2023 Nissan Rogue vs 2024 Land Rover Defender

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 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 with a host of upscale features, including diamond-pattern leather seats and a variety of interior and exterior enhancements, pushing its MSRP to $43,100. Despite its high price, the Platinum trim offered a luxurious experience with soft-touch materials and high-quality controls.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender combined a classic, boxy profile with modern features like angular headlights, creating a visual link to other Land Rover models. Inside, the Defender felt more durable and adventure-ready compared to its siblings, with a design reminiscent of the Jeep Wrangler or Ford Bronco but with more soft-touch materials. The Defender was available in three body styles: the two-door 90, the four-door 110, and the extended-wheelbase four-door 130, each offered in various trims. Our test vehicle, the Defender 110 S, came with the County visual package, featuring white wheels and vintage graphics. Standard features included 19-inch alloy wheels, power-adjustable and heated front seats, partial leather upholstery, and a panoramic glass roof, among others.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue initially came with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine but was later updated with a turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine featuring Nissan's variable compression design. This VC-Turbo engine produced 201 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 225 pound-feet of torque from 2,800 to 4,000 rpm. The engine was paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) and offered front-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive. The Rogue's performance was responsive in urban settings, but it lacked passing power on the highway. The EPA estimated fuel economy at 31 mpg combined, but our test vehicle averaged 28.9 mpg. The Rogue's suspension and handling were generally good, though the steering felt lifeless.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender offered several powertrains, starting with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine in the P300, producing 296 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. Our P400 test model featured a mild-hybrid turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six, delivering 395 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. The Defender also had two supercharged 5.0-liter V8 options, with the P500 making 493 hp and 450 lb-ft of torque, and the P525 producing 518 hp and 461 lb-ft of torque. All engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time active four-wheel drive. The Defender excelled in off-road capabilities, especially with features like adaptive air suspension and Terrain Response 2. The P400 model provided ample power for highway speeds and passing maneuvers, though it had a slight lurch at low speeds.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue was designed as a practical family vehicle, offering easy entry and exit, good visibility, and a spacious cargo area. The Platinum trim featured premium semi-aniline leather upholstery, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. However, the rear seats were less comfortable, with low-mounted cushions and diamond-shaped pleats. The Rogue offered up to 36.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 74.1 cubic feet with the seats folded down. Storage space was plentiful but unlined, potentially causing noise and vibration.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender balanced luxury and functionality with soft-touch materials, grip handles, rubberized floors, and numerous cargo compartments. Seating capacity ranged from five to eight passengers, depending on the configuration. The Defender 130 offered the most cargo space, with 15.3 cubic feet behind the third row, 35.8 cubic feet behind the second row, and 76.1 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. The Defender 110 provided 34 cubic feet behind the second row and 78.8 cubic feet with the seats folded. The two-door Defender 90 offered 15.6 cubic feet behind the second row and up to 58.3 cubic feet with the seats folded.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue featured an older infotainment system with an 8-inch or 9-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, satellite radio, wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, and a navigation system. The test vehicle had a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a head-up display. However, the Alexa Built-in system was unreliable, struggling with basic voice commands.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender came with a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and an 11.4-inch touchscreen. The system included navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, satellite radio, HD radio, and a 10-speaker Meridian stereo system. The straightforward setup and home buttons made the system user-friendly, providing a blend of refinement and utility.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue came with 10 airbags, a rear-seat reminder system, and Safety Shield 360, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, rear automatic braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams. Higher trims offered 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.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, traffic sign recognition, automatic high beams, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and a 360-degree parking camera system. The lane-departure and lane-keeping assist features were overly sensitive but could be deactivated. As of this writing, the Defender had not been crash-tested by the IIHS or NHTSA.