2024 Toyota 4Runner vs 2023 Nissan Rogue

The 2023 Nissan Rogue was designed with a focus on appealing aesthetics and proper proportions, featuring chiseled styling and SUV detailing that conveyed a rugged sense of purpose. It was available in 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, included a Premium option package and additional features like AWD, two-tone paint, and diamond-pattern leather seats, pushing the MSRP to $43,100. The interior boasted soft-touch materials and high-quality controls, making it competitive in the compact SUV segment.

In contrast, the 2024 Toyota 4Runner retained its classic, boxy shape from its 2010 redesign, which some found outdated. The TRD Pro model we reviewed featured flared fenders, underbody skid plates, and all-terrain tires, enhancing its rugged appearance. The interior, however, showed its age with old-school styling and last-generation technology. The analog instrument panel and small eight-inch infotainment touchscreen felt outdated, and the interior materials, including hard plastics and vinyl-like upholstery, were less refined. Despite these drawbacks, the 4Runner's design remained functional for off-road adventures.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue featured a new turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder VC-Turbo engine, replacing the previous 2.5-liter four-cylinder. This engine produced 201 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 225 lb-ft of torque from 2,800 to 4,000 rpm, paired with a CVT. The Rogue offered 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 highway passing power and had an unusual engine note and vibration. The Rogue averaged 28.9 mpg in combined driving, slightly below the EPA's 31 mpg estimate. The suspension provided a good balance of ride compliance and body control, though the steering felt lifeless.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner, powered by a 4.0-liter V6 engine producing 270 horsepower and 278 lb-ft of torque, was paired with a five-speed automatic transmission. The TRD Pro model came standard with 4WD and a two-speed transfer case. While the 4Runner excelled off-road, it felt slow on pavement, with noticeable rear-end squat during acceleration and a noisy engine. The soft suspension resulted in significant nosedive under hard braking and body roll when cornering. The 4Runner's handling suffered on winding roads, and it exhibited floatiness over highway undulations. However, the tall tire sidewalls and soft suspension helped absorb larger road imperfections.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue offered a practical and comfortable interior, making it a suitable replacement for a traditional family car. It accommodated four people comfortably, with a fifth person fitting in the middle of the back seat if necessary. The Platinum trim included features like triple-zone automatic climate control, a dual-panel panoramic sunroof, and premium leather upholstery. The front seats were comfortable, but the rear seat lacked leg support and felt like sitting on bubble wrap. The Rogue provided ample storage space, with up to 36.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 74.1 cubic feet with the seats folded down.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner's interior, though outdated, was functional and spacious. The front seats offered plenty of space for larger passengers, but the steering wheel's limited telescoping range could be an issue for taller drivers. The second-row seats provided ample legroom, though headroom was limited for taller passengers. The 4Runner could hold up to 47.2 cubic feet of cargo behind the rear seats and 89.7 cubic feet with the seats stowed. However, the lack of remote seat releases in the cargo area made it less convenient. The sliding glass rear window and hitch receiver with a seven-pin harness were practical features for outdoor adventures.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue's infotainment system featured an older version with an 8-inch or 9-inch touchscreen, stereo volume and tuning knobs, and main menu buttons. The test vehicle had the 9-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, satellite radio, wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, NissanConnect services, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a navigation system. It also included a wireless smartphone charging pad and a Bose premium audio system. However, the Alexa Built-in system struggled with voice recognition, making it less reliable for navigation and other tasks. The Rogue also had a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a head-up display, both of which worked well.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner's infotainment system included standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but the small eight-inch touchscreen was challenging to use while driving. The TRD Pro model came with a 15-speaker JBL premium audio system, but road noise and the loud engine made it difficult to appreciate the sound quality. The 4Runner also featured additional terrain controls in the headliner console, with pictograms instead of descriptions, requiring drivers to consult the owner's manual. The Crawl Control and Multi-Terrain Select systems, along with differential controls, enhanced the 4Runner's off-road capabilities.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue came equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including 10 airbags, a rear-seat reminder system, and Safety Shield 360. This package 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, though it received lower scores in updated crash tests.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner received mixed safety ratings, with four out of five stars for overall and frontal crash protection from the NHTSA, five stars for side impacts, and three stars in rollover evaluations. The IIHS gave it "Good" ratings for moderate frontal overlap and side protection tests but lower scores in the small overlap frontal test. The 4Runner included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and a blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert. The TRD Pro and Limited trims added a surround-view camera system, with the Limited also featuring front and rear parking sensors.