2022 Volvo XC60 vs 2023 Nissan Rogue

Volvo had made subtle yet effective styling changes for the 2022 XC60. An updated front fascia featuring “air blades” on either side of the grille gave the vehicle a sportier look. The rear bumper was redesigned to conceal the tailpipes, and new wheel designs were introduced across all models. The front grille was also tweaked, moving sensors for the driver-assist systems behind the heated Volvo logo to ensure functionality in cold weather. Built on the versatile Scalable Product Architecture (SPA), shared with the XC90 and several sedan models, the XC60 offered a balance of elegance and subtlety. The interior, largely unchanged from previous models, was marked by a new digital instrument cluster. Highlights included a portrait-oriented touchscreen and minimalistic design. Our test model, the B6 R-Design, stood out with aluminum mesh speaker grilles and elaborately textured seats. The XC60 Inscription trim took luxury a step further with Nappa leather upholstery and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. The 2023 Nissan Rogue featured intelligently proportioned and chiseled styling, with a rugged design that appealed to buyers. The lineup ranged from the budget-friendly S trim to the luxurious Platinum trim, offering various premium packages for customization. Our Platinum test vehicle included AWD, two-tone paint, a frameless rearview mirror, floor mats, a cargo area protector, interior accent lighting, exterior ground lighting, illuminated kick plates, and a first-aid kit, pushing its MSRP to $43,100. This price point placed it in entry-luxury territory, overlapping with the Infiniti QX50. The Platinum trim's most notable features were its soft, supple, diamond-pattern leather seats and high-quality material use throughout the interior.

For the 2022 model year, Volvo introduced new B5 and B6 mild-hybrid powertrains to replace the prior T5 and T6 engines. Both setups featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with a 48-volt electrical system and integrated starter generator, providing an additional 13 horsepower in short bursts. The B6 variant also included an electric supercharger. The XC60 B5 had an output of 258 hp and 247 lb-ft of torque, while the B6 offered 295 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. Both versions used an eight-speed automatic transmission, with the B5 available in FWD or AWD and the B6 exclusively in AWD. Although slightly reduced from the previous year's models, the B5 accelerated from 0-60 mph in 6.5 seconds (6.6 seconds with FWD), and the B6 did it in 5.9 seconds. The mild-hybrid system's smooth power delivery and calm driving experience were standout features. The XC60 Recharge plug-in hybrid boosted power to 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque, reaching 0-60 mph in 5 seconds, while the Polestar Engineered variant increased output to 415 hp and 494 lb-ft, dropping the 0-60 mph time to 4.9 seconds and featuring performance upgrades like Öhlins adjustable dampers and Akebono brakes. The 2023 Nissan Rogue's current-generation model, released as a 2021 version, initially had a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a CVT. For the 2022 model year, Nissan introduced a new 1.5-liter three-cylinder turbocharged engine with its exclusive variable compression design, producing 201 hp at 5,600 rpm and 225 lb-ft of torque from 2,800 to 4,000 rpm. The new powertrain, paired with a CVT, featured paddle shifters and multiple driving modes, including Eco, Auto, and Sport. AWD models added Off-Road and Snow modes. While the 2023 Rogue's VC-Turbo engine was appreciated for its responsiveness in urban driving, it lacked passing power on the highway and produced some unusual vibrations and noise. Fuel economy fell short of expectations, with our test vehicle averaging 28.9 mpg compared to the EPA's 31 mpg combined rating. Nissan's Intelligent Trace Control and Active Ride Control helped improve ride quality and handling, though the Rogue's steering felt lifeless. The SUV demonstrated good balance and predictability, making it a dependable choice for daily driving.

The 2022 XC60's interior dimensions remained unchanged, providing competitive passenger space within its segment. Front-seat headroom was above average, though rear-seat headroom was tied with the Audi Q5 for the lowest in its class. Legroom was average in both rows. The mild-hybrid models offered 21.6 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats in place and 49.8 cubic feet with them folded down. The plug-in hybrid models offered slightly less cargo capacity at 21.1 cubic feet and 49.3 cubic feet, respectively. Despite the reduced cargo space compared to other luxury crossovers, the XC60 offered good forward and rear visibility, with large exterior mirrors aiding the driver. The 2023 Rogue was designed to replace traditional family cars with its SUV attributes, offering higher ground clearance, better visibility, and larger cargo space than a midsize car like the Nissan Altima. The Rogue could comfortably seat four adults, with room for a fifth in a pinch. Our Platinum model came with advanced features such as triple-zone automatic climate control, a dual-panel panoramic sunroof, power-adjustable front seats with semi-aniline leather upholstery, and heated front seats and steering wheel. However, the rear seats were less comfortable, mounted low with inadequate leg support and unangling cushion textures. Cargo space was robust, offering 36.5 cubic feet behind the second row and up to 74.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. The Rogue's Divide-N-Hide feature provided versatile cargo configurations, and an available hands-free power liftgate made loading and unloading easier.

Volvo's XC60 received a tech upgrade in 2022 featuring a 9-inch touchscreen running the Android Automotive operating system, bordered by a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Bluetooth, and a built-in WiFi hotspot. Available upgrades included a head-up display and premium audio systems from Harman Kardon or Bowers & Wilkins. The Android-based infotainment system integrated Google Assistant for voice control and Google Maps for navigation, along with over-the-air software updates. Apple users were also supported, although they couldn’t sync their profiles with the system. The interface’s sideways-swipe layout optimized screen space while graphics were clear and user-friendly. In contrast, the 2023 Nissan Rogue used an older generation infotainment system with an 8-inch base screen or an available 9-inch touchscreen. Our test vehicle had the larger screen, Bluetooth, satellite radio, wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, and a navigation system, alongside a wireless smartphone charging pad and a Bose premium audio system. Alexa Built-in was new for 2023, yet the voice recognition struggled with processing simple commands and points of interest accurately. The vehicle also featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a head-up display, both of which functioned well overall.

The 2022 Volvo XC60 retained high safety standards, though 2022 crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were pending. The 2021 model had achieved the IIHS’s Top Safety Pick+ and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with strong performance in frontal and side crash tests and a four-star rating in rollover tests. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, post-collision braking, driver-attention monitoring, traffic-sign recognition, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. New additions for 2022 included Ready to Drive Notification and Emergency Stop Assist. Volvo’s Pilot Assist, combining adaptive cruise control and automated lane-centering, was available in an option package. The 2023 Nissan Rogue was well-equipped with safety features, including 10 airbags, a rear-seat reminder system, Safety Shield 360 (forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, rear automatic braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights), and NissanConnect services, which offered collision notifications and safe driver monitoring. Higher trims featured ProPilot Assist with Navi-link, combining adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance. ProPilot Assist performed well during evaluation, providing accurate and helpful driving support with minimal driver irritation. The 2023 Rogue earned a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ from IIHS, though it scored lower in updated small overlap and side-impact tests.