2023 Nissan Rogue vs 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2023 Nissan Rogue was all about understated elegance and rugged appeal. Nissan kept the design conservative, focusing on practical proportions and chiseled styling that lent the SUV a rugged sense of purpose without pushing the envelope too far. This careful balance was key since consumer preferences often shun overly adventurous designs for more mainstream options. The Rogue offered sufficient SUV detailing to make it look sturdy and reliable, catching the eyes of buyers looking for both style and practicality.

The Rogue lineup varied from S, SV, SL to the top-tier Platinum trim, with prices spanning from $27,360 to $37,140, plus an additional $1,295 destination charge. Optional Premium packages were available for the SV, SL, and Platinum trims, and a Midnight Edition package was exclusive to the SV trim.

The Platinum test model we evaluated was loaded with the Premium package, AWD, two-tone paint, frameless rearview mirror, additional lighting options, floor mats, and even a first-aid kit, pushing the price to a noteworthy $43,100. This put the fully-loaded Rogue in the same price ring as an entry-level Infiniti QX50, Nissan's own luxury counterpart. However, the Platinum trim’s upscale features, especially the plush diamond-pattern leather seats, gave it a luxurious ambiance. Most touch surfaces were soft, while controls and materials met and sometimes exceeded the expectations for a compact SUV.

On the other hand, the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe took a bolder design leap. Unlike its siblings, the Palisade, Ioniq 5, and Ioniq 6 which presented a gradual introduction to futuristic aesthetics, the Santa Fe's design was a dramatic shift. The new boxy structure aimed to combine an elegant look with premium vibes, a delicate balance that SangYup Lee, Hyundai’s design chief, emphasized in his pre-drive briefing.

This design led to the Santa Fe turning heads everywhere it went, from small shops to motorcycle gang hangouts. Its range of sophisticated exterior colors, including several matte options, enhanced its upscale appearance, complemented by the trademark anodized-finish badging introduced on the Ioniq 6. The XRT trim further added a robust combination of dark chrome and black accents. Depending on the trim, you could get different wheel sizes ranging from 18-inch alloys to 21-inch on the Calligraphy.

Inside, the Santa Fe offered a premium experience. Our test included the all-terrain XRT and the opulent Calligraphy trims. While it excelled in many aspects, some materials on out-of-the-way surfaces like the door panels were hard, but generally, the interior was plush with plenty of soft padding and decadent touches. This created a rich, cocooning environment suitable for a high-end winter retreat.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue initially had a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a CVT when it debuted. By 2022, Nissan replaced this with a new turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder VC-Turbo engine, aiming to improve performance while maintaining good fuel economy. This engine offered 201 horsepower and 225 pound-feet of torque. It was mated to a CVT that included paddle shifters, driving the front wheels unless AWD was chosen. Drivers had access to Eco, Auto, and Sport modes, with AWD versions adding Off-Road and Snow modes.

Our testing revealed that the VC-Turbo engine made the Rogue more responsive, especially in urban and suburban settings. However, it lacked passing power on the highway and displayed an unusual noise and vibration that might have detracted from its refinement. EPA fuel economy estimates were 31 mpg in combined driving. During evaluations, it achieved 28.9 mpg, slightly below expectations. Despite various enhancements like Intelligent Trace Control and Active Ride Control aiming to enhance ride and handling, the Rogue exhibited more body motion than desirable on undulating roads, and its steering lacked feedback.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe, on the other hand, featured a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. This setup produced a robust 277 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. FWD was standard, with AWD as an option, except for the XRT trim where AWD came standard. Driving modes included Normal, Sport, and Snow, with the XRT trim adding off-road settings.

A hybrid version with a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine and a six-speed automatic transmission offered an estimated 231 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque. Fuel economy for the FWD base version was rated at 20 mpg city, 29 mpg highway, and 24 mpg combined; AWD versions slightly less. The hybrid model promised 36 mpg city, 35 mpg highway, and 36 mpg combined.

Our test of the Calligraphy trim revealed smooth and stable driving dynamics. Despite some body roll through turns, overall performance was satisfying. The XRT trim demonstrated decent off-road capabilities comparable to other similarly positioned SUVs.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue catered well to families needing a versatile compact SUV. Its higher ground clearance improved entry and exit, while better visibility from the driver's seat increased driving confidence. The spacious cabin comfortably accommodated four adults with room for a fifth if necessary. Standout features included the high-end Platinum trim amenities like the panoramic sunroof, triple-zone climate control, and semi-aniline leather seats that were exceptionally comfortable thanks to Nissan's Zero Gravity design.

In terms of cargo capacity, the Rogue offered 36.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expandable to 74.1 cubic feet with them folded down. The Divide-N-Hide feature allowed for flexible cargo arrangements, while innovative underfloor storage areas added further practicality.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe's increased wheelbase and overall dimensions translated into significant cargo space. Inspired by the “chabak” concept (car stay), Hyundai designed the Santa Fe to offer ample room for car camping and tailgating. The extra-wide tailgate and thoughtful storage solutions underscored this emphasis on utility. The third row was tight, but the first and second rows were spacious, with various trims offering different seating options from stain-resistant cloth to plush Nappa leather. Heated and ventilated seats were available, enhancing comfort.

Cargo space in the Santa Fe was impressive, offering 14.6 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 40.5 cubic feet with the third row folded, and up to 79.6 cubic feet with the second row also down. The optional roof rails could support 220 pounds, further enhancing its versatility.

Technology-wise, the 2023 Nissan Rogue could have benefited from an upgrade to the latest infotainment systems. It featured either an 8-inch or 9-inch touchscreen paired with easy-to-use physical buttons. The test vehicle's 9-inch touchscreen included wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, NissanConnect with Wi-Fi hotspot, Door-to-Door navigation, wireless smartphone charging, and Alexa Built-in. Additionally, a 12.3-inch digital instrument display and a head-up display added to the suite.

However, the Alexa Built-in had notable limitations, struggling with voice commands. On the other hand, the overall system was practical, yet the need for an upgrade was evident.

In contrast, the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe shone with its curved panoramic display, providing a sophisticated touch to the interior, especially on higher trims like the XRT, Limited, and Calligraphy. This display featured intuitive menus, crisp graphics, and seamless phone pairing with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The 12-speaker Bose stereo, dynamic voice recognition, and Wi-Fi hot spot elevated the tech experience.

Lower trims had a 12.3-inch display, which, while simpler, was still feature-rich. BlueLink connectivity allowed for remote vehicle management and access, furthering convenience. Hyundai's digital key system and Hyundai Pay added modern functionality that set the Santa Fe apart.

Safety was a strong suit for the 2023 Nissan Rogue, packed with 10 airbags, Safety Shield 360, and advanced driver assistance systems including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning among others. Higher trims featured ProPilot Assist, which combined adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance, performing reliably during tests. The Rogue earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though it had some lower scores in updated impact tests.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe, although not yet crash-tested at the time, was expected to perform well given Hyundai's safety track record. It came standard with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision avoidance, blind-spot monitoring, and more. Higher trims added sophisticated systems like a 360-degree camera, remote automatic parking, and advanced collision avoidance tech. Notably, it introduced a driver monitoring system standard across the lineup, enhancing overall safety.