2022 Nissan Rogue vs 2023 Volkswagen Taos

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 grown-up look introduced in the previous year, featuring a V-motion grille, multi-level LED headlights, and a sleek floating roof. Inside, the Rogue boasted a layered dash with contrasting colors and surfaces, an electronic gear selector lever, and ample storage space, including a large center console and a 9-inch infotainment display. 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.

The 2023 Volkswagen Taos, designed for North American markets, aimed to balance affordability with passenger comfort and utility. The Taos SEL trim, with its Cornflower Blue paint and 19-inch alloy wheels, exuded a stylish and sporty appeal. Inside, the light gray seat and dashboard accents, gloss black trim, and leather seats gave it a premium feel. The Taos offered impressive interior space, nearly matching the larger Tiguan, and featured cold-weather equipment, dual-zone climate control, and a panoramic sunroof in the SEL trim. However, the lack of a sliding and height-adjustable center armrest was a minor drawback.

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 was an 11% increase in horsepower and a 24% increase in torque compared to the previous model. The engine's variable compression technology allowed for efficient fuel consumption, achieving an EPA estimate of 30 mpg city/37 mpg highway/33 mpg combined. The new CVT transmission provided a smooth and responsive driving experience, while the chassis and suspension delivered a controlled ride with minimal body roll and good steering feel.

The 2023 Volkswagen Taos featured a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine, generating 158 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. The FWD models came with an eight-speed automatic transmission, while the AWD models, including the SEL trim, had a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. Despite the multiple driving modes, the powertrain response was inconsistent, leading to unpredictable surges or delays in torque delivery. The Taos averaged 26.8 mpg during testing, slightly below the EPA rating of 28 mpg combined. The AWD models had an independent multi-link rear suspension, providing a firm and stable ride, but the engine's lack of power was noticeable compared to competitors.

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 access to storage in the doors, seatbacks, and center armrest, along with USB-A and USB-C charge-only ports. The Rogue offered 31.6-36.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, expanding to 74.1 cubic feet with the seats folded flat.

The 2023 Volkswagen Taos provided a comfortable and spacious interior, with cloth seats in the S trim, CloudTex artificial leather in the SE, and real leather in the SEL. The SE and SEL trims included cold-weather features, dual-zone climate control, and a panoramic sunroof. The Taos offered ample rear-seat room and comfort, with air conditioning vents and a low seat cushion. Storage space was generous, with 27.9 cubic feet behind the back seat and 65.9 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down, slightly reduced in AWD models.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue came equipped with advanced technology, including a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, a 9-inch infotainment touchscreen, and a 10.8-inch head-up display in upper trims. The infotainment system supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 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 2023 Volkswagen Taos featured standard digital instrumentation, with an 8-inch screen in the S and SE trims and a 10.25-inch display in the SEL. The infotainment system varied by trim, with the S trim offering a 6.5-inch touchscreen and the SE and SEL trims featuring an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The SEL trim included a native navigation system, an eight-speaker Beats Audio system, and additional connected services. However, the user experience was hindered by hidden virtual controls, a complicated radio tuning process, and subpar voice-recognition technology.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue included the Nissan Safety Shield 360 suite across all trims, featuring automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, high beam assist, and rear automatic braking. The Rogue also offered ProPilot Assist, a Level 2 advanced driver-assist system, and received a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. The 2021 model was awarded a Top Safety Pick+ rating by the IIHS.

The 2023 Volkswagen Taos improved its standard safety features, with the S trim including forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, and automatic emergency braking. The SE trim added the IQ.Drive collection, which included lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and emergency assist. The Taos also featured a post-collision automatic braking system, automatic high-beam headlights, and parking sensors with automatic braking. The Taos received decent but imperfect crash-test ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS.