2024 Honda Passport vs 2023 Nissan Rogue

The 2023 Nissan Rogue showcased a thoughtful approach to SUV design, maintaining proper proportions and chiseled styling that provided a rugged sense of purpose. Its appeal was critical, given that buyers typically avoided unattractive vehicles. The Rogue lineup included S, SV, SL, and Platinum trims, with prices ranging from $27,360 to $37,140, plus a $1,295 destination charge. Our test model arrived in Platinum trim with the Premium option package, AWD, and various additional features, setting the MSRP at a striking $43,100. This positioned it in entry-luxury territory, overlapping with the Infiniti QX50. The Platinum trim boasted upscale interior features, including diamond-pattern leather seats and quality materials throughout.

Conversely, the 2024 Honda Passport retained much of its previous design despite updates across Honda’s lineup. Changes in 2022, such as a more upright grille and squared-off corners, didn’t dramatically alter its appearance. Trim levels were simple: EX-L, TrailSport, and Black Edition, all equipped with leather seats, a power moonroof, and AWD. Our midlevel TrailSport trim aimed for a rugged appeal with all-terrain tires and roof rails. However, its rugged appearance was more for show, with plastic faux skid plates and no recovery points. The interior featured practical, old-school controls and an 8-inch touchscreen, with black leather upholstery accented by orange stitching.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue, with its new turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine featuring variable compression design, delivered 201 horsepower and 225 pound-feet of torque. This engine replaced the previous 2.5-liter four-cylinder, bringing improvements in urban and suburban responsiveness. However, it lacked passing power on highways and exhibited some vibration and unusual engine noise. Fuel economy was expected to be 31 mpg combined, though our testing returned 28.9 mpg. The Rogue's suspension ensured a smooth ride over speed humps and sharper bumps, though it exhibited more body motion on undulating roads and had lifeless steering.

The 2024 Honda Passport, sticking with its naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6, produced 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, managed by a nine-speed automatic transmission. The Passport accelerated comfortably, though peak torque required higher RPMs. The EPA rated it at 19 mpg city, 24 highway, and 21 combined. The TrailSport trim featured a slightly wider track, 18-inch wheels with all-terrain tires, and an off-road-tuned suspension. All trims included Honda’s torque-vectoring AWD and a traction-management system with multiple settings. While road and wind noise were noticeable at highway speeds, the Passport’s steering was well-balanced and accurate. Towing capacity maxed at 5,000 pounds.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue provided a practical and comfortable alternative to the traditional family car. Our Platinum test vehicle featured premium semi-aniline leather seats with diamond stitching, a dual-panel panoramic sunroof, and triple-zone automatic climate control. The front seats, with Nissan's Zero Gravity design, offered significant comfort, though rear-seat comfort was lacking due to a low cushion and diamond-shaped pleats. Storage was plentiful but unlined, potentially causing unwanted noise. The hands-free power liftgate revealed 36.5 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 74.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2024 Honda Passport offered extensive cargo space, perfect for those not needing three rows. It boasted 41.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, with additional underfloor storage, expanding to 77.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The Passport comfortably accommodated five adults, though rear-seat legroom was slightly less than some competitors. Honda made significant improvements to front storage with a deeper center console, offering more storage despite a less airy feel. Cupholders were abundant, enhancing convenience for all passengers.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue’s infotainment system felt dated, even in comparison with Nissan’s newer models. It featured a 9-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, satellite radio, wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. NissanConnect services included navigation and Alexa Built-in, though voice recognition was subpar. Our test car also had a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a head-up display, both functioning well despite the stormy test conditions.

In contrast, the 2024 Honda Passport’s technology lagged behind most competitors with an 8-inch touchscreen, even falling short of Honda’s smaller models. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and a wireless charging pad. Although the screen offered sharp resolution, its small size was a drawback. Turn-by-turn navigation often dominated the driver’s display, a nuisance that could be improved with software tweaks. The standard seven-speaker audio system felt thin, especially compared to upgraded systems in rival cars.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue was loaded with safety features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and more. Higher trims featured ProPilot Assist with Navi-link, combining adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance. Our experience with ProPilot Assist was positive, aside from some activation lag and abrupt braking. Safety ratings were strong, with a Top Safety Pick+ from IIHS and a five-star overall rating from NHTSA, though some individual crash-test results were lower.

The 2024 Honda Passport included a comprehensive suite of safety features: forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, cross-traffic monitoring, and adaptive cruise control, all under Honda Sensing. Despite these features, the Passport’s crash test ratings were less impressive. IIHS rated it as “Acceptable” in passenger-side small overlap tests and “Marginal” in side-impact tests. NHTSA awarded it a five-star rating overall but only four stars for frontal and rollover testing.