2023 Nissan Rogue vs 2023 Toyota Venza

The 2023 Nissan Rogue was designed with a focus on appealing aesthetics and practical proportions. It featured chiseled styling and SUV detailing that conveyed a rugged sense of purpose. The Rogue's lineup included S, SV, SL, and Platinum trims, with prices ranging from $27,360 to $37,140, plus a $1,295 destination charge. The Platinum trim, which we tested, came loaded with upscale features like diamond-pattern leather seats and a host of other premium upgrades, pushing its MSRP to $43,100. Despite its high price, the Platinum trim offered a luxurious feel with soft-touch materials and high-quality controls.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Venza stood out with its sleek and sculpted design, which could easily be mistaken for a Lexus. The Venza's contoured body and harmonious curves gave it a more refined look compared to typical Toyota models. Inside, the Venza borrowed elements from the RAV4 but dressed them up with nicer materials and details. The dashboard and center stack were similar, but the Venza featured better-integrated climate controls and more substantial-feeling materials. Overall, the Venza's design was one of the best in Toyota's lineup, offering a level of luxury that approached that of Lexus.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue featured a new turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine with a variable compression design, replacing the previous 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. This VC-Turbo engine produced 201 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 225 pound-feet of torque from 2,800 rpm to 4,000 rpm. The engine was paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) and offered front-wheel drive as standard, with optional all-wheel drive. The Rogue's driving modes included Eco, Auto, and Sport, with additional Off-Road and Snow modes for AWD versions. Despite its responsive performance in urban and suburban settings, the Rogue's engine lacked passing power on the highway and had an unusual note and vibration that some drivers might find unrefined. The Rogue's fuel economy was rated at 31 mpg combined by the EPA, but our test vehicle averaged 28.9 mpg.

The 2023 Toyota Venza, on the other hand, was powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid system, producing a combined 219 horsepower. The hybrid system included electric motor/generators paired with a 1.6-kilowatt-hour nickel-metal hydride battery pack. A CVT sent power to the front wheels, while a separate electric motor powered the rear wheels for AWD. The Venza's initial acceleration was provided by the electric motors, with the gasoline engine seamlessly blending in for additional power. The Venza reached 60 mph in 7.5 seconds, a respectable time for its class. The Venza prioritized ride comfort over sporty handling, with light steering effort and adequate handling for easy and calm transportation. The ride quality was smoother than the RAV4 Hybrid's but not as plush as a Lexus.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue offered a practical and comfortable interior, making it a suitable replacement for a traditional family car. It accommodated four people comfortably, with the option to carry a fifth person in the back seat. The Platinum trim featured premium semi-aniline leather upholstery, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. However, the rear seat comfort was lacking, with a low-mounted bottom cushion and diamond-shaped pleats that felt uncomfortable. The Rogue provided up to 36.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expandable to 74.1 cubic feet with the seats folded down. Storage space was plentiful but unlined, potentially causing unwanted noise.

The 2023 Toyota Venza's front seats offered ample space for taller drivers and passengers, with a feeling of spaciousness enhanced by large windows and a panoramic sunroof. The rear seats were spacious enough for average adults, with abundant legroom and foot room. However, the Venza's cargo capacity was limited to 28.8 cubic feet behind the rear seats, significantly less than competitors like the Honda Passport and Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. The Venza was not rated for towing, further limiting its practicality. On the positive side, the Venza excelled at holding smaller personal items, with a wireless phone charger, well-sized cupholders, and large door pockets.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue featured an older version of Nissan's infotainment system, with a standard 8-inch or available 9-inch touchscreen display. The test vehicle had the larger 9-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth connectivity, satellite radio, wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, NissanConnect services, and a navigation system. It also included a wireless smartphone charging pad and a Bose premium audio system. However, the Alexa Built-in system was not functional during testing, struggling with basic voice commands. The Rogue also had a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a head-up display, both of which worked well.

The 2023 Toyota Venza came with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a wireless charging pad. The base LE trim featured an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, while the XLE trim and above had a larger 12.3-inch display. The new infotainment system delivered sharp graphics, quick responses, and a logical menu structure. A Wi-Fi connection was offered for a 30-day trial, with access to remote vehicle monitoring and control via a smartphone app. The top Limited trim included a one-year trial subscription to Drive Connect services, which functioned like a virtual navigator. The base audio system had six speakers, while a nine-speaker JBL premium audio system was available on higher trims.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue came equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including 10 airbags, a rear-seat reminder system, and Safety Shield 360. This suite included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, rear automatic braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. Higher trims offered additional features like ProPilot Assist with Navi-link, which combined 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, though it received lower scores in some specific tests.

The 2023 Toyota Venza also boasted a robust set of safety features, including the Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ suite. This included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure assist, lane-keep assist, automatic high beams, and a traffic sign reader. Higher trims added features like front and rear parking sensors, a surround-view camera system, a head-up display, and a digital rearview mirror. The Venza earned five stars in overall and side crash protection from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS.