2024 Mazda CX-90 vs 2023 Nissan Rogue

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 the MSRP to $43,100. Despite its high price, the Platinum trim offered a luxurious feel with soft-touch materials and high-quality controls.

In contrast, the 2024 Mazda CX-90 aimed to elevate Mazda's status in the luxury segment. The CX-90's exterior design borrowed from the smaller CX-30 and CX-5 but was supersized to over 200 inches, making it an imposing SUV. It featured a big grille, wide-set front end, and large wheels, with tasteful chrome trim adding to its elegance. Inside, top-tier models boasted brown suede upholstery, wood inlays, and matte black plastic bits, creating a luxurious atmosphere. The CX-90 was available in 11 different trims, with the Turbo S Premium Plus model offering the highest level of luxury and performance.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue featured a new turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine with variable compression technology, replacing the previous 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. This VC-Turbo engine produced 201 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 225 lb-ft 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 as standard, with optional all-wheel drive. The Rogue provided Eco, Auto, and Sport driving modes, with AWD versions adding Off-Road and Snow modes. While the new powertrain improved urban and suburban driving, it lacked passing power on the highway and had some refinement issues. The Rogue's fuel economy was rated at 31 mpg combined by the EPA, but our test vehicle averaged 28.9 mpg. The Rogue's suspension and handling were generally good, but the steering felt lifeless.

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 introduced two new powertrains: a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and a turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine. The base turbo I6 produced 280 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque, while the upgraded Turbo S version delivered 340 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque with premium fuel. All CX-90 models came with all-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission. The CX-90 offered Normal, Sport, and Off-Road driving modes, with Sport mode providing a thrilling driving experience. The PHEV model combined a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with a 17.8-kWh battery and a 68-kW electric motor, producing 323 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. The PHEV had an all-electric range of 26 miles and an EPA rating of 56 MPGe combined. Both powertrains delivered excellent handling and agility, making the CX-90 feel like a smaller vehicle.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue was designed to replace the traditional family car, offering a higher driving position, better visibility, and a larger cargo area. The Platinum trim featured premium leather upholstery, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The Rogue's front seats were comfortable, but the rear seats lacked leg support and comfort. The rear doors opened to a nearly 90-degree angle, making it easy to load and unload passengers. The Rogue offered 36.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expandable to 74.1 cubic feet with the seats folded down. However, the storage compartments were unlined, causing unwanted noise and vibration.

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 offered various seating configurations, with the lowest-level trims seating eight passengers and higher trims offering captain's chairs in the second row. The Turbo S models had a two-seat configuration in the third row, providing slightly more cargo space. The CX-90 offered 75.2 cubic feet of cargo space in models with the two-seater third row and 74.2 cubic feet in models with the three-across back seat. The CX-90's interior featured plenty of storage options, including a large center console, spacious door pockets, and well-placed cupholders. The materials and upholstery were of high quality, and the panoramic sunroof added to the overall comfort.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue used an older version of Nissan's infotainment system, featuring an 8-inch or 9-inch touchscreen display with stereo volume and tuning knobs. The test vehicle had the 9-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth connectivity, satellite radio, wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, NissanConnect services, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a navigation system. It also had a wireless smartphone charging pad and a Bose premium audio system. However, the Alexa Built-in system had issues with voice recognition, making it difficult to use. The Rogue also featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a head-up display (HUD).

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 focused on reducing distractions with its Mazda Connect infotainment system, which used a rotary control knob and hard buttons instead of a touchscreen. While the rotary knob was well-engineered, it had some frustrating quirks. The CX-90 offered personalization software that used facial recognition to adjust settings automatically. The CX-90 came standard with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, with wireless functionality in higher trims. These projection systems employed touchscreen controls, making them easier to use.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue came with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including 10 airbags, a rear-seat reminder system, and Safety Shield 360. This included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, rear automatic braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. 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 Mazda CX-90 came standard with i-Activsense, Mazda's suite of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). This included blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, smart brake support, rear cross-traffic alert, and a safe-exit warning. The CX-90 also featured lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist. The top-spec Turbo S Premium Plus model had cruising and traffic support, blending lane-centering with adaptive cruise control. While the CX-90 had not yet been crash-tested by the IIHS or NHTSA, it was expected to perform well based on the CX-9's ratings.