2023 Chevrolet Equinox vs 2023 Nissan Rogue

The 2023 Nissan Rogue was a prime example of a vehicle that balanced conservative design with appealing aesthetics. Its proportions were well-adjusted, exuding a sense of ruggedness without going overboard. With handsomely chiseled styling and sophisticated SUV detailing, the Rogue managed to attract buyers who sought a visually pleasant and robust vehicle. The lineup included S, SV, SL, and Platinum trim levels, with prices ranging from $27,360 to $37,140, excluding a $1,295 destination charge. Among these, the SV, SL, and Platinum trims had optional Premium packages, and the new Midnight Edition package was exclusive to the SV trim.

The Platinum test vehicle came loaded with the Premium option package, AWD, two-tone paint, and numerous other enhancements that brought its MSRP to $43,100. This price point transcended into the entry-luxury territory, overlapping with the Infiniti QX50, Nissan's luxury brand. However, the Platinum trim justified its cost with upscale features like soft diamond-pattern leather seats, quality touch surfaces, and premium controls that matched the compact SUV segment's standards.

Likewise, the 2023 Chevrolet Equinox, although not as bold as some of its competitors, retained an attractive presence. Its restrained bodywork managed to look clean and refreshing, especially when contrasted with the industry trend of enormous front fascias. The new paint options for 2023, such as Radiant Red Tintcoat, Blue Glow Metallic, and Harvest Brown Metallic, added a refreshing appeal to the Equinox. Chevrolet offered the Equinox in four trim levels: LS, LT, RS, and Premier, all of which could be equipped with either FWD or AWD.

The Premier trim test vehicle featured handsome two-tone leather upholstery, standard heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. However, the interior design appeared somewhat dated compared to its rivals, with a small touchscreen and many plastic buttons. Despite this, the Equinox maintained its practicality and user-friendliness with a traditional PRNDL shift lever and spacious cup holders.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue had transitioned from its previous 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine to an innovative 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder VC-Turbo engine. This engine produced 201 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 225 pound-feet of torque from 2,800 to 4,000 rpm. The CVT, though sometimes dramatic in its simulated gear changes, effectively managed power delivery for urban and suburban driving. However, the Rogue struggled with passing power on the highway. Notably, the engine's unique sound and slight vibrations might not appeal to all drivers.

Fuel economy was another aspect where the Rogue fell short of expectations. Although it was rated at 31 mpg combined by the EPA, the test vehicle only managed 28.9 mpg. More positively, the Rogue featured brake-induced ride quality and cornering enhancements, 19-inch alloy wheels, and a sophisticated suspension system that ensured a composed ride over speed humps and bumps. However, the steering felt lifeless, and the all-season tires offered limited grip on demanding pavements.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox, on the other hand, continued with its sole powertrain, a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine now producing 175 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque. Although its low-speed acceleration was satisfactory, the Equinox struggled to deliver brisk accelerations above 30 mph and made significant noise while doing so. Chevrolet utilized an old six-speed automatic transmission, which extended the duration of gear shifts compared to the more modern eight- or nine-speed variants.

Available AWD could be manually engaged, adding a quirk to the Equinox's usability. However, the revised electronic brake-by-wire system provided a smooth and predictable braking experience. The suspension performed admirably over various road conditions, exhibiting good chassis dynamics characteristic of GM vehicles. The Equinox’s steering was tight and accurate, contributing to a generally pleasant driving experience.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue excelled in embodying the attributes of a proper family vehicle. Its higher ground clearance and available AWD made it a practical choice for driving in adverse weather conditions. The interior comfortably accommodated four passengers, while a fifth could fit in the middle of the back seat if necessary.

Our test vehicle in Platinum trim featured luxurious touches such as triple-zone automatic climate control, a dual-panel panoramic sunroof, and premium leather upholstery. The front seats, featuring Nissan’s Zero Gravity design, were exceptionally comfortable. However, the absence of ventilated front seats and the placement of the ambient lighting control within the center armrest storage bin were odd choices. Rear seat comfort was also a mixed bag; despite its spaciousness, the low-mounted cushion and diamond-shaped pleating made it less comfortable for adults.

Cargo capacity was another strong point for the Nissan Rogue, offering up to 36.5 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats, expandable to 74.1 cubic feet with the seats folded down. Nissan's Divide-N-Hide feature added versatility, allowing owners to configure the cargo area in six different ways.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox, although slightly lagging behind the Rogue in cargo space, still offered ample passenger room. With 29.9 cubic feet of cargo capacity behind the rear seats, the Equinox undercut the Rogue but still remained competitive. Folding down the rear seats expanded this space to 63.9 cubic feet, which was less than some of its major competitors but enough for most practical purposes.

Passenger space was generally adequate in the Equinox, with sufficient head and legroom for taller passengers both in the front and rear seats. The Premier trim featured higher-quality plastic components, enhancing the overall interior feel. Standard amenities included cup holders for every passenger, a sizable center console bin, and a quiet power liftgate.

While the 2023 Nissan Rogue utilized an older infotainment system, it remained functional and relatively straightforward. Standard features included an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth connectivity, and wired Android Auto. Our Platinum test model upgraded to a 9-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay, NissanConnect services, and a navigation system with a door-to-door function via a smartphone app. Despite having a Bose premium audio system and wireless charging pad, the voice recognition technology proved lackluster, often misunderstanding common queries.

On the brighter side, the Rogue was equipped with a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a head-up display, both of which performed well despite adverse weather conditions during testing.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox took a different approach with its infotainment system. While the touchscreen sizes (7 inches in lower trims and 8 inches in the Premier) were smaller and simpler compared to some rivals, their usability was top-notch. The system was responsive, easy to navigate, and featured customizable icons for quick access. Voice recognition was effective, enhancing the overall user experience.

Across all trims, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with Bluetooth connectivity. The Premier trim also added a wireless charging pad. Although the driver-information display was basic in appearance, it provided essential information clearly and effectively.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue was well-stocked with safety features. Standard equipment included 10 airbags, a rear-seat reminder system, and the comprehensive Safety Shield 360 suite, which featured forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. Higher trims offered additional features such as ProPilot Assist with Navi-link, a combination of adaptive cruise control, and lane-centering assistance. ProPilot Assist worked well on highways, though there was a slight activation lag and occasional abrupt braking.

The Rogue earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. However, it received Marginal and Acceptable scores in specific updated crash tests, indicating areas for improvement.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox also came with a suite of standard advanced driver assistance systems, including automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, and lane-keeping assistance. While it did not offer level-two autonomous driving features, it performed adequately in most safety exercises.

The Equinox received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA but did not fare as well with the IIHS, obtaining Poor and Marginal ratings in key crash tests.