2023 Nissan Rogue vs 2023 Audi Q5

The 2023 Audi Q5 showcased a blend of subtle curves and angular accents, creating a look that was both classy and sporty. It was available in two body styles: the regular Q5 SUV and the Q5 Sportback, which featured a sloping rear roofline for a sleeker silhouette. Despite the general dislike for "coupelike" styling, the Q5 Sportback stood out with a spoiler-like element above the taillights, providing a more defined transition from hatch to tail section. Inside, the Q5 offered a refined yet simple layout, though its age was beginning to show. Standard features included leather seating and heated front seats, with options for a heated steering wheel and rear seats. The 10-inch touchscreen was a notable feature, but the materials, while good, no longer felt as special compared to newer non-luxury competitors. The Q5's build quality was solid, with no squeaks or creaks, making it a reliable choice among luxury SUVs.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue, on the other hand, featured proper proportions and chiseled styling, giving it a rugged yet appealing look. The Rogue lineup included S, SV, SL, and Platinum trims, with prices ranging from $27,360 to $37,140, plus a $1,295 destination charge. The Platinum trim, which we tested, came loaded with features like AWD, two-tone paint, and a host of interior and exterior upgrades, pushing its MSRP to $43,100. This trim level offered upscale touches like diamond-pattern leather seats and soft-touch materials, making it competitive with entry-level luxury SUVs. However, the Rogue's engine note and some vibrations through the accelerator pedal might have been off-putting to some drivers. Despite these quirks, the Rogue's overall design and feature set made it a strong contender in the compact SUV segment.

The 2023 Audi Q5 offered three engine choices. The base 40 TFSI was a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder producing 201 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque. The midrange 45 TFSI increased output to 261 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque and was the sole engine for the Q5 Sportback. The 55 TFSI was a plug-in hybrid powertrain (PHEV) delivering 362 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, with an estimated 23 miles of electric-only range. All Q5s came with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and standard Quattro all-wheel drive (AWD). However, the 45 TFSI engine in our Q5 Sportback test vehicle had a noticeable delay in power delivery, likely due to the slow-reacting transmission, making initial acceleration feel sluggish. Once underway, the power was adequate, but planning was necessary for passing slower traffic. Handling was sporty and precise, instilling confidence on curvy roads, though more spirited drivers might prefer the higher-performing SQ5. The Q5 balanced compliance and cornering well, with a quiet cabin that met luxury SUV standards.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue, meanwhile, featured a new turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine with variable compression design, replacing the previous 2.5-liter four-cylinder. This VC-Turbo engine produced 201 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 225 pound-feet of torque from 2,800 to 4,000 rpm. Paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) with paddle shifters, the engine powered the Rogue's front wheels, with optional AWD available. The Rogue offered Eco, Auto, and Sport driving modes, with additional Off-Road and Snow modes for AWD versions. The new powertrain felt responsive in urban and suburban settings, though it lacked passing power on the highway. The engine's unusual note and some vibrations through the accelerator pedal might have been off-putting to some drivers. Fuel economy was slightly below expectations, with our test vehicle averaging 28.9 mpg compared to the EPA's 31 mpg estimate. The Rogue's ride quality and handling were generally good, with Intelligent Trace Control and Active Ride Control enhancing cornering and ride comfort. However, the steering felt lifeless, and the all-season tires provided modest grip.

The 2023 Audi Q5's interior design had remained largely unchanged since its 2018 redesign, but it had aged well. The infotainment touchscreen was placed atop the dash for easy visibility, and traditional dials and buttons were provided for climate controls. Outward visibility was good, aided by a narrowly profiled front roof pillar and better-than-average rear visibility. The front seats offered ample space for taller passengers, and the rear seats could accommodate six-footers comfortably, even in the Sportback model. Storage options were plentiful but oddly sized, with a shallow pocket under the climate controls and a narrow slot to the side. The wireless phone charger was on a sliding tray covering the cupholders, which were heated and cooled in the top trim. The door pockets were the most accommodating, capable of holding larger drink bottles. Cargo space was 25.8 cubic feet behind the rear seats, dropping slightly to 24.7 cubic feet in the Sportback. Competitors like the BMW X3 and Genesis GV70 offered more cargo space, while the Porsche Macan had less.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue, designed as a replacement for the traditional family car, worked well for this purpose. It comfortably fit four people, with the option to carry a fifth in the middle of the back seat. Our Platinum test vehicle came with features like a triple-zone automatic climate control system, a dual-panel panoramic sunroof, and premium semi-aniline leather upholstery with diamond-stitched inserts. Both front seats were heated and featured Nissan's Zero Gravity design, though height adjustment for the front passenger was lacking. Outward visibility was good, thanks to large side mirrors and thin windshield pillars. However, the remote keyless entry fob was difficult to use in low light due to its low-contrast design. The rear doors opened to a nearly 90-degree angle, making it easy to load and unload kids. The back seat was roomy but not very comfortable, with a low-mounted bottom cushion and diamond-shaped pleats that felt like sitting on bubble wrap. Storage space was plentiful but unlined, potentially causing unwanted noise. The hands-free power liftgate revealed up to 36.5 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 74.1 cubic feet with the back seats folded down. The Divide-N-Hide feature allowed for six different cargo configurations, and underfloor storage areas were included.

The 2023 Audi Q5 came standard with a 10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen featuring sharp graphics and relatively quick responses, though it took a while to boot up and activate Apple CarPlay. Both CarPlay and Android Auto were available wirelessly in all Q5 trims. A Bang & Olufsen audio system was standard on higher trims. The on-screen buttons in Audi's native infotainment system were large and easy to read, but the app buttons in Apple CarPlay were smaller and closer together, making them harder to use. The Q5 could be monitored remotely via a smartphone app, allowing for features like unlocking and temperature pre-conditioning. This Audi Connect Care service was included for a limited-time subscription, after which a fee was required. Mid-range trims featured a customizable digital instrument panel that provided a lot of information when needed.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue, however, used an older version of Nissan’s infotainment system, with a standard 8-inch or available 9-inch touchscreen display paired with stereo volume and tuning knobs and easily accessible main menu buttons. Our test vehicle had the larger 9-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth connectivity, satellite radio, wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, NissanConnect services with access to a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a navigation system with a door-to-door function via a smartphone app. It also had a wireless smartphone charging pad and a Bose premium audio system. Alexa Built-in was new for 2023 and standard in the Rogue Platinum, though the voice recognition technology struggled with basic commands. The test vehicle also featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a head-up display (HUD), both of which worked well. However, the HUD was not tested with polarized sunglasses due to weather conditions.

The 2023 Audi Q5 received five out of five stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for overall, frontal, and side protection, and four stars in rollover tests. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the Q5 its highest score of "Good" in all crashworthiness tests and named it a Top Safety Pick+. Standard safety features included forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, a blind-spot monitor, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and front and rear parking sensors. The Premium Plus trim added lane-keep assist, a surround-view camera system, and traffic jam assist. The top Prestige trim included matrix-design LED headlights, a head-up display, a semi-automated parking system, and a traffic sign reader. Rear-seat side impact airbags were optional on all trims.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue came with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including 10 airbags, a rear-seat reminder system, and Safety Shield 360. This included forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, rear automatic braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. NissanConnect services offered a short complimentary subscription to automatic collision notification, emergency assistance calling, and safe teen driver technology. Additional features included a surround-view camera, active blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and a driver monitoring system. Higher trims offered ProPilot Assist with Navi-link, combining adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance. ProPilot Assist worked well on Los Angeles-area freeways, though there was a lag in activation. The system impressed with its accuracy and ability to operate in the background, though braking could be abrupt when other vehicles cut in. The 2023 Rogue earned a Top Safety Pick+ 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 frontal-impact collisions.