2024 Toyota RAV4 vs 2023 Nissan Rogue

The 2023 Nissan Rogue had a design that stayed true to the conventional but chiseled SUV aesthetics that many consumers found appealing. Its proportions were proper, and styling was handsomely rugged without going overboard. The Nissan Rogue lineup included S, SV, SL, and Platinum trim levels, with prices ranging from $27,360 to $37,140, plus a $1,295 destination fee. The options for trims and packages allowed potential buyers to tailor the Rogue to their style preferences or practical needs. Features in our Platinum trim test vehicle, like the two-tone paint and illuminated kick plates, added a touch of luxury, making the vehicle's MSRP skyrocket to $43,100. However, these touches brought it into entry-luxury territory, overlapping with more premium models like the Infiniti QX50. Inside, the diamond-pattern leather seats added an upscale feel, and most touchpoints in the cabin were suitably soft, meeting the standards of the compact SUV segment.

In contrast, the 2024 Toyota RAV4 had a more aggressive design with its frown and grimace look, perpetually appearing angry. The lower gray body cladding and fake skid plates aimed to convey a robust off-road-ready vibe, especially on upper trims like the TRD Off-Road model. Our test vehicle came in an Army Green color, which was free of extra charge, and with options like the Advanced Technology and Weather packages, the MSRP reached $41,925. The RAV4 range spanned from $28,675 for the LE to $38,295 for the TRD Off-Road, with hybrids costing a bit more but offering better fuel efficiency. Inside the RAV4 TRD Off-Road, utility was a strong theme with its practical and durable design. The full-width shelf on the dashboard and the rubber-lined storage areas emphasized a utilitarian approach, but higher trims like the XLE Premium or Limited provided a slightly more refined interior with contrast-color choices.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue pivoted from its former 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine to a modern 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder with variable compression (VC-Turbo) in 2022. This engine produced 201 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 225 lb-ft of torque between 2,800 and 4,000 rpm. Paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) that featured paddle shifters, this engine powered the front wheels unless AWD was optioned. The Rogue offered multiple driving modes—Eco, Auto, and Sport—with AWD versions also providing Off-Road and Snow modes. Despite its high torque levels, the engine's three-cylinder configuration created some unusual cabin noise and vibrations through the accelerator pedal, potentially affecting driver satisfaction. In terms of fuel economy, the Rogue was EPA-rated at 31 mpg in combined driving but fell short during real-world testing, averaging 28.9 mpg. With features like Intelligent Trace Control and Active Ride Control, the Rogue maintained a smooth ride, though it showed ample body motion on uneven roads. Overall, its handling was generally stable, but the tires offered modest grip, and the steering lacked feedback.

The 2024 Toyota RAV4's performance centered around its 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine generating 203 horsepower at 6,300 rpm and 184 lb-ft of torque at 5,000 rpm. This engine required high revs to tap into its full power potential, which affected its refinement. An eight-speed automatic transmission powered the front wheels, while the optional torque-vectoring AWD was standard on the TRD Off-Road. The off-road suspension tuning, underbody skid plate, and all-terrain tires boosted its rugged credentials, although ground clearance and approach/departure angles were not significantly better than the standard models. The TRD Off-Road excelled in handling rough daily commutes and provided a reliable driving experience. However, when pushed off-road, it displayed limitations, as demonstrated by a minor damage incident during testing. Fuel economy for the TRD Off-Road was officially rated at 28 mpg combined but averaged 26.6 mpg during reality-based evaluations, which included some light off-roading. Despite its strong engine performance, the RAV4's ride quality was more refined on standard roads, keeping harsh surfaces at bay.

Compact SUVs like the 2023 Nissan Rogue provided a versatile alternative to midsize cars, combining better visibility and ease of entry/exit with practical cargo space. The Rogue comfortably accommodated four adults, or five in a pinch. Our Platinum test vehicle featured upscale touches like triple-zone automatic climate control and a dual-panel panoramic sunroof, accentuating its cabin’s comfort with Zero Gravity seat designs and premium leather upholstery. While the driver’s seat was particularly commendable for its comfort, rear seat passengers didn’t fare as well—the seats felt low and lacked thigh support. The cargo space behind the rear seats was 36.5 cubic feet, expandable to 74.1 cubic feet with the back seats folded, aided by Nissan’s Divide-N-Hide feature for configurable cargo organization. However, the abundance of unlined storage areas could contribute to unwanted noise from loose items.

In the 2024 Toyota RAV4, practicality and utility ruled the interior design. The TRD Off-Road model offered SofTex artificial leather upholstery with an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat. Optional packages added heated/ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel, ideal for cold weather. The RAV4’s driving position was comfortable, with excellent visibility and intuitive environmental controls. Five people could fit inside, though the back seats shared similar criticism with the Rogue, feeling low and offering less leg support. Despite this, rear passengers enjoyed ample legroom and air conditioning vents. The RAV4 provided a more accommodating cargo space—37.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats, which expanded to 69.8 cubic feet when folded. Its design showed a clear intention for active, practical use.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue used an older infotainment system featuring a standard 8-inch or optional 9-inch touchscreen, accompanied by physical volume/tuning knobs for easy access. Our test vehicle came with the 9-inch display, offering Bluetooth, satellite radio, wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, Wi-Fi hotspot, and a navigation system. A decent Bose audio system and a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display added to the modern appeal. However, the Alexa Built-in feature was found lacking, as the voice recognition system struggled with basic navigation requests, which proved frustrating. Despite this, the Rogue’s tech suite was comprehensive, though an upgrade to the newer infotainment system seen in the Altima would be a welcome improvement.

The 2024 Toyota RAV4 employed the latest Toyota Audio Multimedia system with a standard 8-inch or available 10.5-inch touchscreen. It incorporated wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, and multiple connected services plans, including Service and Safety Connect, which were free for ten years. Drive Connect with cloud-based navigation and a digital assistant was available free for one year. Our test vehicle’s voice assistant worked well but remained silent apart from climate control changes, reducing its effectiveness. The RAV4’s infotainment setup was sophisticated but had interface quirks, such as the lack of a multi-panel Home screen and light font difficult to read in daylight. Optional features like the digital rearview mirror and a JBL premium audio system added extra tech appeal, enhancing practicality and user experience.

Safety was a key attribute of the 2023 Nissan Rogue, which came equipped with 10 airbags, a rear-seat reminder system, and Safety Shield 360, encompassing a suite of driving assistance features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. Higher trims added ProPilot Assist with Navi-link, integrating adaptive cruise control with lane-keeping assist. In practical use, ProPilot Assist excelled on highways, maintaining accuracy and smooth operation. The Rogue had a Top Safety Pick+ designation from IIHS for 2022 but showed room for improvement in certain crash tests. The SUV earned a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA, though frontal-impact scores were slightly lowered.

The 2024 Toyota RAV4 was equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 (TSS 2.5), featuring systems like adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist. While these systems worked adequately on straight highways, their reliability waned on curved roads, causing frequent audible alerts. Despite its aging design, the RAV4 performed reliably under typical driving conditions, with adaptive cruise managing gaps well. However, sudden braking when slower vehicles cut in highlighted the system's cautious nature. The 2024 RAV4 no longer held the Top Safety Pick from IIHS due to lower ratings in updated crash tests, suggesting it's in need of modernization to compete effectively with newer models.