2023 Nissan Ariya vs 2023 Nissan Rogue

The 2023 Nissan Ariya showcased a modern and striking design, aligning with the trend of innovative styling seen in top-tier electric vehicles. Its smooth, oval shape, devoid of creases and angles, set it apart from traditional gas-powered SUVs. The front featured thin LED headlights and a black space mimicking Nissan’s “V-Motion” design, while the rear boasted a thin taillight spanning the width, reminiscent of the 2023 Lexus NX. Inside, the Ariya impressed with its beautiful craftsmanship, minimal use of hard plastic, and a simplistic dashboard. Dual 12-inch monitors provided necessary information, and the illuminated haptic buttons added a modern touch. The interior felt open and airy, thanks to the absence of a transmission tunnel, although the armrest height difference was a minor discomfort.

In contrast, the 2023 Nissan Rogue maintained a more traditional design, with proper proportions and chiseled styling that conveyed a rugged sense of purpose. The Rogue lineup included S, SV, SL, and Platinum trims, with prices ranging from $27,360 to $37,140, plus a destination charge. Our test vehicle, a Platinum trim with the Premium package, reached an MSRP of $43,100, overlapping with entry-level luxury models. The Platinum trim offered upscale features like diamond-pattern leather seats and soft-touch surfaces. However, the Rogue’s design choices, such as the black plastic key fob with subtle markings, showed a lack of thoughtfulness. Despite these quirks, the Rogue provided a good balance of ride compliance and body control, making it a reliable choice for families.

The 2023 Nissan Ariya offered a range of trims, starting with the Engage FWD, featuring a 63-kWh battery and a 160-kW motor producing 214 horsepower. The Engage AWD added an extra motor for all-wheel drive, while the Engage+ AWD and other “+” trims received an 87-kWh extended-range battery. The Venture+ FWD, with a 178-kW motor, delivered 238 horsepower. The top-tier Platinum+ AWD boasted a dual-motor powertrain with 389 horsepower and 442 pound-feet of torque, achieving a 0-60 mph time of 4.8 seconds. The Ariya’s performance was commendable, with quick steering and well-managed body roll. It offered three drive modes: Eco, Standard, and Sport, with the latter providing a temporary performance boost. The FWD Ariya averaged 3.5 miles per kWh, translating to over 300 miles of range, while the AWD version achieved 3.0 miles per kWh, equating to around 260 miles.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue, on the other hand, featured a new turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine with a variable compression design, producing 201 horsepower and 225 pound-feet of torque. The CVT, paired with paddle shifters, powered the front wheels, with optional AWD available. The Rogue offered Eco, Auto, and Sport driving modes, with AWD versions adding Off-Road and Snow modes. While the VC-Turbo powertrain improved urban and suburban responsiveness, it lacked highway passing power. The engine’s character, with its unusual note and vibration, might not appeal to all drivers. The Rogue’s fuel economy fell short of expectations, averaging 28.9 mpg compared to the EPA’s 31 mpg estimate. Despite these drawbacks, the Rogue’s ride quality and cornering enhancements, such as Intelligent Trace Control and Active Ride Control, contributed to a secure handling character.

The 2023 Nissan Ariya benefited from its ground-up EV architecture, offering a spacious interior with ample legroom for both front and rear passengers. However, headroom in the back was slightly compromised by the large sunroof. The Ariya’s cargo space measured 59 cubic feet, comparable to the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Ford Mustang Mach-e but less than the Nissan Rogue. The Ariya featured innovative interior elements, such as a powered bin under the center stack and a power-adjustable center console. These features, along with the drive modes and auto-parking function, were controlled via haptic buttons, which required some pressure to operate in the pre-production test vehicle.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue served as a practical family car replacement, accommodating four people comfortably, with the option to fit a fifth person in the back seat. The Platinum trim offered premium features like a triple-zone automatic climate control system, a dual-panel panoramic sunroof, and heated front seats with Zero Gravity designs. However, the rear seat comfort was lacking, with a low-mounted cushion and diamond-shaped pleats that felt uncomfortable. The Rogue’s storage space was plentiful, with a hands-free power liftgate revealing up to 36.5 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 74.1 cubic feet with the back seats folded. The Divide-N-Hide feature allowed for versatile cargo area configurations.

The 2023 Nissan Ariya stood out with its tech-forward approach, featuring dual 12-inch displays for driver information and infotainment. The screens were crisp and bright, with a seamless connection between them. Wireless Apple CarPlay was standard, while Android Auto required a wired connection. Most trims included a head-up display, and Alexa compatibility allowed the Ariya to function as an extension of a connected home. The infotainment system was user-friendly and modern, enhancing the Ariya’s appeal as a tech-savvy vehicle.

In contrast, the 2023 Nissan Rogue used an older infotainment system with an 8-inch or optional 9-inch touchscreen. The test vehicle had the larger screen, along with Bluetooth, satellite radio, wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, and a navigation system. The Rogue also featured a wireless charging pad and a Bose premium audio system. However, the Alexa Built-in system struggled with voice recognition, limiting its functionality. Despite these issues, the Rogue offered a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a head-up display, both of which performed well during testing.

The 2023 Nissan Ariya expanded its tech-focused approach to safety, introducing ProPilot Assist 2.0 on the Empower+ and Platinum+ trims. This system offered hands-free driving capabilities and lane-change assist, using HD map data and a driver-monitoring camera. All Ariya models came with automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, a driver-attention monitor, and traffic-sign recognition. However, the Ariya had not yet been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue boasted a comprehensive suite of safety features, including 10 airbags, a rear-seat reminder system, and Safety Shield 360. This package included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and more. Higher trims offered ProPilot Assist with Navi-link, combining adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance. The Rogue earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, although it received lower scores in specific crash tests.