2023 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2023 Nissan Rogue

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe continued the design language from its predecessor with a conservative yet attractive approach. It featured practical and sophisticated elements like thin LED headlights and prominent grilles that define the Hyundai aesthetic. With trim levels ranging from the SE to the luxurious Calligraphy, the Santa Fe catered to various consumer needs, all uniform in offering a subtle yet appealing external appearance. The Calligraphy, especially with its Stormy Sea color, upheld a high-end feel with a monochromatic, quality interior, although the overall interior could feel somewhat plain without the optional beige or gray color schemes that add necessary contrast. Conversely, the 2023 Nissan Rogue flaunted a robust and purposeful design that appealed to the SUV market looking for something both rugged and handsome. Offered in S to Platinum trims, the Rogue was versatile in function and style, with additional packages such as the Midnight Edition enhancing its visual appeal. The Platinum trim, as tested, provided a luxury feel that somewhat overlapped with pricier segments, highlighted by refined interiors, including soft, diamond-pattern leather seats, promoting a more sophisticated user experience than its predecessor.

Hyundai’s 2023 Santa Fe boasted a choice between a naturally aspirated and a turbocharged 2.5-liter engine. The turbocharged option in higher trims, like the Calligraphy, delivered impressive performance metrics with 281 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, coupled with an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. This setup provided an exhilarating ride with rapid acceleration and effective drive-mode customization, offering both comfort and agility on various terrains, though it remained largely unused in off-road scenarios. The Nissan Rogue presented a different approach with its 1.5-liter VC-Turbo three-cylinder engine, achieving 201 horsepower and demonstrating notable efficiency mixed with adequate power for city driving. Its CVT transmission complemented the engine well, allowing responsive city driving and modest highway performance, albeit with some noticeable lack during overtaking maneuvers. The Rogue shined in ride quality, absorbing road imperfections commendably, though its handling feedback left some room for improvement.

In the form and function arena, the Santa Fe excelled with generous interior space, offering 41.7 inches of rear legroom and up to 72.1 cubic feet of cargo space with the second row folded. This made the Santa Fe exceptionally practical for families or those requiring significant cargo capacity without the compromise of a cramped third row. The Rogue also performed well in practicality but focused more on urban and suburban usability. It offered 36.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row and up to 74.1 cubic feet with the seats down, comparable to the Santa Fe. Rear passenger comfort in the Rogue was less impressive, particularly with lower seat positioning and less supportive cushions, contrasting with the more comfortable and supportive seating at the front.

Hyundai equipped the Santa Fe with robust technology, including a standard 10.25-inch touchscreen in most trims, supporting both wired and wireless connectivity features, complemented by a Harman Kardon audio system in higher trims. The infotainment system was comprehensive, although navigating some settings required deeper menu exploration. The Rogue’s older infotainment system, while functional, lagged behind in user interface design but offered essential features like a 9-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The integration of Alexa Built-in and other modern functionalities attempted to bridge the gap, yet some operational inconsistencies were noted during testing.

Both SUVs were well-equipped with advanced safety features. The Santa Fe came with a full suite of Hyundai’s SmartSense safety technologies, contributing to its high safety ratings from both NHTSA and IIHS. Particularly, features like the rear-seat reminder and safe-exit warning system emphasized Hyundai's focus on occupant safety. The Rogue was similarly equipped with Nissan’s Safety Shield 360, providing comprehensive coverage that ensured peace of mind. While it also performed well in safety tests, certain crash test ratings from IIHS showed room for improvement, particularly compared to the stellar scores of the Santa Fe.