2022 Subaru Forester vs 2023 Nissan Rogue

The 2022 Subaru Forester came in various trims, including base, Premium, Sport, Wilderness, Limited, and Touring. Prices started at $25,195 for the base model and went up to $35,295 for the Touring, with an additional $1,125 destination charge. All-wheel drive was standard across all trims. The Forester Wilderness, tested in Bend, Oregon, featured white paint, a dark gray interior with water-repellant StarTex simulated leather, and a base price of $33,945, including destination. With added options like a navigation system, Harman Kardon premium sound system, and a power rear liftgate, the test vehicle's price reached $36,014.

The Forester's exterior, especially in the Wilderness trim, was not universally appealing. The suspension lift, higher ride height, and extensive protective cladding gave it a rugged look, but the matte-black hood decal and copper-colored details made it look somewhat like a raccoon on wheels. Inside, the Forester emphasized function over form, with a mix of hard plastic and soft surfaces. The 8-inch Starlink infotainment system was user-friendly, though the three display screens could be cumbersome. Overall, the Forester felt well-made, but the Wilderness trim's aesthetics were polarizing.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue featured a lineup of S, SV, SL, and Platinum trims, with prices ranging from $27,360 to $37,140, plus a $1,295 destination charge. The SV, SL, and Platinum trims offered optional Premium packages, while the new Midnight Edition package was exclusive to the SV trim. The test vehicle, a Platinum trim with the Premium package, included AWD, two-tone paint, and various interior and exterior upgrades, bringing the MSRP to $43,100.

The Rogue's design was appealing, with proper proportions and chiseled styling. The Platinum trim offered upscale features like diamond-pattern leather seats and soft-touch materials. However, the Rogue's remote keyless entry fob was difficult to use in low light due to its low-contrast design. The rear seat was roomy but not as comfortable as the front seats, with a low bottom cushion and diamond-shaped pleats that felt like sitting on bubble wrap. Storage space was plentiful, but most locations were unlined, potentially causing unwanted noise.

The 2022 Subaru Forester continued with its 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 182 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 176 pound-feet of torque at 4,400 rpm. All Foresters had a CVT and AWD, with the Wilderness model featuring a design that increased initial torque supply by 25%. This CVT also doubled the Wilderness's towing capacity to 3,000 pounds. The EPA estimated the Forester Wilderness's fuel economy at 26 mpg in combined driving, but the test vehicle averaged 25.9 mpg.

The Forester's engine was adequate at sea level but felt sluggish at higher altitudes. The CVT's eight programmed ratios provided a smooth driving experience, and the SI-Drive system added a Sport mode for more lively response. The dual-function X-Mode system offered various settings for different surfaces, and the re-tuned suspension improved ride and handling. The Wilderness trim's longer springs and shocks raised the suspension to 9.2 inches, enhancing ground clearance and off-road capabilities. The Forester excelled in various driving environments, though it lacked engine power and had excessive wind noise above 65 mph.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue featured a new turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine with variable compression design, producing 201 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 225 pound-feet of torque from 2,800 to 4,000 rpm. The CVT included paddle shifters, and the engine powered the front wheels unless AWD was selected. The Rogue offered Eco, Auto, and Sport driving modes, with AWD versions adding Off-Road and Snow modes. The EPA estimated the test vehicle's fuel economy at 31 mpg in combined driving, but it averaged 28.9 mpg.

The VC-Turbo powertrain was responsive in urban and suburban driving but lacked passing power on the highway. The engine's unusual note and vibration through the accelerator pedal might be off-putting to some drivers. The Rogue's ride quality was generally good, with Intelligent Trace Control and Active Ride Control enhancing cornering and ride comfort. However, the steering felt lifeless, and the all-season tires provided modest grip. The Rogue demonstrated a good balance of ride compliance and body control, making it a secure and consistent handler.

The 2022 Subaru Forester emphasized functionality, with easy entry and exit due to tall seating hip points. The StarTex upholstery was water-resistant, and the Wilderness trim included all-weather floor mats, a rubber cargo mat, and washable material on the rear seatbacks. The upgraded roof rails accommodated a dynamic load of 220 pounds and a static load of 800 pounds, suitable for a three-person roof tent.

Comfort levels were high in both the front and back seats, with excellent outward visibility. Rear air conditioning vents and quick-charge ports added to passenger comfort. Storage space was decent, though Subaru missed opportunities for additional storage solutions. Cargo space measured 28.9 cubic feet without the panoramic sunroof and 26.9 cubic feet with it. Folding the rear seat down increased cargo capacity to 74.2 cubic feet (69.1 with the sunroof), making the Forester one of the roomiest compact SUVs.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue served as a replacement for the traditional family car, accommodating four people comfortably and a fifth person when necessary. The Platinum trim featured a triple-zone automatic climate control system, a dual-panel panoramic sunroof, and premium semi-aniline leather upholstery with diamond-stitched inserts. Both front seats were heated, but ventilated seats were not available.

The Rogue's rear doors opened to a nearly 90-degree angle, making it easier to load and unload passengers. The rear seat was roomy but not as comfortable as the front seats, with a low bottom cushion and diamond-shaped pleats. Storage space was plentiful, though most locations were unlined. The hands-free power liftgate revealed up to 36.5 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 74.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. The Divide-N-Hide feature allowed for various cargo configurations, and underfloor storage areas added to the Rogue's practicality.

The 2022 Subaru Forester included a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, HD Radio, and Starlink connected services. Premium trim added access to a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. Wilderness, Limited, and Touring trims featured an 8-inch screen, navigation system, and Harman Kardon premium sound system. The Wilderness trim also included a 180-degree forward-view camera.

The test vehicle's Harman Kardon audio system produced clear, rich sound, and the navigation system was helpful, though a breadcrumb function would have been useful. The voice recognition system was hit-and-miss. The PIN Code Access feature allowed owners to leave the key fob in the SUV and use a PIN code to re-enter the vehicle, appealing to outdoorsy types.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue used an older version of Nissan's infotainment system, with a standard 8-inch or available 9-inch touchscreen display. The test vehicle had the 9-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth connectivity, satellite radio, wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, NissanConnect services with a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a navigation system with a door-to-door function. It also featured a wireless smartphone charging pad and a Bose premium audio system. Alexa Built-in was new for 2023 and standard in the Rogue Platinum.

The voice recognition technology struggled with basic commands, and the system's performance was disappointing. The test vehicle also had a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a head-up display, both of which worked well.

The 2022 Subaru Forester debuted the next-generation EyeSight 4.0 safety system, with a wider field of vision and smoother operation. It included automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist. The new Automatic Emergency Steering system operated at speeds under 50 mph. The Forester also featured a rear-seat reminder system, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear automatic braking. Touring trim added DriverFocus, a facial recognition technology for monitoring drowsiness and distraction.

The Forester earned a 5-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA and was expected to retain its IIHS "Top Safety Pick+" rating.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue came with 10 airbags, a rear-seat reminder system, and Safety Shield 360, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, rear automatic braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. Higher trims offered ProPilot Assist with Navi-link, combining adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance.

The Rogue earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS for the 2022 calendar year, though it received Marginal and Acceptable scores in updated tests. The NHTSA awarded the Rogue a five-star overall rating, with four stars for the driver and front passenger in a frontal-impact collision.