2023 Acura RDX vs 2022 Nissan Rogue

The 2022 Nissan Rogue, a staple in Nissan's lineup since 2007, continued to impress with its mature and sophisticated design. The exterior featured Nissan’s V-motion grille, multi-level LED headlights, and a sleek floating roof illusion. The interior boasted a layered dash with contrasting colors and surfaces, an electronic gear selector lever, and a spacious center console. The Zero Gravity bucket-style front seats and roomy second row added to the comfort, while the fit and finish, especially in the Platinum model, were exemplary.

In contrast, the 2023 Acura RDX showcased a sharp, angular style that was both sporty and aggressive. The signature Acura grille, sleek wraparound headlights, and deep body creases gave it a distinctive look. Inside, the RDX featured a vertical cockpit layout with a focus on performance, highlighted by gear-selector buttons and a drive-mode dial. The 10.2-inch infotainment display and digital center display with analog gauges provided a blend of modern and traditional elements. However, the interior design felt somewhat dated compared to its rivals.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue received a significant boost in performance with its new 1.5-liter VC-Turbo engine, producing 201 horsepower and 225 lb-ft of torque. This engine, combined with a new CVT, offered a lively driving experience with improved fuel economy, achieving 30 mpg city/37 mpg highway/33 mpg combined. The Rogue's chassis and suspension provided a smooth, controlled ride with minimal body roll, and the electric power-assisted steering offered good feel and a tight turning diameter.

The 2023 Acura RDX, powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivered 272 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. Paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, the RDX accelerated to 60 mph in 6.7 seconds. The SH-AWD system provided excellent traction and handling, making the RDX feel sporty yet comfortable. The ride quality was smooth, and the brake pedal offered reassuring firmness. However, the RDX did not offer a more fuel-efficient or powerful engine option, limiting its appeal to some buyers.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue excelled in interior space and storage options. The front cabin featured numerous storage compartments, including bottle holders, cupholders, a glove compartment, and a center console bin. Rear-seat passengers had ample storage options and USB ports. The cargo area offered 31.6-36.5 cubic feet of space, expandable to 74.1 cubic feet with the second row folded flat.

The 2023 Acura RDX provided generous front seat space with additional power adjustments in top trims. The rear seats accommodated average-sized adults comfortably, and the panoramic sunroof enhanced the cabin's airy feel. The cargo area offered 31.1 cubic feet of space, expandable to 79.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The RDX also featured a deep bin under the cargo floor with a center drain plug. However, the center stack's design took up unnecessary space, limiting storage options.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue came equipped with advanced technology, including a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, a 9-inch center infotainment touchscreen, and a 10.8-inch head-up display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with wireless Apple CarPlay available on upper trims. ProPilot Assist with Navi-Link provided advanced driver-assist features, integrating navigation for predictive speed control. The Intelligent Key allowed for easy access to both front and rear doors.

The 2023 Acura RDX's infotainment system, controlled by a touchpad, was less user-friendly. While the system improved with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, it remained one of the least intuitive interfaces. The RDX featured a Wi-Fi hotspot, remote monitoring via the Acuralink app, and a premium 16-speaker ELS audio system in the top trim. Despite sharp graphics and quick responses, the touchpad controller detracted from the overall experience.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue featured the Safety Shield 360 suite, including automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane-departure warning. ProPilot Assist offered advanced driver-assist capabilities. The Rogue received a four-star overall safety rating from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from IIHS for the 2021 model.

The 2023 Acura RDX earned five stars from NHTSA for overall and side crash protection and four stars for frontal and rollover protection. IIHS awarded it a Top Safety Pick+ rating. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keep assist. The Technology package added parking sensors, while the Advance package included a surround-view camera and head-up display.