2023 Nissan Rogue vs 2022 Volvo XC90

Volvo had come a long way from its boxy cars and wagons of the past decades. The brand maintained its family-friendly, safety-oriented image while moving upscale, nearing the luxury class. After Ford sold Volvo to China's Zhejiang Geely Holding in 2010, the company developed new vehicle platforms, leading to the current lineup of sedans and crossover SUVs. The original XC90, launched in 2003, received updates until 2015. The 2016 model marked the debut of the current XC90, Volvo's flagship SUV, built on the Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform.

The 2022 XC90 had a striking stance and sleek profile, with a body that seemed ready to launch forward. Its long roofline and pronounced wheel arches emphasized athleticism, while the snub nose recalled the classic 245 wagon's upright grille. The interior, described as "Scandinavian Modern" and "Swedish Luxury," featured natural wood and metal trim, a sliding wood tambor cover on the center console, and a clear crystal gear selector handle. Volvo's commitment to going leather-free by 2030 was evident, though Nappa leather was still available for those who preferred it.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue, with its proper proportions and chiseled styling, conveyed a rugged sense of purpose. The lineup included 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. Our test vehicle, a Platinum trim with the Premium option package, AWD, and various upgrades, had an MSRP of $43,100, overlapping with the entry-level Infiniti QX50.

The Platinum trim featured diamond-pattern leather seats, soft-touch surfaces, and high-quality controls and materials. The Rogue's design aimed to appeal to a broad audience, ensuring it remained a popular choice. The vehicle's overall look and feel were critical in attracting buyers who valued aesthetics and functionality.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrains: the T5 with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, the T6 with a supercharged and turbocharged version of the same engine, and the T8 plug-in hybrid with a combined gasoline and electric powertrain. The T5 produced 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, while the T6 delivered 316 hp and 295 lb-ft. The T8 combined for 455 hp and 523 lb-ft of torque. The T5 models were front-wheel drive (FWD) with optional all-wheel drive (AWD), while the T6 and T8 were AWD only. All models used an eight-speed automatic transmission.

The XC90's fuel economy varied by model, with the T5 FWD achieving 21 mpg city/30 mpg highway/25 mpg combined, and the T5 AWD at 20 mpg city/28 mpg highway/23 mpg combined. The T6 AWD was rated at 19 mpg city/27 mpg highway/22 mpg combined. The T8 had a combined rating of 27 mpg on gas and 55 MPGe with an 18-mile EV range. The extended range variant offered 26 mpg combined, 66 MPGe, and up to 36 miles of EV range. Charging the battery took about five hours at 240 volts (Level 2). The XC90's driving experience was superb, with minimal body roll and spirited acceleration, especially in the T8 Inscription extended range model.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue featured a new turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine with variable compression design, replacing the previous 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. The VC-Turbo engine produced 201 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 225 pound-feet of torque from 2,800 to 4,000 rpm. The continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) included paddle shifters, and the engine powered the front wheels, with optional AWD available. The Rogue offered Eco, Auto, and Sport driving modes, with AWD versions adding Off-Road and Snow modes.

The new VC-Turbo powertrain provided responsive performance in urban and suburban settings, though it lacked passing power on the highway. The engine's unusual note and vibration through the accelerator pedal might not appeal to all drivers. The EPA estimated the Rogue's fuel economy at 31 mpg combined, but our test vehicle averaged 28.9 mpg. The Rogue's ride quality and handling were generally good, with Intelligent Trace Control and Active Ride Control enhancing the driving experience. However, the steering felt lifeless, and the all-season tires provided modest grip.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 offered six-passenger and seven-passenger configurations, with easy access to the third row via a one-handed slide and fold of the second row. The third row was suitable for kids but lacked legroom and thigh support for adults. The XC90 provided 15.9 cubic feet of luggage space behind the third row, 41.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and up to 85.7 cubic feet with both the second and third rows folded. The SUV could tow between 4,000 and 5,000 pounds, depending on the configuration. The XC90's interior featured ample storage, comfortable seating, and a standard laminated panoramic moonroof. The air-conditioning system performed well during a heat wave, providing a comfortable environment.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue served as a practical family car replacement, accommodating four people comfortably and a fifth person when necessary. Our Platinum test vehicle included a triple-zone automatic climate control system, a dual-panel panoramic sunroof, and premium semi-aniline leather upholstery with diamond-stitched inserts. The front seats featured Nissan's Zero Gravity design, providing comfort, though height adjustment for the front passenger was lacking. The Rogue's rear doors opened to a nearly 90-degree angle, making it easy to load and unload passengers. The rear seat offered ample space but lacked comfort, with a low-mounted bottom cushion and diamond-shaped pleats that felt like bubble wrap.

The Rogue provided 36.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the back seat, expandable to 74.1 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Divide-N-Hide feature allowed for six different cargo area configurations, and underfloor storage areas added to the practicality. However, most storage locations were unlined, potentially causing unwanted noise and vibration.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 featured the Sensus infotainment system, which offered tablet-like functionality with familiar gestures. However, the system in our test car was glitchy and slow to respond. Connecting an iPhone 11 Pro and using Apple CarPlay improved performance. The nine-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen was mounted close to the driver's line of sight, minimizing distraction. A 12.3-inch digital instrument panel provided easy configuration and crisp graphics. The $1,650 Advanced package included a head-up display, a 360-degree surround view camera system, and an advanced air cleaner. The XC90 came with standard Harman Kardon Premium Sound, with a $3,200 Bowers & Wilkins upgrade available. The SUV included two front USB-A ports, two rear USB-C ports, a WiFi hotspot, and the Volvo Care smartphone app.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue used an older version of Nissan's infotainment system, with a standard 8-inch or available 9-inch touchscreen display. Our test vehicle had the larger 9-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth connectivity, satellite radio, wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, NissanConnect services, a WiFi hotspot, and a navigation system. It also featured a wireless smartphone charging pad and a Bose premium audio system. Alexa Built-in was new for 2023 but did not perform well in our tests. The Rogue also had a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a head-up display, both of which worked well.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 continued the brand's commitment to safety, with features like blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, parking assist, rain-sensing wipers, slippery road alert, lane-keeping aid, adaptive cruise control, oncoming lane mitigation, and road-sign recognition. Volvo's Pilot Assist system combined several safety features to keep the car in its lane and at a set speed with minimal driver intervention. The XC90 received the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ designation and a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA.

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 IIHS for 2022 and a five-star overall rating from NHTSA, though it received lower scores in updated crash tests.