2023 Nissan Rogue vs 2023 Acura MDX

When consumers shopped for a new 2023 Acura MDX, they found both standard and Type S versions, each with trim packages that increased the amount of equipment. The standard MDX came in a base level with available Technology, A-Spec, and Advance packages, while the MDX Type S was offered in standard spec or with an Advance package. Prices ranged from $49,550 to $73,200, plus a destination charge of $1,195. The test vehicle arrived in Type S Advance trim with extra-cost Apex Blue Pearl paint and an Orchid (white) interior, bringing the MSRP to $74,995. Despite the high price, the MDX Type S set different expectations for quality, luxury, and driving dynamism, but it missed the mark in some respects.

The fourth-generation MDX was the first Acura SUV to wear the Type S badge, and it featured subtle design elements like chicane-design LED running lights and taillights, LED headlights with automatic high-beam operation, and 21-inch wheels. A panoramic sunroof was standard, and the Type S Advance added open-pore wood and a leather-wrapped dashboard. However, the body tapering at the doors sometimes made it look like the MDX had a massive dent on the side, and the gloss black plastic on the dashboard made some controls challenging to find and use. Despite these nit-picks, the MDX Type S was fundamentally an attractive luxury SUV.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue lineup included S, SV, SL, and Platinum trim levels, with prices ranging from $27,360 to $37,140, plus a $1,295 destination charge. The SV, SL, and Platinum trims were available with optional Premium packages, while the new Midnight Edition package was exclusive to SV trim. The test vehicle arrived in Platinum trim with the Premium option package, AWD, two-tone paint, and several other upgrades, inflating the MSRP to $43,100. This price overlapped with the most affordable version of the Infiniti QX50, but the Platinum trim offered a long list of upscale upgrades, including soft, supple, diamond-pattern leather seats and high-quality materials.

The Rogue's design featured proper proportions, handsomely chiseled styling, and just the right amount of SUV detailing to convey a rugged sense of purpose. The Platinum trim's interior was luxurious, with many soft-touch surfaces and high-quality controls. However, the Rogue's drivetrain lacked passing power on the highway, and the engine's unusual note and vibration through the accelerator pedal might have come across as a lack of refinement to some drivers. Despite these issues, the Rogue was an appealing vehicle with a good balance of ride compliance and body control.

The 2023 Acura MDX Type S was unique due to its turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine, generating 355 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque. This was an increase of 65 hp and 87 lb-ft over the standard 3.5-liter V6. However, the Type S also weighed 285 pounds more than the lightest standard MDX with AWD. The twin-scroll turbo V6 engine used a 10-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters to power all four wheels through Acura's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD). This system could put up to 70 percent of total engine output to a single rear wheel, enhancing cornering performance.

The MDX Type S featured an Integrated Dynamics System with Snow, Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Sport+ driving modes, as well as an exclusive Lift mode to increase ground clearance. However, the performance upgrades didn't gel into a cohesive whole, and the MDX Type S never felt like an extension of its driver. The transmission was indecisive, the ride compliance was lacking, and the brake pedal modulation was poor. The engine didn't offer a substantial increase in power over the standard V6, making its dismal fuel economy harder to accept. On the evaluation route, the MDX Type S averaged 16.9 mpg, falling short of the official EPA rating of 19 mpg in combined driving.

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 rpm to 4,000 rpm. The engine was paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) with paddle shifters, and the Rogue offered Eco, Auto, and Sport driving modes. AWD versions also had Off-Road and Snow modes. The new powertrain felt responsive in urban and suburban driving situations, but the drivetrain lacked passing power on the highway.

The Rogue's fuel economy was rated at 31 mpg in combined driving by the EPA, but the test vehicle averaged 28.9 mpg on the evaluation loop. The Rogue employed brake-induced ride quality and cornering enhancements, including Intelligent Trace Control and Active Ride Control. The suspension design featured a strut-type front and multi-link rear, and the test vehicle had 19-inch alloy wheels. The Rogue demonstrated a good balance of ride compliance and body control, but the steering felt lifeless, and the all-season tires provided modest grip.

The 2023 Acura MDX offered three rows of seats with a choice of two or three second-row seating positions, plus a cargo area with lots of usable floor space. The test vehicle had all available upgrades, including a triple-zone automatic climate control system and 16-way power-adjustable front seats with heating, ventilation, and massage. The seats were wrapped in quilted leather upholstery, but the driver's seat felt firm and didn't hold the driver in place as well as expected. The second-row seat could be configured for pass-through access to the third row, but the third row was best for children due to its tight squeeze for adults.

The MDX's cabin prioritized style over storage space, with a small bin under the front center armrest and a touchpad interface that took up valuable space. The cargo area offered 18.1 cubic feet of space behind the third row, 39.1 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 71.4 cubic feet with both rear rows folded flat. The Type S Advance trim included a hands-free liftgate with a Walk Away Close function, making it convenient for loading and unloading cargo.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue was designed as a replacement for the traditional family car, offering a higher driving position, available AWD, and a larger cargo area. The test vehicle had 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 were comfortable, but the rear seat lacked leg support and felt like sitting on bubble wrap. The Rogue's rear doors opened to a nearly 90-degree angle, making it easy to load and unload passengers.

Storage space was plentiful throughout the Rogue, but most locations were unlined, causing unwanted noise and vibration. The hands-free power liftgate revealed up to 36.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the back seat, and the Divide-N-Hide feature allowed for six different cargo configurations. Folding the back seats down created up to 74.1 cubic feet of volume, and underfloor storage areas were included.

The 2023 Acura MDX featured a Digital Precision Cockpit with a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 12.3-inch infotainment display. However, the infotainment screen wasn't touch-sensitive and required the use of a True Touchpad Interface (TTI) on the center console. The TTI design took up valuable space and partially blocked the wireless charging pad. The MDX included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa Built-In, but the native voice recognition system was frustrating to use.

The test vehicle had the top-shelf Signature Edition ELS Studio 3D audio system with 25 speakers, delivering clear and distortion-free sound. The Advance package added a 10.5-inch head-up display (HUD) showing navigation instructions, driving assistance status, and current vehicle speed. However, the traffic sign recognition system occasionally misread signs, causing concern.

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 with a door-to-door function. The Rogue also included a wireless smartphone charging pad and a Bose premium audio system. Alexa Built-In was new for 2023, but the voice recognition technology struggled with basic commands.

The test vehicle also had a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a head-up display (HUD), both of which worked well. However, the voice recognition system's inability to handle simple requests was a significant drawback.

The 2023 Acura MDX included Acura Watch, a collection of driving assistance and collision avoidance systems. These features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, adaptive cruise control, and Traffic Jam Assist. The MDX also had blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, front and rear parking sensors, low-speed automatic braking, and a surround-view camera system.

The MDX earned good crash-test ratings, with the IIHS naming it a Top Safety Pick+ and the NHTSA giving it an overall five-star rating. However, the MDX experienced a false collision warning during the evaluation drive, which was concerning.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue came with 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. The Rogue also offered ProPilot Assist with Navi-link, combining adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance.

The Rogue earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. However, it received Marginal and Acceptable scores in updated versions of the small overlap frontal-impact test and the side-impact test, respectively.