2023 Nissan Rogue vs 2022 INFINITI QX80

The 2022 INFINITI QX80, at first glance, bore a strong resemblance to the Nissan Armada, sharing its platform, mechanicals, and general layout. This wasn't necessarily a drawback, as both SUVs were considered good-looking. The QX80's size was deemed just right, not too big or too small. Its front-end styling was unique, thanks to the distinctive Infiniti grille, which was prominent but not overdone. LED lighting was tastefully integrated, and the conservative use of chrome added an upscale look. The stylish 22-inch dark chrome alloy wheels, standard on Premium Select and above, further enhanced the exterior.

Inside, the QX80's cabin featured unique and more upscale materials compared to the Armada, though Nissan's design theme was evident. The Sensory-trim test vehicle boasted tasteful wood trim and attractive quilted semi-aniline Saddle Brown leather seats. Despite these upscale touches, the QX80's interior style was seen as going out of fashion. While the cabin was comfortable and attractive, it fell short of the high bar set by competitors in the premium full-size SUV market segment.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue, on the other hand, was designed to appeal to a broad audience with its proper proportions, chiseled styling, and rugged SUV detailing. The Rogue lineup included S, SV, SL, and Platinum trim levels, 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.

Our test vehicle, a Platinum trim with the Premium option package, came with AWD, two-tone paint, a frameless rearview mirror, floor mats, a cargo area protector, interior accent lighting, exterior ground lighting, illuminated kick plates, and a first-aid kit. These upgrades brought the MSRP to $43,100, overlapping with the most affordable version of the Infiniti QX50. The Platinum trim offered a long list of upscale features, including soft, diamond-pattern leather seats and high-quality materials throughout the cabin.

The 2022 INFINITI QX80 was powered by a robust 400-horsepower, 5.6-liter V8 engine, delivering 413 lb-ft of torque. This engine was one of the QX80's strengths, providing strong performance and a pleasing exhaust note. However, it was also thirsty, and Infiniti recommended premium fuel. The V8 was paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission with adaptive shift control and manual mode. Despite having fewer gears than some competitors, the transmission offered seamless and smooth shifts, quick kickdowns for passing, and smooth power delivery.

The QX80, based on the global Nissan Patrol, offered more off-road capability than most owners would need. It came standard with 2WD, with 4WD available for an additional $3,100. The 4WD system featured a computer-controlled transfer case with settings for Automatic, 4Hi, and 4Lo. The QX80 had 9.2 inches of ground clearance, making it capable of handling challenging terrain. It also had a maximum towing capacity of 8,500 pounds. The available Hydraulic Body Motion Control system helped manage body lean during cornering, but the QX80's nearly three-ton weight was still noticeable in sharp turns.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue, meanwhile, featured a new turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine with variable compression design, replacing the previous 2.5-liter four-cylinder. This VC-Turbo engine produced 201 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 225 lb-ft of torque from 2,800 to 4,000 rpm. It was paired with a CVT that included paddle shifters. The Rogue offered Eco, Auto, and Sport driving modes, with AWD versions adding Off-Road and Snow modes. Remote engine starting with climate system pre-conditioning was also available.

The new VC-Turbo powertrain was preferred over the previous engine, providing responsive performance in urban and suburban driving. However, it lacked passing power on the highway, and the engine's unusual note and vibration through the accelerator pedal might be off-putting to some drivers. The EPA estimated fuel economy at 31 mpg combined, but our test vehicle averaged 28.9 mpg. The Rogue's suspension and steering provided a good balance of ride compliance and body control, though the steering felt lifeless.

The 2022 INFINITI QX80 required a climb to enter due to its nearly two-foot step-in height, a result of its body-on-frame construction. Inside, the cabin felt spacious and airy, with good front-seat head- and legroom. Forward visibility was commendable, though the sideview mirrors were a bit small. The power-sliding moonroof was smaller than panoramic designs on other Infiniti models. The QX80 could seat up to eight passengers with the optional second-row bench seat, but the third row was cramped for adults. Cargo space was limited compared to competitors, with 16.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 49.6 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 95.1 cubic feet with all seats folded.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue, designed as a replacement for the traditional family car, offered easy entry and exit, good visibility, and a practical cargo area. Our Platinum test vehicle featured a triple-zone automatic climate control system, a dual-panel panoramic sunroof, and premium semi-aniline leather upholstery with diamond-stitched inserts. The front seats were heated and comfortable, though ventilated seats were not available. The rear seat was roomy but lacked comfort, with a low bottom cushion and diamond-shaped pleats that felt like bubble wrap. The Rogue offered plenty of storage space, though most locations were unlined, potentially causing noise.

The Rogue's rear doors opened to a nearly 90-degree angle, making it easy to load and unload passengers. The hands-free power liftgate revealed up to 36.5 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 74.1 cubic feet with the back seats folded. The Divide-N-Hide feature allowed for six different cargo configurations, and underfloor storage areas were included.

The 2022 INFINITI QX80 featured a new 12.3-inch Infiniti InTouch display with Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The display also included navigation with lane guidance, voice recognition, and Infiniti InTouch connected services. A Bose 13-speaker premium sound system was standard, with a 17-speaker Performance Series Bose system on the Sensory trim. Other features included multiple USB ports, illuminated steering-wheel-mounted audio controls, and a wireless smartphone charger. The dual-screen rear entertainment system was included but lacked HDMI adapters.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue used an older infotainment system with a standard 8-inch or available 9-inch touchscreen display. Our test vehicle had the 9-inch screen, Bluetooth, satellite radio, wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, NissanConnect services with a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a navigation system. It also featured a wireless smartphone charging pad and a Bose premium audio system. Alexa Built-in was new for 2023 but had limited functionality in our test. The Rogue also had a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a head-up display, both of which worked well.

The 2022 INFINITI QX80 came with a range of standard safety features, including forward automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring with lane-departure prevention, forward-collision warning, backup collision intervention, a smart rearview mirror, and adaptive cruise control. Additional safety features included driver attention alert, front knee airbags, and seat belt pre-tensioners for second-row outboard passengers. The NHTSA gave the QX80 three out of five stars for rollover resistance, while the structurally similar 2021 QX80 received four stars for overall crash protection.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, including 10 airbags, a rear-seat reminder system, and Safety Shield 360. This included forward-collision warning with 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 added ProPilot Assist with Navi-link, combining adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance. The Rogue earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.