2024 Nissan Rogue vs 2023 Land Rover Defender

The 2023 Land Rover Defender was a standout in the Land Rover lineup, outselling the Discovery by a significant margin. Its boxy design, reminiscent of the old LR4, appealed to customers who preferred a classic Land Rover look over the Discovery's more Ford-like appearance. The Defender's design was characterized by its square-jawed face, rectangular hood and doors, and abruptly chopped tail, all of which contributed to its classic truck aesthetic. Tasteful accents, such as the dome and faux-metal step plates on the hood, skylights along the roof, and body-color squares separating the side glass, paid homage to the original 1980s Defender. The Defender was available in three body styles: the short two-door 90, the medium-length four-door 110, and the extended-length four-door 130, offering a range of choices for consumers.

Inside, the Defender maintained a focus on function and durability, with most of the interior coated in rubbers and plastics designed to resist stains and wick moisture. Despite its high price, the interior was basic and barren, with exposed screws and plain-looking air vents. The build quality and fit were excellent, but the Defender lacked the opulence of a Range Rover. The Defender's hardcore character remained intact, appealing to those who valued its unique identity. However, the high price tag, especially for models like the Defender 110 V8 Carpathian Edition, was seen as excessive by some, though its popularity suggested that many buyers were willing to overlook this.

The 2024 Nissan Rogue received its first major styling update since its 2021 launch, maintaining its lineup of S, SV, SL, and Platinum trims. The new, larger grille blended well with the stack headlights and daytime running lights, which were distinctive features of the Rogue. While the rear fascia was updated, the changes were subtle, with redesigned inner taillight elements. The Rogue SV grade received new 18-inch wheels, while the Platinum model featured new 19-inch wheels with a machined-finish look and more black exterior trim. The Platinum grade also offered an optional black roof, enhancing its aesthetic appeal.

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 models received new materials on nearly every interior surface, including the door panels, seats, center console, and dashboard. The upscale interior design of the Rogue Platinum test car, with leather seats and quilted stitching, contributed to its premium feel. The Rogue's leather upholstery was of high quality, adding to the overall nicely appointed cabin, making it a strong contender in its segment.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender was a formidable off-road vehicle, showcasing incredible grip, wheel articulation, and clearance. Its air suspension allowed it to tackle challenging trails with ease, though most owners were unlikely to use its full off-road capabilities. On-road, the Defender's performance was less impressive, with excessive body roll, slow steering, and noticeable wind noise. The turbocharged inline-six and supercharged V8 engines provided strong performance, with the V8 delivering 518 horsepower and 461 pound-feet of torque. The six-cylinder engine, part of a 48-volt mild hybrid powertrain, offered 395 hp and 406 lb-ft, providing a balance of power and efficiency. The Defender's fuel economy varied, with the four-cylinder engine rated at 17 mpg city, 20 mpg highway, and 18 mpg combined, while the V8 returned 14/19/16 mpg.

The 2024 Nissan Rogue featured a 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine, part of Nissan's VC-Turbo lineup, which varied its compression ratio for power or fuel economy. With 201 horsepower and 225 pound-feet of torque, the Rogue's engine outperformed many competitors in its class. However, the continuously variable transmission (CVT) was slow to transfer power to the wheels, detracting from the engine's performance. The Rogue's suspension was firmer than expected, impacting ride quality without improving handling. Despite these drawbacks, the Rogue was quiet, and its engine performance was commendable, though the exhaust note was less impressive.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender excelled as an everyday SUV, offering unmatched seating configurations. The Defender 90 could seat six with a jump seat, while the 110 offered an optional third row, and the 130 had a standard third row for up to eight seats. The Defender's large glass areas provided excellent visibility, and the 130 featured a panoramic moonroof. Cargo space varied by model, with the 130 offering 77 cubic feet with seats folded, while the 90 and 110 provided 58 and 79 cubic feet, respectively. The Defender's versatility extended to its off-road capabilities, with options for off-road or all-season tires, a metal roof rack, and various accessories.

The 2024 Nissan Rogue offered competitive passenger space, with differences mainly in legroom compared to rivals. The Rogue's cargo space was 36.5 cubic feet with rear seats in place and 74.1 cubic feet with them folded, less than some competitors but more than others. The optional Divide-N-Hide system allowed for flexible cargo configurations, and the Rogue featured a molded-in space for grocery bags. The center console offered additional storage, though accessing it could be awkward.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender featured two touchscreen infotainment systems running Pivi Pro software, with a standard 10-inch screen and an optional 11.4-inch screen. Both screens were quick and easy to operate, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a voice assistant, and navigation as standard. The Defender S trim added heated 12-way power seats and a Meridian stereo, while higher trims offered additional features like air suspension, adaptive cruise control, and a head-up display.

The 2024 Nissan Rogue's lower-level S and SV models came with an 8-inch touchscreen, while SL and Platinum models received a larger 12.3-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Rogue was the first Nissan to feature Google built-in software, integrating Google Maps, Assistant, and Play store apps. The dual 12.3-inch screen setup improved the infotainment experience, though the touchscreen was occasionally slow to boot up. The Rogue offered multiple USB ports and a wireless charging pad on higher trims, with an extended free trial period for Nissan Connect Services.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender had not been rated by U.S. agencies but received a five-star rating from Euro NCAP. It featured six airbags, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic emergency braking. Optional safety features included a digital instrument panel, head-up display, and 360-degree camera system.

The 2024 Nissan Rogue received top safety scores from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and lane departure warning. ProPilot Assist, available on higher trims, offered advanced driver assistance with automated lane centering and adaptive cruise control.