2023 Nissan Rogue vs 2022 Kia Sorento

The 2022 Kia Sorento, especially with the X-Line package, stood out for its robust and stylish design. Rugged bumpers, matte-finish wheels, and black lower body cladding gave this midsize SUV a strong and appealing presence. The lifted suspension and sturdy roof rails further added to its rugged look. The test vehicle featured the X-Line package along with all-wheel drive (AWD), Wolf Gray paint, Rust-colored leather, floor mats, and a cargo net. The total MSRP came to $45,310, including the destination charge. Even without all the extras, the Sorento exuded quality, from the leather upholstery to the simulated wood trim on the dashboard. Moreover, the vehicle’s rock-solid construction was evident, with no part feeling flimsy, even in the most affordable Sorento LX model.

In contrast, the 2023 Nissan Rogue took a more conservative approach to design, emphasizing practical 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 the destination charge. The Platinum trim, which was tested, came with AWD, two-tone paint, and a host of optional features, inflating its MSRP to $43,100. The Platinum model featured upscale upgrades, notably soft, diamond-pattern leather seats, contributing to a sense of luxury. The Rogue’s design choices aimed to balance appeal and purpose, aligning well with consumer expectations in the compact SUV segment.

The 2022 Kia Sorento offered multiple engine options, starting with a standard 191-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, which took nearly 9.5 seconds to reach 60 mph. This sluggish performance made the other available powertrains more appealing. Starting with the Sorento EX, buyers could opt for a 281-hp turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering a robust 311 pound-feet of torque. Paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automated manual transmission, this engine provided a more satisfying driving experience, accelerating to 60 mph in about 7.5 seconds with AWD. Despite the X-Line’s raised suspension, the Sorento offered a sporty driving experience, with commendable handling and braking performance. However, the fuel economy fell short of expectations, with the SUV averaging just 20.7 mpg during the evaluation.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue, equipped with a new 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine featuring variable compression, aimed for a balance between performance and fuel economy. The engine produced 201 horsepower and 225 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). While the Rogue felt responsive in urban settings, it lacked passing power on highways. The CVT's simulated gear changes were sometimes overly dramatic, and the engine's unusual sound and vibrations might have been off-putting to some drivers. The Rogue fell short of its advertised fuel economy, averaging 28.9 mpg during the test. It featured brake-induced ride quality and cornering enhancements but struggled with body motion on undulating roads.

Inside the 2022 Kia Sorento, the Rust-colored leather (despite its odd name) and 14-way power driver’s seat added a luxurious touch. The heated and ventilated front seats, along with a heated steering wheel, enhanced driver comfort, though the hard plastic on the center console was a minor irritation. The second-row captain’s chairs were designed for children, featuring various conveniences like cupholders, USB ports, and air conditioning vents. The third-row seat, however, was cramped and better suited for occasional use or additional cargo space. With the third-row seats folded down, the Sorento offered 38.5 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 75.5 cubic feet with the second-row seats down. The “smart” power tailgate was a handy feature, though it occasionally opened unintentionally.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue’s interior was designed to replace traditional family cars, offering easier access due to its higher ground clearance. The Platinum trim provided luxurious features like triple-zone automatic climate control, a panoramic sunroof, and Zero Gravity front seats. However, the lack of height adjustment for the front passenger and unventilated front seats were downsides. The rear doors opened wide, making it easier to load children, but the rear seats were less comfortable due to low-mounted cushions and firm diamond-shaped pleats. The Rogue offered 36.5 cubic feet of cargo space, which could be expanded to 74.1 cubic feet using the modular Divide-N-Hide system. However, unlined storage compartments could result in unwanted noise.

Starting in 2022, the Kia Sorento equipped all models except the base LX with a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, including features like navigation, satellite radio, and Kia Connect services. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were limited to the smaller 8-inch screen, requiring a cable for the larger display. The SX Prestige X-Line trim even boasted a 12-speaker Bose premium sound system, along with wireless smartphone charging starting from the EX trim.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue retained an older version of its infotainment system, equipped with either an 8-inch or a 9-inch touchscreen. The test model featured a 9-inch display, which included Bluetooth, satellite radio, wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, NissanConnect services, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a navigational system integrated with a smartphone app. The Rogue’s Platinum trim also offered a 12.3-inch digital instrument display and a head-up display (HUD), as well as Alexa Built-in, though voice recognition fell short during testing. Both the digital instrumentation and HUD were user-friendly, though they were not tested with polarized sunglasses.

The 2022 Kia Sorento came standard with Kia Drive Wise, a suite of safety features varying by trim. The test vehicle included advanced features like a rear-seat reminder with ultrasonic sensors, Junction Assist to prevent unsafe turns, and a Blind View Monitor activated by turn signals. Highway Driving Assist offered Level 2 semi-autonomous driving, effectively managing speed and lane-keeping on freeways. The Sorento earned a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS and a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with four-star ratings in frontal-impact and rollover resistance.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue was equipped with Safety Shield 360, offering features like forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. Higher trims could access systems like ProPilot Assist with Navi-link, combining adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance. The Rogue Platinum excelled in freeway driving with accurate and user-friendly ProPilot Assist technology. The 2023 Rogue earned a Top Safety Pick+ from IIHS, though it faltered in small overlap and side-impact tests, and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.