2024 Nissan Rogue vs 2023 Ford Bronco

The 2023 Ford Bronco was a standout with its retro-cool styling and modern engineering, offered in nine distinct trim levels. Its blocky, upright shape, wide horizontal grille, and big round headlights were unmistakable, even from afar. The Base trim had a primitive charm with steel wheels and minimal adornment, while the Raptor trim showcased its top-tier status with a wide stance, elevated height, and massive tires. The Heritage trim added a nostalgic touch with a white grille, roof, and wheels, along with plaid seat upholstery. The Bronco's design was not just for aesthetics; functional elements like cleats above the headlights and raised "fins" helped secure cargo and provided better visibility of the vehicle's corners. Inside, the Bronco continued its rugged theme with a broad dash, sealed switches, and waterproof materials, making it easy to clean after off-road adventures. The interior was more about durability than luxury, with sturdy handholds and customizable features, though some creaking was noted over bumps.

The 2024 Nissan Rogue received its first major styling update since its 2021 launch, maintaining its lineup of S, SV, SL, and Platinum trims. A new, larger grille complemented the stack headlights and daytime running lights, while the rear fascia saw minor changes. The Rogue SV featured new 18-inch wheels, and the Platinum trim boasted 19-inch wheels with a machined finish 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 SV received new materials throughout the interior, and the Platinum trim offered leather seats with quilted stitching. The upscale interior design of the Rogue Platinum made it feel worthy of its top-tier status, with leather upholstery that felt appropriate for its segment.

The 2023 Ford Bronco offered three engine choices, starting with a 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque, available with a seven-speed manual or a 10-speed automatic transmission. The optional 2.7-liter V6 engine increased power to 330 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque, paired only with the automatic transmission. The top-tier Bronco Raptor featured a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 delivering 418 hp and 440 lb-ft of torque. All Broncos came with four-wheel drive and a two-speed transfer case. The base four-cylinder engine was adequate for most driving scenarios, while the Raptor's engine offered exhilarating power. The Bronco's ride quality was bouncier than typical SUVs but more stable than a Jeep Wrangler, with better highway tracking and a quieter interior. Despite its off-road focus, the Bronco handled well on curving roads, and maneuvering the larger four-door model was aided by several cameras.

The 2024 Nissan Rogue featured a 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine, part of Nissan's VC-Turbo lineup, capable of varying its compression ratio for power or fuel economy. It produced 201 horsepower and 225 pound-feet of torque, outperforming some competitors' engines. However, the continuously variable transmission (CVT) was slow to transfer power to the wheels, and the Rogue's suspension felt firmer than expected, affecting ride quality without improving handling. The Rogue was quiet, but its droning exhaust note was less impressive. While the engine's performance was commendable, the overall driving experience fell short compared to rivals.

The 2023 Ford Bronco's boxy shape provided ample interior space, with the four-door model offering easier access to rear seats. The two-door model had 22.4 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 52.3 cubic feet with seats folded, while the four-door offered 35.6 cubic feet, expandable to 77.6 cubic feet. However, the rear seats didn't fold flat, creating a step-up that hindered sliding longer cargo. The Bronco's design allowed for easy removal of fenders and doors, enhancing its off-road capabilities.

The 2024 Nissan Rogue offered competitive passenger space, with slight differences in legroom compared to rivals. It provided 36.5 cubic feet of cargo space with rear seats in place and 74.1 cubic feet with seats folded. The optional Divide-N-Hide system allowed for flexible cargo configurations, and a molded space for grocery bags added convenience. The Rogue's center console featured a pass-through space, though accessing the storage tray was awkward.

The 2023 Ford Bronco integrated technology to enhance its off-road capabilities, with G.O.A.T. drive modes optimizing settings for various terrains. Numerous camera views aided in navigating tight spaces, and the Trail Turn Assist feature allowed for sharp turns. The Bronco also offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with an available 12-inch infotainment display.

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 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 improved the infotainment experience, though the system was occasionally slow to boot. Nissan Connect Services extended its free trial period, offering features like remote door lock/unlock and vehicle health reports.

The 2023 Ford Bronco received partial safety ratings, with the four-door model earning four stars for frontal crash protection and three stars for rollover protection from NHTSA. IIHS awarded it "Good" ratings in most crashworthiness tests. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and hill-start assist. Optional packages added features like blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control.

The 2024 Nissan Rogue received top "Good" ratings from IIHS in several crash tests and a five-star overall safety rating from 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.