2023 Nissan Rogue vs 2022 Hyundai Kona

The 2022 Hyundai Kona received a significant makeover, enhancing its overall sophistication. The vehicle was 1.6 inches longer than its predecessor, featuring revised front and rear fascias, enhanced LED lighting, and sporty new character lines. These sharp body lines were complemented by lower body cladding, a staple for crossover SUVs. New alloy wheel designs completed the exterior styling changes, giving the Kona a more refined appearance. Inside, the instrument panel and center console were separated to emphasize a horizontal layout, creating a wider, more spacious look. Ambient lighting for the front cupholders and footwells added a touch of elegance, while a rear USB port increased convenience for backseat passengers. The introduction of the sporty N Line and Kona N trims brought unique styling elements, such as body-color cladding and rocker panels, and new wheel designs, enhancing the Kona's athletic appeal. The Kona N further elevated the sportiness with features like wide fenders, a front lip spoiler, and N sport bucket seats.

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 host of upscale features, including diamond-pattern leather seats and soft-touch surfaces. Despite its entry-luxury price point, the Rogue's interior quality met the standards of the compact SUV segment. The vehicle's design emphasized practicality, with features like a frameless rearview mirror, interior accent lighting, and a first-aid kit. However, the Rogue's design choices, such as the low-contrast key fob, occasionally lacked thoughtfulness, impacting user experience.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona offered a diverse range of powertrains, catering to different performance preferences. The SE and SEL trims featured a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT. For those seeking more power, the N Line and Kona Limited boasted a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine delivering 195 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, coupled with a seven-speed DCT. The Kona N took performance to another level with a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine producing 276 horsepower and 289 pound-feet of torque, paired with an N eight-speed wet DCT. This powertrain included exclusive driving features like N Grin Shift and N Track Sense Shift, enhancing the driving experience. Our test vehicle, a Kona N Line with AWD, demonstrated impressive power and maneuverability, with minimal turbo lag and composed handling.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue, on the other hand, featured a new turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine with 201 horsepower and 225 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a CVT, offered Eco, Auto, and Sport driving modes, with additional Off-Road and Snow modes for AWD versions. While the VC-Turbo powertrain improved responsiveness in urban settings, it lacked passing power on the highway. The engine's unique note and vibration through the accelerator pedal might not appeal to all drivers. The Rogue's fuel economy fell short of expectations, averaging 28.9 mpg in combined driving. Despite these drawbacks, the Rogue's ride quality and cornering enhancements, such as Intelligent Trace Control and Active Ride Control, contributed to a secure handling character.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona, despite its compact size, provided ample comfort for front-seat occupants. Headroom and legroom were sufficient, even with the optional sunroof, and the front seats offered excellent support. However, rear-seat passengers faced challenges due to small door openings and limited head- and legroom. The Kona's cargo space, at 19.2 cubic feet with all seats up, was tight, accommodating only a few items. Folding down the rear seats expanded the space to 45.8 cubic feet, but towing was not recommended.

In contrast, the 2023 Nissan Rogue excelled as a family car replacement, offering spacious seating for four and accommodating a fifth passenger when needed. The Platinum trim featured premium amenities like a triple-zone climate control system, panoramic sunroof, and Zero Gravity seat designs. While front-seat comfort was impressive, the rear seats lacked leg support and comfort. The Rogue's cargo space was more generous, with up to 36.5 cubic feet behind the back seat and 74.1 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Divide-N-Hide feature allowed for versatile cargo configurations, enhancing practicality.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona introduced more tech features, starting with an 8-inch display for the base SE trim. The SEL trim added SiriusXM satellite radio, HD Radio, and Hyundai Blue Link. Higher trims, like the Limited and Kona N, offered a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation and an eight-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay were standard with the base screen, while the larger screen required wired connections. The Kona also featured Digital Key and Hyundai Blue Link services, enhancing convenience and connectivity.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue, however, used an older infotainment system with an 8-inch or optional 9-inch touchscreen. The test vehicle included Bluetooth connectivity, satellite radio, wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, and a Bose premium audio system. Despite these features, the Alexa Built-in system struggled with voice recognition, impacting usability. The Rogue also offered a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a head-up display, providing clear information to the driver.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona offered essential safety features, including automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, and driver attention warning. Optional technologies included adaptive cruise control, blind-spot warning, and Highway Drive Assist. The Kona received five stars from the NHTSA for overall crash protection and "Good" ratings from the IIHS in crashworthiness tests. However, its child-seat anchors received a "Marginal" rating, preventing it from achieving Top Safety Pick status.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue boasted an extensive array of safety features, such as 10 airbags, Safety Shield 360, and ProPilot Assist with Navi-link. The Rogue earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. However, it received lower scores in updated small overlap frontal-impact and side-impact tests. ProPilot Assist impressed with its accuracy and lane-centering technology, though braking action could be abrupt.