2023 Jeep Compass vs 2023 Nissan Rogue

The 2023 Nissan Rogue, with its elegantly proportioned design and chiseled styling, was crafted to be aesthetically appealing without taking bold design risks. It perfectly blended rugged SUV elements, ensuring that its appearance resonated with those seeking a vehicle embodying both style and purpose. Nissan offered the Rogue in several trims: S, SV, SL, and Platinum, with prices ranging from $27,360 to $37,140 before adding a $1,295 destination charge. Optional packages, including the Premium options for SV, SL, and Platinum trims, and the exclusive Midnight Edition for SV, provided additional customization.

The 2023 Jeep Compass, meanwhile, exuded a more refined and upscale aesthetic, steering away from the rugged look that characterized older Jeep models. Styling elements such as round headlights and square taillights were replaced with sophisticated design cues derived from the larger Cherokee, Grand Cherokee, and Wagoneer families. New wheel designs for the Sport, Latitude, and Trailhawk trims enhanced its street appeal, while the Red editions offered additional paint color options. The 2023 Compass lineup included base options such as the Sport and Latitude, mid-level Latitude Lux, and upscale Limited trims, along with the off-road-focused Trailhawk. Prices ranged from just under $32,000 to over $40,000 before adding options.

Our Limited test vehicle featured extra-cost paint, comprehensive option packages, and a hefty $45,800 price tag, representing a significant investment in the compact SUV segment. However, the Granite Crystal exterior paint and multi-spoke 19-inch wheels lent the Compass a premium appearance reminiscent of the Grand Cherokee. Inside, the two-tone color scheme and high-quality materials created an upscale environment. However, like the Rogue, the high price pushed it into a price range where potential buyers might consider larger or luxury-brand SUVs.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue initially launched with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, but Nissan later replaced it with a more advanced 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine featuring variable compression technology. Rated at 201 horsepower and 225 pound-feet of torque, the new engine was paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) and offered in either front-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive configurations. Driving modes included Eco, Auto, and Sport, with additional Off-Road and Snow modes for AWD models.

The VC-Turbo powertrain provided responsiveness in urban driving, though its peak torque output was limited. The CVT performed well, albeit with occasionally intrusive simulated gear changes and a lack of highway passing power. However, the engine's unique sound and vibrations might not appeal to everyone. The Rogue's fuel economy rating was 31 mpg combined, though our test vehicle achieved only 28.9 mpg. Nevertheless, the brake-induced ride quality and cornering enhancements ensured a smooth and controlled ride, despite the system's sometimes noticeable lateral and vertical body motions and less responsive steering.

In contrast, the 2023 Jeep Compass featured a new turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 200 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. This powertrain, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD, transformed the Compass's performance from previous years. The Compass offered three driving modes: Auto, Snow, and Sand/Mud, with the Trailhawk trim adding a Rock mode, hill descent control, and more robust off-roading features.

The new engine greatly improved the Compass's performance, making it more capable in both urban and off-road settings. However, the fuel economy was not as impressive, with an EPA rating of 27 mpg combined and a real-world average of 23.8 mpg during varied driving conditions. Despite improved performance, the Compass's tall, narrow design led to significant body motions on uneven surfaces, and the AWD system was sometimes slow to engage. While off-roading, the Compass Trailhawk showcased its strengths but needed better tires for certain terrains.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue prioritized interior comfort and functionality, positioning itself as a suitable alternative to a traditional family car. The cabin comfortably accommodated four adults, with the option to squeeze in a fifth passenger. Our Platinum trim test vehicle offered luxurious features like triple-zone automatic climate control, a panoramic sunroof, and premium semi-aniline leather seats with heating capabilities for the front seats and steering wheel. However, ventilated seats were not available.

Visibility was good, and the Rogue featured thoughtful touches like rear doors that opened nearly 90 degrees and an array of rear-seat amenities. The cargo space was impressive, offering up to 36.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 74.1 cubic feet with the seats folded down, enhanced by Nissan’s Divide-N-Hide storage system.

The 2023 Jeep Compass also provided a flexible and comfortable interior, suitable for four adults. Standard features included an air filtration system and a dual-zone automatic climate control system, with options for a dual-pane sunroof. Depending on the trim, the Compass offered cloth or leather upholstery, with higher trims featuring power-adjustable and heated front seats. Our Limited test vehicle boasted premium leather seats and adequate interior space.

Cargo capacity in the Compass was competitive, providing 27.2 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats and 59.8 cubic feet with the seats folded. The adjustable load floor added versatility, though the overall space was less than that of the Rogue. The rear seat was roomy, though not as comfortable as the front, and interior storage bins were somewhat limited in capacity.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue featured an 8-inch or 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system, the latter including Bluetooth, satellite radio, wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, and a Bose premium audio system. However, the infotainment system felt outdated compared to newer offerings in the market. Despite its comprehensive features, the voice recognition system struggled with accurate responses, leading to frustration. The digital instrumentation display and head-up display worked well, though the rainy weather during testing limited the HUD's evaluation.

In contrast, the 2023 Jeep Compass came equipped with a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system powered by Uconnect 5, supporting wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. The system allowed over-the-air updates, enhancing its longevity. Our Limited test vehicle included a 10.25-inch digital instrument panel and a nine-speaker Alpine audio system. The voice recognition system performed accurately, and the Alpine system provided good sound quality, albeit slightly bass-heavy.

Additionally, the Compass offered a parking assist system and a surround-view camera, making parking and maneuvering easier despite the vehicle's compact size. These technological enhancements gave the Compass an edge over the Rogue's less advanced infotainment system.

For the 2023 Jeep Compass, Jeep added new safety features like drowsy driver detection and rear-seat reminders. Standard ADAS included forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. Higher trims featured Highway Assist, a semi-autonomous driving system, and adaptive cruise control.

Our Compass Limited's Highway Assist performed well under ideal conditions but struggled with certain environmental factors. The adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist provided mixed results in more challenging driving environments.