2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid vs 2024 Nissan Rogue

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, available in Touring L, Limited, and Pinnacle trims, offered a sleek appearance with the S Appearance Package on the mid-trim Limited. This package added body-colored door handles and exterior mirrors, a gloss black grille surround, and black accents, complemented by 18-inch wheels with a "Foreshadow" finish. The minivan featured a split grille with standard LED headlamps and LED tail lamps spanning the rear. While minivans lacked the allure of SUVs, the Pacifica Hybrid provided practicality with sliding doors and ample cargo space. Inside, the Limited trim had a dark interior with Nappa leather seats and a sophisticated dash design. However, the proximity of the HVAC and audio knobs to the transmission selector dial could cause confusion.

The 2024 Nissan Rogue underwent its first major styling update since its 2021 launch, maintaining the same trim levels: S, SV, SL, and Platinum. The new, larger grille seamlessly integrated with the stack headlights and daytime running lights, while the rear fascia featured redesigned inner taillight elements. The Rogue SV received new 18-inch wheels, while the Platinum boasted 19-inch wheels with a machined finish and additional black exterior trim. Inside, the dashboard was updated to accommodate a new 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, enhancing the Rogue's premium feel. The Rogue SV gained new materials throughout the interior, and the Platinum trim offered leather seats with quilted stitching and a new Chestnut brown color.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid combined a 3.6-liter V6 engine with a 16-kWh battery and two electric motors, making it the only minivan available as a plug-in hybrid. It offered an EPA-rated 32 miles of all-electric range, 520 miles of total range, 82 MPGe, and 30 mpg combined fuel economy. In testing, it exceeded these numbers, achieving 33 miles of electric range and over 550 miles of total range. Charging the battery on a Level 2 home charger took just two hours, while a standard outlet predicted a 14-hour charge time. The Pacifica defaulted to all-electric mode before switching to hybrid, which was efficient in city driving but less so on highways. The plug-in hybrid model was front-wheel drive only and lacked a spare tire and towing package. It delivered 260 horsepower and 230 pound-feet of torque, with a smooth continuously variable automatic transmission and a lower center of gravity for better handling.

The 2024 Nissan Rogue featured a 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine with VC-Turbo technology, allowing it to vary its compression ratio for power or fuel economy. It produced 201 horsepower and 225 pound-feet of torque, outperforming competitors' engines. However, the continuously variable transmission (CVT) was slow to transfer power to the wheels. The Rogue came standard with front-wheel drive, with all-wheel drive available. The suspension in the Rogue Platinum test car felt firmer than expected, affecting ride quality without improving handling. Despite the engine's performance, the exhaust note was less impressive.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid offered features like the FamCam interior camera, heated and cooled front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The driver's seat was comfortable and adjustable, with a soft center armrest. The second-row seats were comfortable but low, and the third row provided enough space for adults. However, the plug-in hybrid lacked Chrysler's flat-fold Stow 'n Go seats due to the battery placement. Cargo space remained at 32.3 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 87.5 cubic feet with seats folded, and 140.5 cubic feet with everything down. The plug-in hybrid also missed out on the built-in vacuum cleaner and heated second-row seats.

The 2024 Nissan Rogue offered competitive passenger space, with differences mainly in legroom. It provided 36.5 cubic feet of cargo space with rear seats in place and 74.1 cubic feet with them folded, less than some rivals but more than others. The optional Divide-N-Hide system allowed for a flat cargo floor with hidden storage or a lower floor for increased cargo height. The Rogue featured a molded-in space for grocery bags and available power and motion-activated liftgates. The center console had a pass-through space and a storage tray at floor level, though accessing it was awkward.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid came with a 10.1-inch touchscreen running Uconnect 5, known for its ease of use and crisp graphics. It included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and dual phone Bluetooth connectivity. The optional rear seat entertainment system added two 10-inch screens for second-row passengers, with streaming capabilities from Amazon Fire TV and HDMI ports. The vehicle had numerous USB-A and USB-C ports, 12-volt outlets, a 115-volt outlet, auxiliary ports, and wireless charging.

The 2024 Nissan Rogue featured an 8-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on lower trims, while SL and Platinum models received a 12.3-inch touchscreen with wireless connectivity, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Amazon Alexa, and Google built-in apps. The Rogue was the first Nissan with Google built-in, offering Google Maps, Assistant, and Play store integration. Connectivity was free for five years, with a data plan required for third-party apps. The dual 12.3-inch screen setup improved graphics and navigation. The Rogue included USB-C ports, charge-only ports, and a wireless charging pad. Nissan Connect Services extended its free trial to three years, offering remote features via a smartphone app.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid included standard safety features like blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, pedestrian automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, rear parking assist, and adaptive cruise control. The forward collision warning system provided visual and audible alerts, while adaptive cruise control offered smooth braking and acceleration. Optional features included parallel parking assist and front and rear parking assist. The 2023 model had not been rated by the NHTSA, but the 2022 version received a five-star overall safety rating. The IIHS gave it Good marks, except for Marginal grades for seat belt reminders and Average grades for headlights and LATCH ease of use.

The 2024 Nissan Rogue received Good ratings from the IIHS in various crash tests and an Acceptable rating in the updated side-impact test. It also earned a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with five stars in side crash tests and four stars in rollover and frontal crash tests. Standard driver assist features included automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, and rear automatic emergency braking. ProPilot Assist, available on higher trims, added automated lane centering for highway driving, with a more advanced version on SL and Platinum trims.