2023 Nissan Rogue vs 2022 Toyota RAV4

Toyota introduced the RAV4 to North America in 1996, targeting young buyers who needed a smaller alternative to the trend of oversized SUVs. As the original "Recreational Active Vehicle with 4-Wheel Drive" debuted, it quickly paved the way for a slew of car-based SUV competitors, including the Honda CR-V and Nissan Rogue. Despite such competition, the RAV4 evolved through five generations, growing in size and sophistication, ultimately shaking its "cute-ute" label to become a mature crossover SUV.

The 2022 RAV4, a continuation of its 2019 redesign, excelled in amalgamating current crossover vehicle aesthetics with its distinct details. At first glance, it seamlessly blended with other crossovers, but a closer look revealed sharp lines and angular flourishes, making it stand out. The Kabuki-like front fascia, expressive headlights, and geometric patterns in the wheel arches radiated a playful yet aggressive demeanor. The traditional Toyota fit-and-finish added a premium feel to the exterior.

Inside, the 2022 RAV4 featured a thoughtfully layered dashboard with contrasting textures and colors. The uncomplicated center stack held a well-placed touchscreen for minimal driver distraction. Throughout the cabin, intricate geometric patterns echoed in various components, including the 19-inch matte gray alloy wheels, unifying the design elements. The interior successfully mixed comfort with utility, making it a top contender in the crossover segment.

For the 2023 model year, Nissan played it safe with the Rogue’s design, ensuring it maintained wide appeal with proper proportions and rugged detailing. This approach was strategic, given that few buyers would opt for a vehicle they found aesthetically unpleasing. Nissan offered the Rogue in S, SV, SL, and Platinum trims, with pricing ranging from $27,360 to $37,140, before adding a $1,295 destination charge, plus several optional packages and a new Midnight Edition for the SV trim.

The tested Platinum trim, loaded with options like two-tone paint, a frameless rearview mirror, and interior accent lighting, elevated its MSRP to an impressive $43,100. This pricing encroached on the territory of entry-level luxury SUVs like the Infiniti QX50 but justified itself with luxurious upgrades such as diamond-pattern leather seats and high-quality materials touching surfaces frequently handled by drivers and passengers.

A hallmark of the Platinum trim was the exemplary fit-and-finish, exemplified by soft-touch materials and precise control layouts. Despite the Rogue’s high price, certain features like its comfortable leather seats, although plush, lacked a more luxurious touch like ventilated front seats offered by some competitors. Yet, the Rogue managed to project an upscale, sophisticated image, appealing to a broad spectrum of customers.

The 2022 Toyota RAV4 offered a trio of powertrains to cater to diverse driving needs. The gasoline-only model, focused on for this review, housed a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, it offered both front-wheel (FWD) and optional all-wheel (AWD) drive, with fuel efficiencies ranging 27-28 mpg city/35 mpg highway for FWD and slightly less for AWD.

Additionally, the RAV4 Hybrid utilized the same 2.5-liter engine coupled with an electric motor, achieving 217 combined net horsepower and an EPA-rated 41 mpg city/38 mpg highway. The highlight was the RAV4 Prime plug-in hybrid, packing a 2.5-liter engine with an 18.1 kWh battery, totaling 302 horsepower and allowing 42 miles on electric power alone, achieving a staggering 94 MPGe combined.

In everyday conditions, the gasoline Adventure AWD model performed reliably. The naturally aspirated engine delivered smooth, turbo-lag-free power, matched perfectly with the eight-speed transmission, which provided responsive performance, especially noticeable during highway overtakes. Moreover, the RAV4's true four-wheel independent suspension ensured it retained the car-like handling beloved by many drivers. The fine-tuned AWD system and Multi-Terrain Select further enhanced its off-road and dynamic handling capabilities.

Nissan transformed the powertrain of the Rogue for 2022, replacing the previous 2.5-liter engine with a revolutionary 1.5-liter VC-Turbo three-cylinder engine. This innovative powertrain, producing 201 horsepower and 225 pound-feet of torque, worked alongside a continuously variable transmission (CVT), optimizing performance and fuel efficiency. Although CVTs often receive criticism for their handling, the Rogue’s setup attempted to address those concerns with paddle shifters and simulated gear changes.

The new engine offered robust performance, particularly around town. However, it struggled to deliver adequate passing power on highways. Additionally, drivers might find the engine’s peculiar sound and slight vibrations unsettling, characteristics inherent to its three-cylinder format. Fuel efficiency was another mixed bag; despite EPA expectations of 31 mpg combined, real-world performance fell short at 28.9 mpg during testing.

Notably, the Rogue's modification with brake-induced ride quality enhancements like Intelligent Trace Control and Active Ride Control improved cornering and ride smoothness. The suspension system ensured a balanced ride, though the steering feedback felt lifeless, dampening the overall practical driving experience. Nevertheless, it handled local speed bumps superbly and maintained a commendable balance between ride comfort and body control.

The 2022 Toyota RAV4, despite being classified as a small SUV, offered superb storage capabilities. It boasted 37.5 cubic feet of luggage space with the second row upright, expanding to an impressive 69.8 cubic feet with the seats folded flat. Payload capacity varied from 1,050 to 1,230 pounds, depending on the configuration, while towing capacities ranged from 1,500 pounds in basic trims up to 3,500 pounds in the Adventure and TRD Off-Road variants.

Inside, the RAV4 provided ample space for four adults and could accommodate a fifth passenger in a pinch. The front seats offered plenty of legroom, hip room, shoulder room, and headspace, while the second row, despite not being the most enviable for the middle seat, was functional for short trips. Abundant storage options, from cupholders to a roomy glove compartment and center console storage, enhanced the RAV4’s practicality.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue excelled as an efficient family vehicle, particularly suited for those transitioning from midsize cars. Four occupants could travel comfortably, with enough space for a fifth when necessary. Platinum trims featured high-end amenities such as triple-zone automated climate control and a dual-panel panoramic sunroof. Front seats, wrapped in diamond-stitched leather, were heated and provided excellent comfort except for the lack of passenger height adjustment.

Storage was both generous and well thought out in the Rogue. With rear seats in place, the cargo space measured 36.5 cubic feet, expanding to 74.1 cubic feet with the seats folded, slightly more than the RAV4. Nissan’s Divide-N-Hide system further enhanced cargo space versatility, although the Rogue’s storage compartments lacked lining, potentially causing noise from stored items.

Starting with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, the 2022 RAV4 featured a six-speaker audio setup and compatibility with Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and Apple CarPlay. Higher trims upgraded to a 9-inch touchscreen and an 11-speaker JBL audio system with navigation in Limited models and the RAV4 Prime XSE. The RAV4 Prime also featured comprehensive tech options, including five USB ports, multiple power outlets, a Qi-compatible wireless charging pad, and advanced camera and head-up display systems.

Safety tech was also robust, featuring Toyota's Safety Sense 2.0 suite, which included adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alerts, and pre-collision systems. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alerts, and front/rear parking assists with automatic braking.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue offered an 8-inch touchscreen on standard models and a 9-inch screen on higher trims. It supported wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, satellite radio, and a Bose premium sound system. NissanConnect services provided Wi-Fi hotspot and navigation capabilities, though Alexa integration proved problematic during testing. The digital instrumentation and head-up display worked effectively, though the infotainment’s reliability was hindered by inconsistent voice recognition.

For safety, the Rogue featured a comprehensive suite called Safety Shield 360, including automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. Higher trims offered ProPilot Assist, integrating adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assistance, and sophisticated parking aids, proving effective in highway driving scenarios.

The RAV4 came equipped with Toyota's Star Safety System, boasting features like enhanced vehicle stability control, traction control, anti-lock brakes, electronic brake-force distribution, brake assist, and smart stop technology. Child safety measures included LATCH anchors and child-guard locks, complemented by extensive airbag coverage. Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 added advanced crash avoidance technologies, with standard pre-collision systems, lane-assist, and adaptive cruise control on all models. High grades added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alerts. The RAV4 secured top safety ratings from both IIHS and NHTSA, ensuring peace of mind.

The 2023 Rogue provided standard safety features including 10 airbags, rear-seat reminders, and the comprehensive Safety Shield 360 suite, encapsulating collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and other aids. Higher trims introduced ProPilot Assist, offering adaptive cruise control and lane-centering. ProPilot Assist performed reliably during evaluations despite some minor system activation delays. The Rogue also achieved top marks from both IIHS and NHTSA, though it revealed some weaknesses in certain updated crash tests.