2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe vs 2023 Nissan Rogue

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe lineup expanded to six trim levels, including the base trim, 30th Anniversary, Trailhawk, Overland, Summit, and Summit Reserve. Prices started at $61,660, with the Summit Reserve costing $80,320 before upgrades. Our test vehicle, a Trailhawk trim, featured a panoramic sunroof, Luxury Tech Group II, and Advanced ProTech Group II, bringing the MSRP to $72,630. A federal income tax credit of $3,750 could reduce the cost to $68,880. The Trailhawk was identifiable by its sky blue exterior detailing, matte-black hood decal, unique wheels, and Trail Rated badge. However, the interior fell short of luxury expectations, with excessive plastic and glossy surfaces that attracted dust and fingerprints.

In contrast, the 2023 Nissan Rogue featured proper proportions, chiseled styling, and SUV detailing that conveyed a rugged sense of purpose. The lineup included S, SV, SL, and Platinum trim levels, with prices ranging from $27,360 to $37,140, plus a $1,295 destination charge. Our test vehicle, a Platinum trim with the Premium option package, AWD, and various upgrades, had an MSRP of $43,100. The Platinum trim offered upscale features, including soft, diamond-pattern leather seats and high-quality materials. However, the drivetrain lacked passing power on the highway, and the engine's character might not appeal to everyone.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe featured a plug-in hybrid powertrain combining a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with a 17.3-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack and an 8-speed automatic transmission. This setup produced 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque, with a towing capacity of up to 6,000 pounds. The Trailhawk had a standard 4WD system with a two-speed transfer case, Selec-Terrain technology, and a height-adjustable air suspension. It offered 25 miles of all-electric range and 23 mpg in combined driving. However, during testing, it only achieved 21.2 miles of electric range and 19.3 mpg in hybrid mode. The Trailhawk excelled off-road but had issues with drivetrain power delivery, regenerative braking, and body lean during daily driving.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue, on the other hand, featured a turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine with variable compression design, producing 201 horsepower and 225 pound-feet of torque. The CVT included paddle shifters, and the Rogue offered Eco, Auto, and Sport driving modes, with AWD versions adding Off-Road and Snow modes. The Rogue felt responsive in urban and suburban driving but lacked passing power on the highway. The engine's character might not appeal to everyone, and the test vehicle averaged 28.9 mpg, falling short of the EPA's 31 mpg estimate. The Rogue's suspension provided a good balance of ride compliance and body control, but the steering felt lifeless.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe had limited practical storage and cargo space due to its off-roading hardware. The Trailhawk featured eight-way power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, but the seats were firm and flat. Rear legroom was tight, and the rear seat cushion lacked support. The Grand Cherokee offered 37.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the back seat and 70.8 cubic feet with the seats folded down, which was small for a midsize SUV.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue, designed as a family car replacement, provided ample space for four people and could accommodate a fifth person when necessary. The Platinum trim featured premium semi-aniline leather upholstery, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The Rogue's rear doors opened to a nearly 90-degree angle, making it easy to load and unload. However, the rear seat was uncomfortable, with a low-mounted cushion and diamond-shaped pleats. The Rogue offered 36.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the back seat and 74.1 cubic feet with the seats folded down, along with Nissan's Divide-N-Hide feature for versatile cargo configurations.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe boasted up to six screens, including a 10.3-inch digital instrumentation panel, a 10.3-inch front passenger infotainment screen, and a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The Uconnect 5 system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, a navigation system, and Jeep Connect services. However, the graphics and low-contrast display made it harder to read. The Trailhawk also had an Alpine premium sound system and optional wireless smartphone charging and a camera-based digital rearview mirror.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue used an older infotainment system with an 8-inch or 9-inch touchscreen display. The test vehicle had the larger 9-inch screen, Bluetooth connectivity, satellite radio, wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, NissanConnect services, and a navigation system. It also featured a wireless smartphone charging pad and a Bose premium audio system. However, the voice recognition technology struggled with certain commands. The Rogue also had a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a head-up display, both of which worked well.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe came equipped with adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and a reversing camera with rear parking sensors. The Trailhawk added active blind-spot monitoring, intersection assist, a surround-view camera, front parking sensors, automatic reverse braking, and a Night Vision system. The Grand Cherokee 4xe received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, though the latter did not specifically test the 4xe version.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue included 10 airbags, a rear-seat reminder system, and Safety Shield 360, which comprised forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, rear automatic braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. Higher trims offered ProPilot Assist with Navi-link, combining adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance. The Rogue earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though it received four stars for driver and front passenger protection in a frontal-impact collision.