2022 Nissan Rogue vs 2023 Toyota Venza

The 2022 Nissan Rogue, a staple in Nissan's lineup since 2007, continued to impress with its mature and sophisticated design. The latest model carried forward the grownup look introduced in the previous year, featuring a V-motion grille, multi-level LED headlights, and a sleek floating roof. 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 Toyota Venza offered a sleek and sculpted design that could easily be mistaken for a Lexus. The contoured body, with its harmonious curves and sharp rear roofline, set it apart from typical Toyota SUVs. Inside, the Venza borrowed elements from the RAV4 but dressed them up with nicer materials and details. The dashboard featured integrated buttons for temperature control, more soft-touch surfaces, and a substantial feel. Overall, the Venza's interior and exterior styling were attractively cohesive, making it one of the best-looking vehicles in Toyota's lineup.

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, with its Variable Compression technology, offered a balance of power and efficiency, achieving an EPA-estimated 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 delivered a smooth, controlled ride with minimal body roll, and the electric power-assisted steering offered good feel and a tight turning diameter.

The 2023 Toyota Venza, powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid system, produced a combined 219 horsepower. The hybrid system, paired with a CVT and all-wheel drive, provided immediate acceleration from the electric motors, with the gasoline engine seamlessly blending in for additional power. The Venza reached 60 mph in 7.5 seconds, a respectable time for its class. The ride quality favored comfort over sporty handling, with a smooth and compliant ride that absorbed most road imperfections. However, the steering lacked precision and feedback, and maneuverability was limited, requiring multiple-point turns in tight spaces.

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, a center console bin, and more. Rear-seat passengers had storage options in the doors, seatbacks, and center armrest, along with USB-A and USB-C charge-only 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 Toyota Venza provided ample space for front-seat occupants, enhanced by large windows and a panoramic sunroof. The rear seats offered good legroom and foot room, though headroom was limited. The cargo area, however, was smaller, with only 28.8 cubic feet of space. The Venza was not rated for towing, further limiting its cargo capacity. On the plus side, the Venza excelled in holding smaller personal items, with a wireless phone charger, well-sized cupholders, and a deep center armrest bin.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue featured a technology upgrade with a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, a 9-inch center infotainment touchscreen, and a 10.8-inch head-up display on upper trims. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with wireless Apple CarPlay available on higher trims. ProPilot Assist, Nissan's hands-on driver-assist technology, was available and integrated with the navigation system for predictive speed control. The Intelligent Key allowed for easy access to both front and rear doors.

The 2023 Toyota Venza came with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a wireless charging pad. The base LE trim featured an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, while higher trims offered a 12.3-inch display. The new infotainment system provided sharp graphics and quick responses. A Wi-Fi connection and remote vehicle monitoring were available, along with a nine-speaker JBL premium audio system on higher trims. The top Limited model included a one-year trial subscription to Drive Connect services, offering virtual navigation assistance.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue came equipped with the Nissan Safety Shield 360 suite, including automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, high beam assist, and rear automatic braking. ProPilot Assist provided advanced driver-assist features, and 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 Toyota Venza scored five stars in overall and side crash protection from the NHTSA and received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS. The Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ suite included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure assist, and more. Higher trims added features like front and rear parking sensors, a surround-view camera system, and a digital rearview mirror.