2023 Nissan Rogue vs 2024 Chrysler Pacifica

The 2023 Nissan Rogue was a testament to the brand's commitment to maintaining a classic design for its popular models. It featured well-balanced proportions and a rugged yet refined styling that appealed to a broad audience. The Rogue's design was not overly adventurous, but it struck a harmonious balance that made it attractive to those who valued aesthetics in their vehicle choices. This approach was crucial, as consumers often avoided vehicles they found unattractive.

In contrast, the 2024 Chrysler Pacifica maintained its contemporary look despite not undergoing frequent redesigns. Its smooth exterior styling, with a modest grille, offered a refreshing alternative to the more flamboyant designs of its competitors. The Pacifica's design choices, such as hidden sliding-door tracks, contributed to its clean appearance, setting it apart from rivals like the Toyota Sienna and Kia Carnival. This understated elegance made the Pacifica a standout in the minivan segment.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue featured a new turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine with Nissan's variable compression design, producing 201 horsepower and 225 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), aimed to deliver both performance and fuel efficiency. The Rogue offered various driving modes, including Eco, Auto, and Sport, with additional Off-Road and Snow modes for AWD versions. While the VC-Turbo powertrain was an improvement over the previous 2.5-liter engine, it lacked highway passing power and had a unique engine note that some drivers might find unrefined. The Rogue's fuel economy fell short of expectations, averaging 28.9 mpg in combined driving.

The 2024 Chrysler Pacifica came equipped with a 3.6-liter V6 engine, generating 287 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. This engine, known as the Pentastar, had been a reliable choice across various Stellantis vehicles. The Pacifica's chassis tuning prioritized comfort and stability, making it a suitable choice for family travel. While it wasn't a luxury minivan, the Pacifica offered a quiet and comfortable ride, with a maximum towing capacity of 3,600 pounds. The suspension effectively absorbed road imperfections, though some weight transfer was noticeable during acceleration and deceleration.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue provided a practical alternative to traditional family cars, offering ample space for four passengers and the option to accommodate a fifth. The Platinum trim featured premium amenities like a triple-zone automatic climate control system, a dual-panel panoramic sunroof, and heated front seats. However, the rear seat comfort was lacking, with low-mounted cushions and diamond-shaped pleats that felt uncomfortable. The Rogue's cargo area offered up to 74.1 cubic feet of space with the rear seats folded, and the Divide-N-Hide feature allowed for versatile cargo configurations.

The 2024 Chrysler Pacifica excelled in interior space and versatility, thanks to its Stow 'n Go seating system. This feature allowed the second-row seats to fold flat into the floor, creating additional storage space. The Pacifica offered seating for seven or eight passengers, depending on the configuration, with a power-folding third-row seat available on higher trims. Cargo space was generous, with up to 140.5 cubic feet available with the second and third rows folded. The Pacifica also featured a built-in vacuum cleaner and a power liftgate, enhancing its practicality for families.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue's infotainment system featured an older version with an 8-inch or optional 9-inch touchscreen display. The test vehicle included a 9-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, and a Bose premium audio system. However, the Alexa Built-in system struggled with voice recognition, limiting its functionality. The Rogue also offered a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a head-up display, providing useful information to the driver.

The 2024 Chrysler Pacifica boasted a 10.1-inch touchscreen with the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. The Pacifica Pinnacle trim featured a 360-degree camera system, though accessing it required navigating through menus. The Uconnect Theater system provided rear-seat entertainment with dual touchscreens, wireless headphones, and Amazon Fire TV connectivity. The FamCam interior camera allowed parents to monitor rear-seat passengers, though an intercom system was not available.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue came equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including 10 airbags, Safety Shield 360, and ProPilot Assist with Navi-link. The Rogue earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS for 2022, though it received lower scores in updated crash tests. The NHTSA awarded the Rogue a five-star overall rating, with four stars for frontal-impact collisions.

The 2024 Chrysler Pacifica received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with high scores in frontal and side crash tests. Standard safety features included blind-spot monitoring, forward-collision warning, and adaptive cruise control. The Pacifica also introduced an Emergency Vehicle Alert System for 2024, enhancing its safety offerings.