2023 Nissan Rogue vs 2022 Subaru Outback

Looking at the 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness, it became evident that this iteration sat higher than the standard Outback. The Wilderness transformed the Outback from a conventional station wagon to an off-road-ready powerhouse that rivaled Jeep's reputation. With a 9.5-inch ground clearance, an increase of 0.8 inches over other Outbacks, it certainly projected an adventurous spirit. The design elements reinforced this rugged intent: aggressive all-terrain tires snuggled under oversized fender protection trim, and restyled front and rear bumpers allowed for improved approach and departure angles. The unique grille design, black 17-inch wheels, blacked-out exterior trim with Anodized Copper accents, and a glare-reducing matte black hood decal all contributed to its distinctive appearance. The new roof rack and rail system supported a 700-pound static load, beneficial for rooftop camping, complemented by an exclusive Geyser Blue paint option.

The interior of the Outback Wilderness was a contrast of dark gray and black hues, furnished with StarTex water-repellant upholstery. Despite the absence of ventilated seats, heated seats were present to combat colder climates. The black headliner, Gunmetal Gray interior trim, Anodized Copper stitching, brushed aluminum pedals, and all-weather floor mats rounded off a visually coherent interior. The inclusion of waterproof rear seatback material and a cargo tray catered directly to adventurous lifestyles, ensuring functionality remained uncompromised despite stylistic flair.

Pricing for the Outback Wilderness reflected its position in the more upscale end of the Outback spectrum, situated between the Onyx XT and the Limited XT trims. The model started at $36,995 plus a $1,125 destination charge. Our test model, adorned in Autumn Green and outfitted with features like a power sunroof, a navigation system, and reverse automatic braking, amounted to $39,965, inclusive of destination charges.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue, on the other hand, exuded a different but equally compelling look. Nissan took a calculated approach with its popular product by maintaining proportions and integrating chiseled styling. The Rogue projected a sense of rugged sophistication that appealed to a wide audience. It came in various trims—S, SV, SL, and Platinum—with prices ranging from $27,360 to $37,140 plus a $1,295 destination charge. The Platinum test vehicle introduced to us was nearly top-of-the-line, complete with various premium additions that hiked its price to an impressive $43,100. This Platinum trim featured soft, diamond-pattern leather seats and softened touchpoints throughout the cabin. As far as exterior aesthetics, our test model sported two-tone paint and illuminated visual accents, adding an air of nuanced luxury.

The Rogue's design retained approachability, even at upper trim levels. Its large side mirrors and thin windshield pillars supported excellent outward visibility, and thoughtful touches like a pair of rear doors that opened to nearly 90 degrees added practicality. Nonetheless, the remote keyless entry fob was criticized for its poor design, compelling users to resort to smartphone flashlights for clarity in low light.

Overall, both vehicles made strong impressions with distinct design philosophies—the Subaru embodied rugged off-road readiness while the Nissan balanced urban sophistication with functional practicality.

Under the hood of the 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness was a turbocharged 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, arranged in Subaru's flat, or horizontally opposed layout. This engine, found in the turbo Outback XT models, delivered 260 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 277 lb-ft of torque from 2,000 to 4,800 rpm, plenty for its 3,896-pound frame. The towing capacity maxed out at 3,500 lbs, amplifying its utility factor. In terms of fuel efficiency, the EPA estimated a combined mileage of 24 mpg. However, during testing on a mountainous route with an 1,800-foot elevation gain, the average dropped to 21.3 mpg.

The CVT, despite its eight programmed ratios and paddle shifters, was a bit of a letdown. Acceleration felt soft and the simulated "gear changes" left much to be desired. Though satisfactory during regular driving, the droning and mushy response during acceleration were detracting. Like most Subarus, the Outback came standard with AWD. What set the Wilderness apart were its rugged off-road adaptations. The vehicle stood tall with a 9.5-inch ground clearance and sported 17-inch gloss-black wheels wrapped in Yokohama Geolandar all-terrain tires. The approach angles (20 degrees front, 21.2 degrees center, and 23.6 degrees rear), combined with the skid plates, made it a formidable off-road machine. On the trails of the Santa Monica Mountains, it effortlessly tackled climbs and descended with ease. The X-Mode traction system added versatility with Snow/Dirt and Deep Snow/Mud settings, keeping the vehicle nimble on rugged terrains.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue adopted a different tactic with its newly introduced turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine, utilizing Nissan’s exclusive variable compression design. This VC-Turbo engine produced 201 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 225 lb-ft of torque from 2,800 to 4,000 rpm. It utilized a CVT with paddle shifters similar to the Subaru, but the execution was arguably smoother for regular driving conditions. The engine's unique characteristics—such as its odd note and vibrations through the accelerator pedal—were remarked upon, but these didn’t overshadow its day-to-day viability.

Fuel economy was another battleground. The EPA estimated that the Rogue should achieve 31 mpg in combined driving. In practice, it averaged 28.9 mpg, slightly missing the target but still superior to the Outback’s results.

Handling was where the Rogue shone brightly. It featured brake-induced ride quality and cornering enhancements, ensuring a smooth ride even over local speed humps. The strut-type front and multi-link rear suspension, coupled with agility aids like Intelligent Trace Control and Active Ride Control, contributed to a ride that balanced compliance and control admirably. The Rogue navigated local speed humps and sharp bumps without exerting excess body motion or generating undue noise from the suspension, offering a consistently comfortable experience.

Comparatively, while the Outback Wilderness excelled in off-road scenarios, the Rogue asserted itself as a comfortable, reliable option for daily urban and suburban use.

The interior of the 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured StarTex upholstery that was water-repellant, which kept moisture from soaking into the seats. However, during hot days, this material could make the occupants quite uncomfortable, absorbing sweat and exacerbating the heat. Ventilated seats were notably absent, though heated front seats were standard. The driver’s seat came with a 10-way power adjustment, while the front passenger's seat provided 8-way power adjustment, ensuring comfortable positioning. Rear seat space was generous, supporting ample legroom and headroom for two adults or three children, featuring rear air conditioning vents and dual USB charging ports. Here too, heated seats were offered to mitigate the cold, even though the StarTex caused discomfort in warmer climates.

Cargo capacity in the Outback Wilderness was commendable, with the area measuring 32.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats and expanding to 75.7 cubic feet with the seats folded down. The waterproof rear seatbacks and cargo tray enhanced durability, and the LED lighting was a handy addition for nighttime visibility. The robust roof rack supported a dynamic load of 220 pounds, which increased to a 700-pound static load, perfect for rooftop camping setups.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue Platinum’s interior catered to buyers seeking comfort and luxury. Premium semi-aniline leather upholstery with diamond-stitched inserts graced the eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, and a four-way power front passenger seat. Both front seats were heated, and a heated steering wheel added an extra layer of comfort. The Rogue boasted a triple-zone automatic climate control system and a panoramic sunroof, contributing to an airy, well-regulated cabin environment.

Rear seat accommodations in the Rogue nearly matched the Outback's offerings in space, although Nissan’s Zero Gravity seat design, aiming to emulate the natural support astronauts experience in space, was comfortable but fell short of ventilated options. Notably, the rear door's near 90-degree opening facilitated easier loading and unloading of children and cargo. However, the bottom rear seat cushion lacked adequate leg support, which compromised longer rides for rear passengers.

Storage solutions within the Rogue were practical, albeit marred by noise due to an absence of lining in storage spaces. Cargo capacity measured robust with 36.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 74.1 cubic feet when the back seats were folded down. The Divide-N-Hide feature allowed versatile configurations, accommodating various cargo needs.

The substantial cargo capacities of both vehicles highlighted their functional prowess, with the Outback offering more upfront volume while the Rogue provided more nuanced storage solutions and better base capacity.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness came equipped with an 11.6-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen infotainment system that dominated the center console. While physical knobs were retained for volume, tuning, and climate controls, most other functions required interaction with the touchscreen. The voice recognition technology left something to be desired, working well only with specific prompts. However, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto provided better functionality. For an outdoor-oriented vehicle, the absence of a premium sound system like the Harman Kardon one available in other Outback trims was puzzling. The unique PIN code entry system allowed users to leave their keys inside the vehicle securely while engaging in outdoor activities, adding a layer of convenience.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue, however, lagged slightly technologically with its older 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system. It incorporated physical knobs for primary functions and provided good connectivity options, including wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The vehicle also featured a wireless smartphone charging pad and a Bose premium audio system. New for 2023 was the inclusion of Alexa Built-in, although its functionality seemed limited during testing. Voice commands often failed to deliver accurate results, reflecting the need for a more polished system.

The Rogue did excel with a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a head-up display (HUD), offering clear visuals and seamless integration with the driving experience. Despite the shortcomings of the voice recognition technology, users benefited from an overall user-friendly system.

Both vehicles offered comprehensive technology packages but with distinct advantages—the Outback capitalized on its practical PIN code system for outdoor enthusiasts, whereas the Rogue provided robust in-cabin displays and better connectivity options.

Safety was a cornerstone for the 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness, featuring the EyeSight advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS). This Level 2 ADAS included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, lane-centering assistance, and a driver monitoring system. The Wilderness also boasted steering-responsive headlights and a blind-spot warning system. During testing, EyeSight proved adept at maintaining safe distances and keeping the vehicle centered within lanes, though the frequent beeping could become tiresome.

Crash test data specific to the Wilderness trim was unavailable, but standard 2022 Outbacks earned IIHS's "Top Safety Pick+" and a 5-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for 2021, suggesting robust safety credentials.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue was equally committed to safety with 10 airbags, Safety Shield 360, and various driving assistance technologies such as forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-departure warning. Higher trims like the Platinum received ProPilot Assist with Navi-link, combining adaptive cruise control with lane-centering, proving reliable during freeway driving tests.

According to IIHS, the 2023 Nissan Rogue achieved a Top Safety Pick+ rating despite scoring Marginal in the small overlap frontal-impact test and Acceptable in the side-impact test. The NHTSA gave the Rogue a five-star overall rating, reinforcing its safety credentials.

Both vehicles demonstrated excellence in safety, though the Outback Wilderness's scoreless specific crash test ratings dragged down its potential slightly.