2023 Nissan Rogue vs 2024 Kia Sorento

The 2023 Nissan Rogue was a testament to the brand's commitment to maintaining a classic yet appealing design. With its well-proportioned and chiseled styling, the Rogue exuded a rugged sense of purpose that resonated with consumers who valued aesthetics in their vehicles. The lineup offered various trims, including the S, SV, SL, and Platinum, with prices ranging from $27,360 to $37,140, plus a destination charge. The Platinum trim, in particular, stood out with its luxurious upgrades, such as diamond-pattern leather seats and soft-touch materials, elevating the Rogue into entry-luxury territory.

In contrast, the 2024 Kia Sorento underwent a significant visual update, aligning more closely with its siblings like the Telluride and EV9. The Sorento's new design featured a bold front end with a large grille and vertically-stacked LED headlights, giving it a more intimidating presence. The interior received a contemporary makeover, with a new dashboard and combined gauge and infotainment displays under a single pane of glass. The Sorento's cabin was more upscale, with improved materials and optional luxurious touches like faux open-pore wood grain and quality stitching, making it a strong contender in the smallish midsize SUV segment.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue featured a new turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine with a variable compression design, producing 201 horsepower and 225 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), offered a responsive driving experience in urban settings, though it lacked passing power on highways. The Rogue's drivetrain included Eco, Auto, and Sport driving modes, with additional Off-Road and Snow modes for AWD versions. Despite its innovative engine, the Rogue's fuel economy fell short of expectations, averaging 28.9 mpg in testing compared to the EPA's 31 mpg estimate.

The 2024 Kia Sorento retained its base 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque, which struggled with the vehicle's weight. However, the EX and higher trims offered a turbocharged 2.5-liter engine with 281 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, providing a more spirited performance. The Sorento's AWD option, available on higher trims, included the X-Line setup with increased ground clearance, enhancing its off-road capabilities. The Sorento's ride was smooth and quiet, with well-weighted steering and confident cornering, making it a versatile choice for various driving conditions.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue offered a spacious interior, comfortably accommodating four passengers, with the option to squeeze in a fifth. The Platinum trim featured premium amenities like a triple-zone climate control system, panoramic sunroof, and Zero Gravity seats for enhanced comfort. However, the rear seats were less comfortable, with low-mounted cushions and diamond-shaped pleats. The Rogue provided ample cargo space, with up to 74.1 cubic feet available when the rear seats were folded, and included the Divide-N-Hide feature for versatile storage configurations.

The 2024 Kia Sorento's cabin was modern and comfortable, with generous legroom in the first two rows and a tighter third row. The Sorento's third row offered 29.6 inches of legroom, making it suitable for occasional use by children. The second row could be configured with captain's chairs for added convenience. Cargo space was limited with the third row in use, but folding it down expanded the capacity to 72.1 cubic feet. The Sorento's interior featured ergonomic controls and ample storage, with higher trims offering noise-insulating glass and heated and ventilated front seats.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue's infotainment system featured an older version with an 8-inch or 9-inch touchscreen, offering Bluetooth, satellite radio, and wireless Apple CarPlay. The test vehicle included a 9-inch screen, Bose audio system, and a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display. However, the voice recognition system struggled with accuracy, and the Alexa Built-in feature was not fully functional during testing.

The 2024 Kia Sorento introduced a new infotainment system with a 12.3-inch touchscreen on all trims, integrated into a single-pane display. The system, called "Connected Car Navigation Cockpit" (CCnC), prioritized popular features on the home screen and offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Sorento's system supported over-the-air updates and included USB-C outlets in all rows. Higher trims featured a Bose 12-speaker audio system and Digital Key 2.0 for keyless access and vehicle sharing.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue came equipped with Safety Shield 360, offering a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. Higher trims added ProPilot Assist with Navi-link, combining 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 2024 Kia Sorento's Drivewise suite included an extensive array of standard and optional safety features, such as adaptive cruise control, forward automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. The SX-Prestige trim offered Highway Driving Assist 2 with automated lane changes. While the IIHS had not fully evaluated the 2024 Sorento, it received "Good" ratings in several tests, and its LATCH system earned an "Acceptable" rating. The NHTSA had not yet rated the 2024 model.