2023 Kia Sportage vs 2022 Nissan Rogue

The 2023 Kia Sportage dramatically transformed from its predecessors, presenting a fresh and somewhat French-inspired design. This new look, which could easily fit into a lineup of French automakers like Renault or Citroen, was both exciting and exotic. Its distinctive exterior features such as the bold boomerang-shaped daytime running lights (DRLs) framing a unique grille, and the textured metal trim on the D Pillar, added a touch of elegance. The Sportage was available in seven trims: LX, EX, SX, SX Prestige, X-Line, X-Pro, and X-Pro Prestige.

Kia also rethought the interior, transitioning from animal-based leather to a more durable synthetic leather upholstery. The base LX trim featured cloth seats, but higher trims included a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, maintaining a luxurious feel. The driver's visibility from the front seat was enhanced by a large windshield and relatively low beltline. However, some design choices like hard plastic materials and fingerprint-prone piano-black plastic detracted slightly from the premium feel.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue carried forward its mature, redesigned look from the previous year, aligning with the latest Nissan design ethos seen in models like the Pathfinder. Key exterior features included the V-motion grille, multi-level LED headlights with daytime running lights, and LED fog lamps on higher trims. Active grille shutters and underbody covers improved airflow, with a stylish floating roof and subtly bulging liftgate completing its refined aesthetics.

Inside, the Rogue boasted a sophisticated, layered dash design with distinct horizontal layers. High points included an electronic gear selector lever, creating more space on the center console, and a storage area under it. With large cupholders, a wireless charging pad, and ample storage options, the Rogue's interior was both functional and stylish. The center infotainment display was prominently placed for easy access, and the seating, particularly the Zero Gravity bucket-style front seats, offered exceptional comfort.

The 2023 Kia Sportage was available with a 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder engine delivering 187 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. This engine was offered with both front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD). Despite being more powerful than the previous model, the 2023 Sportage lacked the turbocharged engine previously available, which had delivered a zestier 240 horsepower. Fuel efficiency was decent, with EPA ratings of 25 mpg city and 32 highway for FWD, and 23/28 for AWD.

The introduction of X-Line and X-Pro trims added rugged visual cues and off-road features, like all-terrain tires and additional drive modes. However, the naturally aspirated engine felt underwhelming compared to competitors, and the X-Pro's off-road enhancements compromised its on-road comfort due to higher ground clearance and all-terrain tires.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue benefitted from a new 1.5-liter VC-Turbo engine with 201 horsepower and 225 lb-ft of torque. This three-cylinder engine employed variable compression technology, optimizing performance and fuel efficiency by adjusting the size of the combustion chamber. The Rogue’s fuel economy was impressive, with EPA ratings of 30 mpg city, 37 highway, and 33 combined. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) featured wider gear ratios for better acceleration and responsiveness.

The Rogue's chassis and suspension offered a smooth, controlled ride with minimal body roll, complemented by good steering feel and a tight turning radius. This setup provided a balanced and enjoyable driving experience, making daily commutes and long drives equally pleasant.

The 2023 Kia Sportage grew significantly larger than its predecessor, with an additional 7.1 inches in overall length and a 3.4-inch longer wheelbase. This increase in size translated to a more spacious interior, particularly in rear-seat legroom which measured an impressive 41.3 inches. The cargo area provided 39.6 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats and expanded to 74.1 cubic feet with the seats folded down.

The Kia's front cabin offered typical storage solutions like a cubby ahead of the shifter, two tandem cupholders, and a roomy center console bin. However, the overcomplication of basic functions with touch-sensitive controls for the HVAC system could be frustrating to use while driving.

In the 2022 Nissan Rogue, Nissan masterfully utilized every inch of space to offer practical storage solutions. The front cabin featured bottle holders, cupholders, a glove compartment, a center console bin, a tray beneath the console, and multiple dash cubbies. Rear passengers also had ample storage options, including door bins and a center armrest with cupholders. The Rogue's cargo space ranged from 31.6 to 36.5 cubic feet depending on configuration, expanding to 74.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded flat, matching the Sportage's maximum cargo capacity.

The 2023 Kia Sportage impressed with its technology suite. EX-and above trims featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen interface and a paired 12.3-inch driver display in higher trims, presenting a visually stunning and tech-forward cabin. Wireless charging, USB-C ports, navigation, SiriusXM, and HD Radio were standard on trims above LX, with a Harman Kardon stereo system included in top trims. However, the lack of wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay on the higher trims and the confusingly similar screen icons were drawbacks.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue continued its technological advancement with a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, a 9-inch center touchscreen, and a 10.8-inch head-up display available on higher trim levels. Its navigation system integrated with Google Maps and Waze, and wireless Apple CarPlay was included in upper trims. Nissan’s ProPilot Assist combined with navigation, allowing for semi-autonomous driving features like predictive speed control based on upcoming road conditions, showcased advanced driver-assist capabilities.

The 2023 Kia Sportage came loaded with standard safety features such as automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assist, lane-following assist, lane-departure warning, and rear backup sensors. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control. The SX Prestige and X-Pro Prestige trims included advanced features like blind-view monitor and highway driving assist, albeit these were not available on lower trims. Neither the NHTSA nor the IIHS had yet crash-tested the 2023 Sportage.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue featured Nissan Safety Shield 360 across all trims, including automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, high beam assist, and rear automatic braking. Additional safety features like blind spot intervention and traffic sign recognition were available. ProPilot Assist offered Level 2 driver assistance, managing acceleration, braking, and steering, and could bring the vehicle to a complete stop and resume movement in traffic. The 2022 Rogue earned a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with the IIHS granting the 2021 model a Top Safety Pick+ rating.