2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar vs 2023 Nissan Rogue

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar exuded a sense of luxury and sophistication that was hard to match. Its design was a testament to Land Rover's long-standing tradition of crafting elegant SUVs. The Velar's sleek, sporty silhouette, with its long wheelbase and distinctive Land Rover grille, was unmistakably a Range Rover. The vehicle's exterior was a harmonious blend of blocky and streamlined elements, accentuated by features like pop-out door handles and bronze accents on the R-Dynamic trim. Inside, the Velar's cabin was a study in high-quality materials and exemplary fit and finish, even in the base trim. The interior boasted a polished black center stack and three sharp screens, offering a sophisticated and user-friendly interface.

In contrast, the 2023 Nissan Rogue presented a more practical yet appealing design. It was crafted with proper proportions and rugged SUV detailing, making it a popular choice among consumers. The Rogue's lineup included various trims, with the Platinum trim offering a host of upscale features. The interior was spacious, accommodating four adults comfortably, and was equipped with premium leather seats and a panoramic sunroof. The Rogue's design focused on functionality, with features like a nearly 90-degree rear door opening and ample cargo space. However, some design choices, like the low-contrast key fob, were less thoughtful, impacting user experience.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar shared its chassis with the Jaguar F-Pace, resulting in a unique driving experience for a Land Rover. It boasted a lower center of gravity and lighter weight, enhancing its cornering and braking capabilities. The base engine was a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four, producing 247 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive. The Velar also offered an optional 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, available in two states of tune, delivering up to 395 horsepower. Despite its street-focused mission, the Velar included features like a Terrain Response system and All Terrain Progress Control, though it lacked the off-road capabilities of larger Range Rover models.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue, on the other hand, 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 automatic transmission (CVT) and offered front-wheel drive, with optional all-wheel drive. The Rogue's powertrain provided responsive performance in urban settings, though it lacked passing power on the highway. The vehicle's ride quality was enhanced by features like Intelligent Trace Control and Active Ride Control, though the steering felt lifeless. The Rogue's fuel economy was slightly below expectations, averaging 28.9 mpg in combined driving.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar's interior was tighter than midsize SUVs, with limited headroom and visibility due to its stylish design. Cargo space was modest, offering 16 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 49 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Velar's design choices, like the lack of a discrete parking brake control, were frustrating, though the new Pivi Pro infotainment system improved usability.

In contrast, the 2023 Nissan Rogue offered a more practical interior, with ample space for four adults and a fifth passenger when needed. The Platinum trim featured premium leather seats, a panoramic sunroof, and a triple-zone climate control system. The Rogue's rear doors opened to a nearly 90-degree angle, facilitating easy access, though the rear seat comfort was lacking. The vehicle provided up to 36.5 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 74.1 cubic feet with the seats folded, and included features like a hands-free power liftgate and Divide-N-Hide cargo system.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar's Pivi Pro infotainment system was a pleasant surprise, offering a simplified layout and useful features like voice activation and a 360-degree camera. The system included a heated windshield, navigation with traffic detours, and a 12-speaker Meridian stereo. However, the adaptive cruise control with steering assist was not as advanced as competitors.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue's infotainment system featured an 8-inch or 9-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, satellite radio, and wireless Apple CarPlay. The test vehicle included a Bose premium audio system, a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display, and a head-up display. However, the Alexa Built-in system struggled with voice recognition, impacting its usability.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar scored well in the European NCAP, though U.S. crash-test ratings were unavailable. Standard safety features included forward emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring, with optional 360-degree cameras and adaptive cruise control.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue was equipped with Safety Shield 360, offering features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. Higher trims included 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, though it received lower scores in some specific tests.