2023 Dodge Durango vs 2023 Nissan Rogue

The 2023 Nissan Rogue was a testament to the brand's cautious approach to design, maintaining a balance of rugged SUV detailing and appealing aesthetics. Its lineup, ranging from the S to the Platinum trim, offered a variety of options, with the Platinum trim showcasing upscale features like diamond-pattern leather seats. Despite its high price point, the Rogue's interior quality and design were in line with expectations for a compact SUV, providing a comfortable and visually pleasing experience for drivers and passengers alike.

In contrast, the 2023 Dodge Durango, despite its age, retained an attractive and familiar design. It eschewed the trend of oversized grilles, opting for a sleek, car-like appearance with distinctive "racetrack" taillights. The SRT models added subtle yet unique styling elements, such as a Viper-like hood and unique wheels. The Durango's interior, while not as distinctive as its exterior, offered a comfortable and spacious environment, with higher trims like the Citadel featuring luxurious touches such as Nappa leather upholstery and heated seats.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue featured a new turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine, producing 201 horsepower and 225 pound-feet of torque. This VC-Turbo engine aimed to deliver both performance and fuel efficiency, though it fell short of its EPA-estimated 31 mpg, achieving only 28.9 mpg in testing. The Rogue's CVT, while generally unobtrusive, lacked highway passing power, and the engine's three-cylinder configuration resulted in some cabin noise and vibration. Despite these drawbacks, the Rogue offered a balanced ride with features like Intelligent Trace Control and Active Ride Control, though its steering felt lifeless.

The 2023 Dodge Durango offered a range of powertrains, starting with a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing up to 295 horsepower. The 5.7-liter Hemi V8, standard on the R/T trim, delivered 360 horsepower and a classic V8 rumble. The SRT 392 model boasted a 6.4-liter V8 with 475 horsepower, while the SRT Hellcat's supercharged 6.2-liter V8 produced an astounding 710 horsepower. The Hellcat's performance was exhilarating, with a 0-60 mph time of 3.5 seconds, though its size made it less agile on twisty roads. The Durango's adaptive-damping suspension and Brembo brakes provided confidence-inspiring handling, especially on highways.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue served as a practical family vehicle, offering ample space for four adults and a fifth passenger when needed. Its interior featured premium touches like a dual-panel panoramic sunroof and Zero Gravity seats, though the rear seats lacked comfort. The Rogue's cargo area was versatile, with up to 74.1 cubic feet of space and the Divide-N-Hide feature for customizable storage. However, the design of the key fob was a notable inconvenience, with hard-to-distinguish buttons.

The 2023 Dodge Durango offered both six- and seven-seat configurations, with generous headroom and legroom across all three rows. While its cargo space was less than some competitors, it still provided 85.1 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Durango excelled in towing capacity, with V6 models capable of towing 6,200 pounds and V8 models up to 8,700 pounds. The interior featured convenient storage solutions, though the lack of a power-folding third row was a drawback for higher trims.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue's infotainment system, while functional, was outdated compared to newer models. It featured an 8-inch or 9-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto. The test vehicle included a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a head-up display, though the Alexa Built-in system struggled with voice recognition. Despite these issues, the Rogue offered a comprehensive suite of connectivity options, including a Wi-Fi hotspot and a Bose premium audio system.

The 2023 Dodge Durango featured Stellantis' Uconnect infotainment system, with an 8.4-inch touchscreen on lower trims and a 10.1-inch screen on higher trims. The Uconnect 5 system on the larger screen was responsive and user-friendly, with unique SRT-themed animations and the Performance Pages app for performance data. The Durango also offered a 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system on the SRT Hellcat model, enhancing the overall infotainment experience.

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

The 2023 Dodge Durango's safety ratings were mixed, with a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a "Marginal" score in the IIHS driver-side small overlap front test. Standard safety features were limited, with blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert included on all trims, but other driver-assist technologies were only available on higher trims. The lack of standard safety features on lower trims was a notable drawback.