2023 Nissan Rogue vs 2024 Toyota Sienna

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 upscale features, such as diamond-pattern leather seats and soft-touch materials, elevating the Rogue into entry-luxury territory.

In contrast, the 2024 Toyota Sienna made a bold statement with its distinctive look, available in trims like LE, XLE, XSE, Woodland Edition, Limited, and Platinum. The Sienna's sleek front and rear fascias, coupled with vibrant color options, ensured it remained a stylish choice in the minivan segment. The XSE trim, with its sporty black metallic mesh grille and 20-inch dark wheels, added a touch of swagger. The Woodland Edition catered to those seeking a bit more off-road capability, featuring roof rails, a tow hitch, and increased ground clearance. The Sienna's interior was designed with family comfort in mind, offering features like tri-zone climate control and optional captain's chairs for added luxury.

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 CVT, offered a responsive driving experience in urban settings, though it lacked highway passing power. The Rogue's drivetrain included Eco, Auto, and Sport modes, with AWD versions adding Off-Road and Snow modes. Despite its innovative powertrain, the Rogue's fuel economy fell short of expectations, averaging 28.9 mpg in testing. The SUV's ride quality was enhanced by Intelligent Trace Control and Active Ride Control, though the steering felt lifeless.

The 2024 Toyota Sienna, on the other hand, was equipped with a hybrid powertrain combining a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and two electric motors, delivering a total of 245 horsepower. While not designed for spirited driving, the Sienna offered a smooth ride, albeit with sluggish acceleration. The CVT contributed to a less engaging driving experience, especially on highways. However, the Sienna excelled in urban environments, with light and accurate steering and excellent visibility. The minivan's brakes were occasionally grabby, but the overall driving experience was pleasant and suitable for family use.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue provided a practical alternative to traditional family cars, offering ample space for four passengers and a fifth when needed. The Platinum trim featured premium leather upholstery, heated front seats, and a panoramic sunroof. The Rogue's Zero Gravity seats ensured comfort for front passengers, though rear seat comfort was lacking. The SUV's cargo area offered up to 74.1 cubic feet of space with the rear seats folded, and the Divide-N-Hide feature allowed for versatile storage configurations.

The 2024 Toyota Sienna excelled in interior space and functionality, with a lower storage pass-through and multiple cupholders. The second-row captain's chairs offered up to 40 inches of legroom, though their slide function was complex, and they couldn't be removed, limiting cargo space. The third row provided ample legroom and reclining seats, enhancing passenger comfort. The Sienna's cargo area offered 75 cubic feet of space with the third row stowed, expanding to 101 cubes with the second row folded. Tri-zone climate control and window shades added to the minivan's family-friendly appeal.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue featured an older infotainment system with an 8-inch or 9-inch touchscreen, offering wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, and a Bose audio system. The test vehicle included a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a head-up display. However, the Alexa Built-in system struggled with voice recognition, limiting its usefulness.

The 2024 Toyota Sienna also used an older infotainment system with a 9-inch touchscreen, wired Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. While the system included physical buttons for common menus, the backup camera's grainy view was disappointing. The Sienna offered a Wi-Fi hotspot, SiriusXM radio, and an optional JBL stereo system. USB ports and a 1500-watt inverter provided additional convenience, though the rear-seat entertainment system and head-up display were not included in the test vehicle.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue came equipped with Safety Shield 360, offering features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. Higher trims included ProPilot Assist with adaptive cruise control and 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 specific crash tests.

The 2024 Toyota Sienna featured the Toyota Safety Sense suite, including lane departure alert, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. The minivan's safety systems generally performed well, though lane-keeping assist exhibited some side-to-side movement. The Sienna received a four-star rating for frontal crash and rollover protection from the NHTSA and a top score of "Good" from the IIHS, with an "Average" rating for front crash prevention.