2022 Nissan Rogue vs 2023 Subaru Outback

The 2022 Nissan Rogue continued to build on its 2021 redesign, which had transformed its appearance from slightly cute to more mature and sophisticated. The exterior design featured a V-motion grille, multi-level LED headlights, and a floating roof illusion, contributing to its sleek look. Inside, the Rogue boasted a layered dash design with contrasting colors and surfaces, an electronic gear selector lever, and a spacious center console. The Zero Gravity front seats provided comfort, while the second row offered ample legroom. The fit and finish were exemplary, especially in the top-tier Platinum model.

In contrast, the 2023 Subaru Outback received a facelift that gave it a more aggressive appearance with redesigned LED headlights, a restyled grille, and a revised bumper. The Onyx Edition, with its black wheels and trim, complemented the bold cladding. Inside, the Touring trim featured premium Nappa leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The Outback's interior was upscale and cohesive, with thoughtful design elements like flat, textured door sills for easy roof rack access. However, the large infotainment screen and gloss black trim were prone to collecting dust and smudges.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue's performance was enhanced by its new 1.5-liter VC-Turbo engine, producing 201 horsepower and 225 lb-ft of torque. This engine offered a significant improvement over the previous model, delivering lively performance and impressive fuel economy of 30 mpg city/37 mpg highway/33 mpg combined. The new CVT transmission provided a wider range of gear ratios, enhancing acceleration and responsiveness. The Rogue's chassis and suspension handled the engine's power well, offering a smooth and controlled ride with minimal body roll.

The 2023 Subaru Outback, with its standard 2.5-liter flat-four engine, produced 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque. While the CVT made good use of the power at lower speeds, the engine struggled with passing and climbing. The Outback's fuel economy was disappointing, achieving only 25.6 mpg in real-world testing. The turbocharged XT models offered more power, with 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque, but at the cost of reduced fuel efficiency. The Outback's suspension provided excellent ride quality, and its AWD system, combined with X-Mode, made it capable off-road.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue offered a well-thought-out interior with numerous storage options, including bottle holders, cupholders, and various cubbies. The second-row seat was a 60/40 split reclining bench, providing flexibility for passengers and cargo. The Rogue's cargo area offered 31.6-36.5 cubic feet of space, expanding to 74.1 cubic feet with the second row folded.

The 2023 Subaru Outback prioritized utility with features like a robust roof rack and flat door sills for easy access. The Touring trim provided comfort with power-adjustable front seats, heated and ventilated seats, and premium Nappa leather upholstery. The Outback's cargo space measured 32.6 cubic feet behind the back seat, expanding to 75.6 cubic feet with the seats folded. However, the Outback could benefit from more practical storage space in the cabin.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue featured a technology upgrade with a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, a 9-inch 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, a hands-on driver-assist system, was available, offering features like adaptive cruise control and steering assist.

The 2023 Subaru Outback, except for the Base trim, came with an 11.6-inch Starlink touchscreen infotainment system. It offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with subscription-based Starlink connected services. The system's usability had improved, but the voice recognition was lacking. Additional technologies included a camera-based digital rearview mirror and a 180-degree front-view camera.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue came equipped with the Nissan Safety Shield 360 suite, including features like automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and lane-departure warning. ProPilot Assist enhanced these features, offering Level 2 advanced driver-assist capabilities. The Rogue received a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS for the 2021 model.

The 2023 Subaru Outback featured EyeSight technology, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. Higher trims offered additional features like blind-spot monitoring and automatic emergency steering. The Outback earned top safety marks from the IIHS, including in the new side-impact crash test. However, the adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist systems had room for improvement in terms of natural operation.