2023 Nissan Rogue vs 2023 Ford Escape

Car companies often stick to safe designs for their popular models, and this was very true for the 2023 Nissan Rogue. It had well-balanced proportions, stylish chiseling, and just the right touch of SUV ruggedness, making it a visually appealing vehicle. This was important because no one wanted to buy an unattractive car. The 2023 Nissan Rogue lineup included several trims: S, SV, SL, and Platinum. Prices ranged from $27,360 to $37,140, excluding a $1,295 destination charge. The SV, SL, and Platinum trims offered optional Premium packages, while the new Midnight Edition package was exclusive to SV trim. The test vehicle was the Platinum trim with the Premium option package. It featured all-wheel drive (AWD), two-tone paint, and an array of premium options like a frameless rearview mirror, floor mats, cargo area protector, interior accent lighting, exterior ground lighting, illuminated kick plates, and a first-aid kit. These additions bumped the Rogue’s MSRP to a considerable $43,100. The Platinum trim nearly approached entry-level luxury territory, with a price overlapping the Infiniti QX50, a compact crossover from Nissan’s luxury brand. However, the Platinum trim offered numerous upscale upgrades, most notably its soft, diamond-pattern leather seats. The materials and controls were of high quality, aligning with the standards of the compact SUV segment. The 2023 Ford Escape embraced a transition in modern crossover design, moving away from smooth, sleek lines to a more rugged, boxy look. This meant that older Escapes, with their blocky exterior, surprisingly matched current trends better than the latest model. Ford had shifted from the older aesthetic, introducing a European design language in the third generation of the Escape. The 2023 refresh replaced a somewhat cartoonish grille with a more traditional front end, sporting a Ford blue oval logo centered in the grille beneath a stylish LED light bar. Trim levels for the Escape included Active, ST-Line, ST-Line Select, Platinum, and ST-Line Elite. The test model for comparison was a 2023 Ford Escape ST-Line Elite. Although not designed for extreme off-roading, the Escape had a sleek and more upscale appearance compared to its competitors, resembling vehicles like the Mazda CX-5. The ST-Line Elite test vehicle featured 19-inch wheels, body-color mirror caps, and wheel-arch cladding, opting for a refined design instead of rugged plastic protection. Inside, it showcased beautiful diamond-stitched leather upholstery, which, although attractive, felt hard and plasticky. However, the seats themselves were comfortable and softly padded, suitable for long drives. The 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat was particularly easy to customize for optimal comfort.

When the current-generation Rogue debuted as a 2021 model, it was powered by Nissan’s 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). By the 2022 model year, Nissan upgraded the drivetrain to a new turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine with a unique variable compression design, known as VC-Turbo. This engine aimed to provide strong performance when needed and excellent fuel economy during regular driving. Nissan claimed that the 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine produced 201 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 225 pound-feet of torque from 2,800 rpm to 4,000 rpm. The CVT, featuring paddle shifters, directed power to the front wheels unless the optional AWD system was selected. All Rogues offered Eco, Auto, and Sport driving modes. AWD versions additionally had Off-Road and Snow modes. A remote engine starter with climate pre-conditioning was also available. The VC-Turbo engine proved preferable to the previous 2.5-liter four-cylinder due to its responsiveness in urban and suburban driving conditions. Although the peak torque was brief, the Rogue felt agile. The CVT generally remained unobtrusive, yet its simulated gear changes occasionally felt overly dramatic. Unfortunately, the drivetrain lacked sufficient power for highway passing. The engine’s unique note and slight vibrations through the accelerator pedal might not appeal to all drivers, potentially perceived as a lack of refinement. Expected fuel economy was 31 mpg combined, but the test vehicle averaged only 28.9 mpg, an anticipation based on past experiences with VC-Turbo engines. Nissan equipped the Rogue with a strut-type front and multi-link rear suspension, 19-inch alloy wheels, and several ride quality enhancements. The Rogue handled speed bumps impressively well but exhibited more lateral and vertical body motion on undulating roads. The tires offered modest grip, and the steering felt lifeless. Despite these quirks, the Rogue maintained a good balance between ride compliance and body control, ensuring a reliable handling character. The 2023 Ford Escape offered a variety of powertrain choices, standing out in the competitive crossover market. Apart from hybrid and plug-in hybrid models, it featured two gasoline engine options. The base engine was a 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder, producing 180 horsepower and 199 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. This engine could come with either FWD or AWD and presented a solid performance option on paper. The higher trims—ST-Line Select, Platinum, and ST-Line Elite—were powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, exclusively with AWD and the same eight-speed transmission. This engine provided stronger acceleration and was more suitable for quick passes and merging at higher speeds. Despite the impressive four-cylinder engine, the Escape ST-Line Elite did not offer genuine performance crossover capabilities. The suspension remained soft and compliant rather than sporty and precise, and the transmission lacked performance tuning. The absence of paddle shifters and reliance on an electronic rotary controller limited driver control over gear shifts, even in Sport mode. The Escape featured predictable and linear braking performance. The soft suspension was beneficial for handling rough roads, while the steering inputs were well-weighted, avoiding the twitchiness sometimes found in competitors’ electric steering systems.

Many consumers preferred compact SUVs like the 2023 Nissan Rogue over midsize cars, and it was easy to understand why. Higher ground clearance made them easier to enter and exit and improved driver visibility. Features like AWD, extra ground clearance for snowy conditions, and a larger cargo area added to their practicality. The 2023 Rogue served well as a traditional family car replacement. It comfortably accommodated four passengers, with room for a fifth in a pinch. The test vehicle, a Platinum trim, was thoroughly equipped, featuring a triple-zone automatic climate control system, a dual-panel panoramic sunroof, and premium semi-aniline leather front seats with diamond-stitched inserts. Both seats were heated, and the driver’s seat was eight-way power adjustable while the front passenger’s seat lacked height adjustment. Nissan’s Zero Gravity seat designs provided notable comfort, although their effectiveness might be slightly overstated. Outward visibility was excellent due to large side mirrors and thin windshield pillars, despite the odd placement of the ambient lighting control button inside the center armrest storage bin. One unusual complaint concerned the remote keyless entry fob. The low-contrast, black-on-black design made identifying and using the buttons difficult, particularly in low light. The Rogue’s rear doors opened wide, facilitating the loading and unloading of children or cargo. The back seat offered ample space for adults, although the low-mounted bottom cushion with minimal leg support and diamond-pattern pleats did not provide optimum comfort. Storage space was ample but lacked lining, potentially causing noise and vibrations. The hands-free power liftgate revealed 36.5 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 74.1 cubic feet with the back seats folded. The optional Divide-N-Hide feature allowed for various cargo configurations, complemented by underfloor storage areas. The 2023 Ford Escape offered a comfortable interior with soft, supportive seats and excellent ergonomics. The steering wheel, while visually plain, was comfortable to grip. The armrests on the front doors aligned well with the center console’s armrest, enhancing comfort. The front-seat cupholders were conveniently placed, and the head-up display adjusted easily for drivers of varying heights. Cargo space in the Escape was respectable but fell short of segment leaders. It provided up to 37.5 cubic feet of space behind the second row and 65.4 cubic feet with the second row folded. While comparable to the Chevrolet Equinox and Mazda CX-5, it lagged behind the Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson, Nissan Rogue, and Toyota RAV4. For everyday use, the Escape’s cargo space sufficed, but it might feel cramped for larger moving tasks. Passenger space mirrored the cargo space situation — decent but not segment-leading. The Escape offered slightly less rear-seat legroom compared to some competitors but compensated with ample headroom and the soft, scalloped backs of the front seats, maximizing space for taller passengers seated in the rear.

Nissan needed to hurry the widescreen infotainment system found in the refreshed 2023 Altima sedan into the Rogue because it was still using an older setup. With either a standard 8-inch or available 9-inch touchscreen display, the Rogue’s system included practical hardware controls like stereo volume and tuning knobs alongside easily accessible main menu buttons. The test vehicle boasted the larger 9-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth connectivity, satellite radio, wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, NissanConnect services with Wi-Fi hotspot access, and a door-to-door navigation system via a smartphone app. Also featured were a wireless smartphone charging pad and a respectable Bose premium audio system. Alexa Built-in, new for 2023 and standard in the Platinum trim, was also included. However, Alexa Built-in wasn’t fully functional during testing, struggling with simple requests such as finding the nearest Chipotle or even The White House. Voice recognition technology needs substantial improvement. Additionally, the test vehicle included a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a head-up display (HUD), both functioning well, despite testing occurring during heavy rainstorms, preventing testing with polarized sunglasses. Despite the age of its name, the 2023 Ford Escape offered modern technology. Equipped with Sync 4, the Escape impressed with attractive and intuitive tech features. Lower trims came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display, but all trims could be upgraded to a larger 13.2-inch screen, standard in ST-Line Elite and Platinum trims. The 13.2-inch screen dominated the interior and immediately elevated the cabin’s aesthetic over the smaller 8-inch system. Sync 4 was well-organized, incorporating individual tiles for navigation, music, and Bluetooth pairing. Navigating between Android Auto and the native navigation system was easy, with the latter looking so good it was initially mistaken for Google Maps. Ford’s inclusion of a static “Home” button in the top-left corner allowed for quick transitions between applications. While Sync 4 responded slowly to inputs and the volume knob placement far-right on the dash was inconvenient, these issues were minor considering the overall impressive feature set, layout, and ease of use.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue came well-equipped with safety features. Standard equipment included 10 airbags, a rear-seat reminder system, and Safety Shield 360. This system comprised forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, rear automatic braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. NissanConnect services provided additional safety features, such as automatic collision notifications, emergency assistance calling, and safe teen driver technology including speed, curfew, and geographic boundary notifications. Enhanced options included a surround-view camera, active blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and driver monitoring. Higher trim levels offered ProPilot Assist with Navi-link, a combination of adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assistance, active at highway speeds. ProPilot Assist impressed with its reliability and background operation, although initially activating the system was tricky. It was notably smooth in lane-centering and responsive in accelerating when passing slower vehicles. However, braking with ProPilot Assist active could be abrupt, particularly when other vehicles cut in. During evaluations, lane-centering and lane-departure warnings functioned well without causing driver irritation. The 2023 Nissan Rogue earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2022 calendar year, with Marginal and Acceptable scores in updated small overlap frontal- and side-impact tests, respectively. It received a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), though it earned four stars for the driver and front passenger in a frontal-impact collision. The 2023 Ford Escape earned a five-star overall rating in NHTSA’s crash-test evaluations, with top scores in frontal and side crashes, and four stars in the rollover test. However, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety did not award the Escape a Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ designation due to a Marginal score in its updated side-impact test. Outside of this, the Escape received top “Good” ratings in all other IIHS tests. The 2023 Escape came standard with Ford’s Co-Pilot360 suite of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). This included forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic high beams. Notably, blind-spot monitoring was standard, whereas it remained optional in many other compact crossovers. Optional Co-Pilot360 2.0 enhanced the safety suite with adaptive cruise control, road sign recognition, and lane-centering technology for a semi-autonomous driving experience. It also incorporated a surround-view camera, particularly useful for parallel parking.