2023 Dodge Durango vs 2024 Nissan Rogue

The 2023 Dodge Durango, entering its 12th model year without a redesign, maintained a familiar yet attractive appearance. It eschewed the faux ruggedness of some competitors, opting for clean, car-like styling with slim lines and forward-leaning headlights. The absence of oversized grilles and the presence of Dodge's signature "racetrack" taillights at the rear gave it a distinctive look. The SRT 392 and SRT Hellcat models featured subtle unique styling cues, such as a Viper-like hood and unique wheels, but retained a similar shape to the standard models. The interior, while not as distinctive as the exterior, offered a pleasant environment with materials appropriate for the price point, and higher trims added luxurious features like Nappa leather upholstery and heated seats.

The 2024 Nissan Rogue received its first major styling update since the 2021 model year, maintaining its lineup of S, SV, SL, and Platinum trims. It featured a new, larger grille that blended well with its distinctive stack headlights and daytime running lights. The rear fascia saw minor changes, with redesigned inner taillight elements. The Rogue SV received new 18-inch wheels, while the Platinum trim boasted 19-inch wheels and more black exterior trim. Inside, the Rogue's dashboard was updated to accommodate a new 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, giving it a more premium feel. The Rogue Platinum's interior, with leather seats and quilted stitching, felt upscale and well-appointed for its segment.

The 2023 Dodge Durango offered a range of powertrains, starting with a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine producing 293 horsepower (295 hp with dual exhaust) and 260 pound-feet of torque. This engine was standard on the SXT, GT, and Citadel trims. The 5.7-liter Hemi V8, standard on the R/T and optional on the Citadel, delivered 360 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque. The SRT 392 model featured a 6.4-liter Hemi V8 with 475 hp and 475 lb-ft of torque, achieving 0-60 mph in 4.4 seconds. The SRT Hellcat, with a 6.2-liter supercharged V8, produced 710 hp and 645 lb-ft of torque, reaching 0-60 mph in 3.5 seconds. The Durango's performance was impressive, especially in the Hellcat variant, though its size made it less agile on twisty roads.

The 2024 Nissan Rogue's powertrain was a standout feature, with a 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine producing 201 horsepower and 225 pound-feet of torque. This VC-Turbo engine could vary its compression ratio for power or fuel economy. Despite its impressive engine, the Rogue's continuously variable transmission (CVT) was slow to transfer power to the wheels. The Rogue's suspension felt firmer than competitors, affecting ride quality without improving handling. While the engine's performance was commendable, the exhaust note was less appealing.

The 2023 Dodge Durango offered seven-seat or six-seat configurations, with standard front bucket seats, a second-row bench, and a third-row bench on SXT, GT, and R/T models. The Citadel, SRT 392, and SRT Hellcat models featured second-row captain's chairs. Interior space was competitive with other three-row midsize SUVs, though cargo space was less than some rivals, with 17.2 cubic feet behind the third row, 43.3 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 85.1 cubic feet behind the first row. The Durango excelled in towing capacity, with V6 models towing up to 6,200 pounds and V8 models up to 8,700 pounds.

The 2024 Nissan Rogue offered nearly identical passenger space to competitors like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4, with slight differences in legroom. The Rogue's cargo space was 36.5 cubic feet with the rear seats in place and 74.1 cubic feet with them folded, less than a CR-V or Tucson but more than a Forester. The optional Divide-N-Hide system allowed for flexible cargo configurations. The Rogue's center console featured a pass-through space, though accessing the storage tray at floor level was awkward.

The 2023 Dodge Durango featured an 8.4-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay/Android Auto on SXT and GT models, while the Citadel and SRT models had a 10.1-inch touchscreen with wireless connectivity. The Uconnect infotainment system was responsive and user-friendly, with added personality for SRT models. The Performance Pages app provided performance data, and a 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system was available on the SRT Hellcat.

The 2024 Nissan Rogue's lower trims had an 8-inch touchscreen with wired connectivity, while SL and Platinum models featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and Google built-in apps. The Rogue was the first Nissan to offer Google built-in, integrating Google Maps, Assistant, and Play store. The dual 12.3-inch screen setup was a significant improvement, though the touchscreen was occasionally slow to boot up. Nissan Connect Services offered a three-year free trial for remote features.

The 2023 Dodge Durango received mixed safety ratings, with "Good" marks in some IIHS tests but a "Marginal" score in the driver-side small overlap front test. The NHTSA gave it a four-star overall rating, with five stars in side crash tests. Standard driver-assist features were limited, with more advanced features only available on higher trims.

The 2024 Nissan Rogue received top "Good" ratings in several IIHS tests and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. Standard driver-assist features included automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and lane departure warning. ProPilot Assist, available on higher trims, offered advanced driver assistance with lane centering and navigation-based speed adjustments.