2022 Porsche Macan vs 2023 Nissan Rogue

The 2022 Porsche Macan, introduced back in 2015, continued to embody Porsche's commitment to luxury with a sporty flair eight years later. Despite regular updates to the model lineup, wheel designs, and paint colors, the Macan of 2022 closely resembled its original form from 2015. The styling refresh for 2022 included larger standard wheels and an updated interior center console now featuring haptic touch controls for a sophisticated, modern touch. The three-model lineup included the Macan base model, Macan S, and Macan GTS, with the high-output powertrain of the former Macan Turbo now found in the GTS.

Our test model, a Macan S, impressed with its Volcano Gray paint and 21-inch RS Spyder Design wheels—an excellent combination that showcased the Macan's athletic and performance-oriented design. The exterior design elements such as the sloping clamshell hood, swollen haunches, and rakish roofline contributed to its sporty appearance.

Inside, the Macan borrowed elements from other Porsche models, including an ignition switch to the left of the steering wheel, a large tachometer centered in the gauge cluster, and a flat and wide dashboard. The red leather, gloss black interior trim, and silver metallic accents completed a cabin that felt upscale and purpose-driven.

Contrastingly, the 2023 Nissan Rogue featured proper proportions and chiseled styling to embody a rugged sense of purpose. The model lineup—including the S, SV, SL, and Platinum trims—offered price points from $27,360 to $37,140, with the possibility of various packages. Our Platinum test vehicle, priced at $43,100 with extras, shared an overlapping price range with entry-level luxury models like the Infiniti QX50.

The Rogue Platinum exterior was adorned with two-tone paint, exuding a sense of sophistication. Inside, diamond-pattern leather seats provided an upscale touch, while soft-touch materials were plentiful. However, some practical elements, such as inefficient key fob design and lower rear seat comfort, marred its overall interior user experience. Still, its overall design aimed to balance ruggedness with the necessary urban appeal.

The 2022 Porsche Macan offered a choice of powerful engines reflecting its sporty intentions. The base model featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 261 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. The Macan S, like our test model, upgraded to a 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6, pushing 375 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque, ensuring acceleration from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.4 seconds with the optional Sport Chrono package.

All Macans came equipped with Porsche’s seven-speed PDK dual-clutch automatic transmission and an all-wheel-drive system that favored rear-wheel power distribution for an engaging driving experience. Porsche re-tuned the Macan's steering and suspension for 2022, adding larger 20-inch standard wheels and the Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) adaptive damping suspension as standard for the Macan S.

Driving the Macan S was a joy, blending comfort and performance seamlessly. Despite some minor quirks, such as needing to press harder on the brake pedal initially, the Macan S lived up to its reputation with exceptional handling, gripping the road through Santa Monica's curves with precision and stability.

In contrast, the 2023 Nissan Rogue featured a new 1.5-liter three-cylinder VC-Turbo engine that replaced the older 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. This engine generated 201 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 225 lb-ft of torque between 2,800 and 4,000 rpm, paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). The Rogue offered various drive modes including Eco, Auto, and Sport, and for AWD versions, Off-Road, and Snow.

Though the new engine improved responsiveness, the Rogue lacked sufficient passing power on the highway. The CVT, while better than before, occasionally exhibited abrupt simulated gear changes. Fuel economy fell short of expectations, delivering 28.9 mpg in combined driving despite an EPA rating of 31 mpg.

Nissan equipped the Rogue with a strut-type front and multi-link rear suspension, and our test model handled everyday bumps and speed humps effortlessly. Though the steering felt lifeless and the suspension showed excess body motion on undulating roads, the driving experience remained secure and somewhat enjoyable.

In terms of interior comfort, the 2022 Porsche Macan impressed its driver and front-seat passenger. Our Macan S test vehicle featured 14-way power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, part of the optional Premium Package. However, the rear seats were cramped, requiring passengers to make compromises in legroom. Accessing the rear seats was easier than expected, but overall, rear comfort was not a strong suit. Cargo space was limited to 17.2 cubic feet behind the back seat, expandable to 53 cubic feet with the seats folded down.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue acted as a modern family car replacement, offering a higher seating position for easy access and good visibility. The front seats boasted Nissan’s Zero Gravity seat designs but lacked ventilated options. Rear visibility benefited from large side mirrors and thin windshield pillars. The Rogue's back seats were roomy, but the seat cushion's low placement and diamond-shaped pleats provided discomfort. Storage space in the Rogue was more generous, offering 36.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the back seat and expandable to 74.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down, assisted by Nissan’s Divide-N-Hide system.

The 2022 Porsche Macan came equipped with a 10.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system, called Porsche Communication Management (PCM). The system included wireless Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM satellite radio, a navigation system, and delivered a high-definition display. The standard 10-speaker sound system could be upgraded to a Bose premium or a high-end Burmester audio system. However, it lacked Android Auto compatibility. While the user experience was generally intuitive, voice recognition had its shortcomings.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue used an older version of Nissan’s infotainment system, featuring an 8-inch or available 9-inch touchscreen. Our test vehicle came with the larger screen, Bluetooth connectivity, satellite radio, wireless Apple CarPlay, and wired Android Auto. It included NissanConnect services access to a Wi-Fi hotspot and a BOSE premium audio system. The system’s voice recognition was subpar and struggled with basic commands, reducing its reliability. A 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and head-up display (HUD) were also available, adding to the technological suite.

The 2022 Porsche Macan included standard safety features such as adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring and lane-keeping assist, though our test model lacked the latter. Park Assist and surround-view cameras aided parking, but advanced driver assistance was limited, especially compared to competitors.

Conversely, the 2023 Nissan Rogue came equipped with 10 airbags, Safety Shield 360, and additional safety features as standard. Our test model included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, automatic high-beam headlights, and more. Higher trims offered ProPilot Assist, combining adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance, tested positively in urban environments. The Rogue earned IIHS's Top Safety Pick+ and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, but some specific frontal-impact and side-impact tests revealed areas needing improvement.