2023 Mazda CX-30 vs 2024 Nissan Rogue

The 2023 Mazda CX-30 offered two distinct models, the 2.5 S and the 2.5 Turbo, both equipped with a six-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. The 2.5 S featured a 191-horsepower engine, while the 2.5 Turbo boasted up to 250 horsepower. The CX-30's design was characterized by a long hood and dramatic flanks, giving it a nose-heavy appearance, accentuated by excessive gray body cladding. Inside, the CX-30's cabin was upscale and elegant, with quality materials and a tasteful combination of colors, especially in the 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus trim.

In contrast, the 2024 Nissan Rogue received its first major styling update since its 2021 launch, maintaining the same trim levels: S, SV, SL, and Platinum. The Rogue's new design included a larger grille and redesigned taillight elements, with the Platinum trim featuring more black exterior trim and an optional black roof. Inside, the Rogue's dashboard was updated to accommodate a new 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, giving it a more premium feel. The Rogue Platinum test car featured leather seats with quilted stitching, contributing to its upscale interior design.

The 2023 Mazda CX-30 2.5 S models gained five horsepower for a total of 191, with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 186 pound-feet of torque. The turbocharged version offered 250 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque on premium gas, or 227 hp and 310 lb-ft on regular gas. Both engines were paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD. The CX-30's suspension was soft, providing a comfortable ride, but it struggled with speed bumps and had a small 12.7-gallon fuel tank, limiting its range. Despite these drawbacks, the CX-30 excelled on twisty roads, thanks to its G-Vectoring Control Plus technology and excellent steering.

The 2024 Nissan Rogue featured a 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine with 201 horsepower and 225 pound-feet of torque, outperforming many competitors. However, its CVT transmission was slow to transfer power to the wheels, and the suspension was firmer than expected, affecting ride quality. The Rogue was quiet on the road, but its droning exhaust note was less impressive. While not marketed as a driver's car, the Rogue's engine performance was a highlight, though it didn't translate to superior handling.

The 2023 Mazda CX-30 offered standard dual-zone automatic climate control, an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat, and heated front seats. However, the front passenger seat had limited adjustability, and rear legroom was tight. The CX-30 provided 20.2 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 45.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. Storage options were reasonable, but the lack of underfloor storage and cargo organization features was a drawback.

The 2024 Nissan Rogue provided nearly identical passenger space to its competitors, with slight differences in legroom. It offered 36.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats in place and 74.1 cubic feet with them folded. 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 had a pass-through space for added flexibility, though accessing it was somewhat awkward.

The 2023 Mazda CX-30's Mazda Connect infotainment system had three significant flaws: the lack of a touchscreen, non-conversational voice recognition, and no tuning knob. These issues detracted from an otherwise well-integrated 8.8-inch display with pleasing graphics. The CX-30 included Bluetooth, HD Radio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and connected services, with Turbos adding SiriusXM, navigation, and a Bose sound system.

The 2024 Nissan Rogue featured an 8-inch touchscreen on lower trims, with SL and Platinum models getting a 12.3-inch touchscreen and digital instrument cluster. It was the first Nissan to offer Google built-in software, integrating Google Maps, Assistant, and Play Store. The Rogue provided multiple charging options, including USB-C ports and a wireless charging pad. Nissan Connect Services offered a three-year free trial, enabling features like remote door lock/unlock and vehicle health reports.

The 2023 Mazda CX-30 received a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS, with improved side-impact crash protection. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring, a surround-view camera, and Traffic Jam Assist. The CX-30's safety systems generally worked well, though a forward-collision warning event seemed excessive during testing.

The 2024 Nissan Rogue earned top "Good" ratings from the IIHS in several crash tests and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. Standard driver assist features included automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross traffic alert. ProPilot Assist, available on higher trims, offered automated lane centering for highway driving, though it required driver attention. The advanced version used navigation data to slow for curves and interchanges.