2023 Nissan Rogue vs 2022 Toyota Venza

The 2022 Toyota Venza re-emerged in the market with a modern and elegant design, riding on the proven Toyota New Global Architecture K (TGNA-K) platform. Measuring 186.6 inches in length, 73.0 inches in width, and 65.9 inches in height, the Venza had a sleek and sophisticated exterior that could easily fit into the Lexus lineup. Its deeply scalloped body side and eye-catching tailgate with LED lighting added to its appeal. Inside, the Venza offered a Lexus-like interior with high-quality materials, a layered dash, and a well-placed touchscreen display. The front seats were supportive and comfortable, while the rear seats provided ample space for three adults.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue, with its chiseled styling and rugged SUV detailing, was designed to appeal to a broad audience. Available in S, SV, SL, and Platinum trims, the Rogue offered a range of features and options, including a new Midnight Edition package for the SV trim. The Platinum trim, in particular, came with upscale upgrades like diamond-pattern leather seats and a host of convenience features. However, the Rogue's interior had some drawbacks, such as the low-mounted rear seat cushion and the frustrating design of the remote keyless entry fob. Despite these issues, the Rogue provided good outward visibility and a spacious rear seat with nearly 90-degree opening doors.

The 2022 Toyota Venza featured a 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder gasoline engine paired with three electric motors, producing a combined 219 horsepower. This hybrid setup allowed for electric-only operation for short distances and offered Normal, Eco, and Sport drive modes for varied performance. The Venza's regenerative braking system helped recharge the lithium-ion battery, contributing to its efficiency. With agile handling and a comfortable ride, the Venza was well-suited for family use, though it wasn't designed for aggressive cornering.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue, on the other hand, came with a new turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine, replacing the previous 2.5-liter four-cylinder. This VC-Turbo engine produced 201 horsepower and 225 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). The Rogue offered Eco, Auto, and Sport driving modes, with additional Off-Road and Snow modes for AWD versions. While the new powertrain provided responsive performance in urban settings, it lacked passing power on the highway and had some refinement issues. The Rogue's fuel economy also fell short of expectations, averaging 28.9 mpg in combined driving. However, the Rogue's ride quality and handling were generally good, with features like Intelligent Trace Control and Active Ride Control enhancing its performance.

The 2022 Toyota Venza seated five in two rows, with ample headroom and legroom in both rows. The second row offered 45.2 inches of hip room, making it comfortable for three adults. The Venza's interior featured numerous convenience elements, such as an overhead console with LED map lights, an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat, and an electric parking brake. The cabin also had plenty of storage options, including four cupholders and four bottle holders. The Venza's cargo capacity was 28.8 cubic feet behind the second row, expanding to 55.1 cubic feet with the seats folded flat. Toyota also focused on making the Venza's cabin a quiet and serene space, using sound-blocking and absorbing materials throughout.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue was designed to replace the traditional family car, offering a spacious and practical interior. The Platinum trim came with premium features like a triple-zone automatic climate control system, a dual-panel panoramic sunroof, and semi-aniline leather upholstery. The front seats were comfortable, though the rear seat cushion was low and lacked leg support. The Rogue's rear doors opened to a nearly 90-degree angle, making it easy to load and unload passengers. The cargo area offered up to 36.5 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats, expandable to 74.1 cubic feet with the seats folded down. The Rogue also had plenty of storage options, though some were unlined, potentially causing unwanted noise.

The 2022 Toyota Venza featured a hybrid powertrain that required no special attention from the driver, making it convenient for those without access to charging infrastructure. The Venza's infotainment system included an eight-inch touchscreen on the LE and XLE models, with a 12.3-inch touchscreen available on the Limited trim. The system supported Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa, and Bluetooth connectivity. The Limited trim also offered a nine-speaker JBL audio system, a head-up display, and a digital rearview mirror. Toyota Connected Services provided additional features like Safety Connect, Service Connect, Remote Connect, and WiFi Connect.

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 larger 9-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth connectivity, satellite radio, wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, and a navigation system. It also featured a wireless smartphone charging pad and a Bose premium audio system. However, the voice recognition technology struggled with accuracy, and the remote keyless entry fob design was frustrating. The Rogue Platinum also had a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a head-up display, both of which worked well.

The 2022 Toyota Venza came with the standard Toyota Star Safety System, which included stability control, traction control, anti-lock brakes, electronic brake-force distribution, brake assist, smart stop technology, and a rearview camera. The Venza also had eight airbags, three-point seatbelts for all seating positions, and LATCH lower anchors for child safety seats. The Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 (TSS 2.0) suite of driver aids included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert, automatic high beams, lane tracing assist, and road-sign assist. The Venza received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue was equipped 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 trim levels offered ProPilot Assist with Navi-link, combining adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance. The Rogue earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS for the 2022 calendar year, though it received Marginal and Acceptable scores in updated crash 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.