2022 Honda Passport

The 2022 Honda Passport bore a striking resemblance to the Honda Ridgeline pickup truck, especially from the front. This similarity was due to the shared vehicle platform with the Ridgeline, Odyssey minivan, and Pilot SUV. The Passport was essentially a shorter version of the Pilot, minus the third-row seat, and featured distinct styling. Honda's design updates aimed to give the Passport a tougher look, with all three trim levels—EX-L, TrailSport, and Elite—receiving new wheel designs. The TrailSport trim, new for 2022, was designed to appeal to off-road enthusiasts, though it was more about aesthetics than actual capability. The Passport's interior was spacious, with quality materials and thoughtful design elements like orange contrast stitching and amber ambient lighting in the TrailSport trim.

In contrast, the 2023 Nissan Rogue maintained a more conservative design approach, focusing on proper proportions and rugged SUV detailing. The Rogue lineup included S, SV, SL, and Platinum trims, with prices ranging from $27,360 to $37,140, plus a destination charge. The Platinum trim, which we tested, offered a luxurious experience with features like diamond-pattern leather seats and a host of upscale upgrades. The Rogue's interior was designed for comfort and practicality, with ample space for passengers and cargo. However, the rear seat comfort was less impressive compared to the front, and the key fob design was criticized for its lack of user-friendliness in low-light conditions.

The 2022 Honda Passport retained its 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. It offered both front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) options. The V6 engine was praised for its smooth performance, and the Passport's handling was surprisingly athletic for an SUV. The EPA rated the Passport at 22 mpg combined for FWD and 21 mpg for AWD. The TrailSport trim, with its standard AWD, averaged 21.3 mpg in various driving conditions. The Passport's i-VTM4 AWD system provided mechanical torque vectoring, enhancing its off-road capability. However, the brakes were noted for heating up and vibrating during mountain descents, which was a concern given its 5,000-pound towing capacity.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue featured a new turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine with a variable compression design, producing 201 horsepower and 225 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and offered FWD or optional AWD. The Rogue's powertrain was responsive in urban settings, but it lacked passing power on highways. The EPA estimated 31 mpg combined, but the test vehicle averaged 28.9 mpg. The Rogue's ride quality was enhanced by Intelligent Trace Control and Active Ride Control, though the steering felt lifeless. Despite some body motion on uneven roads, the Rogue maintained a secure handling character.

The 2022 Honda Passport offered easy access with large doors and a low step-in height. The interior featured comfortable seats with leather upholstery and heated front seats as standard. The Elite trim added ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel. Rear passengers enjoyed ample space and a triple-zone climate control system. The Passport provided generous storage options, including a large center console and spacious cargo area, with 41.2 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 77.7 cubic feet with the seats folded.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue was designed as a family car replacement, offering good visibility and easy entry. The Platinum trim included premium leather upholstery, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The Rogue's Zero Gravity seats were comfortable, though the rear seat lacked leg support. Storage was plentiful, but unlined compartments could cause noise. The cargo area offered 36.5 cubic feet of space, expandable to 74.1 cubic feet with the seats down. The Divide-N-Hide feature allowed for versatile cargo configurations.

The 2022 Honda Passport's infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and satellite radio. The TrailSport trim added navigation, while the Elite trim featured a 10-speaker premium sound system and WiFi hotspot. The system was functional but not advanced, with some users preferring Apple CarPlay over the built-in navigation.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue used an older infotainment system with an 8-inch or optional 9-inch touchscreen. The test vehicle had the larger screen, Bluetooth, satellite radio, wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, and a Bose audio system. Alexa Built-in was new for 2023 but had limited functionality. The Rogue also featured a 12.3-inch digital display and a head-up display, both of which performed well.

The 2022 Honda Passport came with Honda Sensing, offering adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and more. However, some features like lane-departure warning and lane-centering assist were less refined. The Passport received five-star ratings from the NHTSA, except for four stars in front passenger protection and rollover resistance. The IIHS gave it top ratings, with an Acceptable score for front-passenger protection in a small overlap collision.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue boasted Safety Shield 360, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. Higher trims offered ProPilot Assist with adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assistance. The Rogue earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS, though it received Marginal and Acceptable scores in updated tests. The NHTSA awarded it a five-star overall rating, with four stars for frontal-impact protection.