2023 Nissan Rogue vs 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan

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.

In contrast, the 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan exuded a more premium feel, especially in its SEL R-Line trim. Standard LED headlights and taillights, along with an illuminated grille light line, added to its sophisticated appearance. The Tiguan's base trim was limited to grayscale colors, while higher trims offered more vibrant options like Atlantic Blue and Kings Red Metallic, albeit with some restrictions. The SEL R-Line trim featured real leather seats, front-seat ventilation, and a heated steering wheel, enhancing its luxurious appeal.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue featured a turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine with a variable compression design, producing 201 horsepower and 225 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) and offered front-wheel drive as standard, with all-wheel drive available. The Rogue provided Eco, Auto, and Sport driving modes, with additional Off-Road and Snow modes for AWD versions. Despite its responsive performance in urban settings, the Rogue lacked passing power on the highway and had some issues with engine noise and vibration. The EPA estimated a combined fuel economy of 31 mpg, but our test vehicle averaged 28.9 mpg.

The 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan came with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. It was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with front-wheel drive as standard and Volkswagen's 4Motion all-wheel drive available for an additional $1,500 on lower trims and standard on the top trim. The AWD Tiguan had a slightly larger fuel tank and a combined fuel economy rating of 24-25 mpg, depending on the trim. Our experience with the Tiguan SEL R-Line revealed inconsistent power delivery and a touchy gas pedal, but good visibility and handling. The ride was comfortable, though the seating surfaces drew some complaints.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue was designed to replace the traditional family car, offering ample space for four people and the ability to carry a fifth when needed. Our Platinum test vehicle featured premium semi-aniline leather upholstery, a dual-panel panoramic sunroof, and a triple-zone automatic climate control system. The front seats were comfortable, thanks to Nissan's Zero Gravity design, but the rear seats were less so, with low-mounted cushions and diamond-shaped pleats. The Rogue provided 36.5 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 74.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down.

The 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan, in its two-row AWD configuration, offered 37.6 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 73.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The three-row FWD version had less cargo space but still provided ample passenger room. The Tiguan's front seats offered 39.6 inches of headroom and 40.2 inches of legroom, while the second row had 38.7 inches of legroom. The third row, available only in the FWD model, was tight with 33.8 inches of headroom and 27.9 inches of legroom. Despite the firm seats, the Tiguan's interior space was well-utilized, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue featured an older infotainment system with an 8-inch or 9-inch touchscreen, depending on the trim. Our test vehicle had the larger screen, along with Bluetooth connectivity, satellite radio, wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, 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 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan came with an 8-inch center touchscreen and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The base Tiguan S had a smaller 6.5-inch screen and fewer USB-C ports. Volkswagen's Digital Cockpit System was standard, with the SEL R-Line featuring a fully configurable 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro screen. The Tiguan also offered a nine-speaker Fender Premium Audio System on the top trim, providing excellent sound quality. The haptic touch slider buttons for climate control were responsive, though the physical volume knob's design was less user-friendly.

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 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 some specific tests.

The 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan also boasted a robust safety package, earning a 2022 Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS. For 2024, Volkswagen's IQ.DRIVE suite became standard, adding adaptive cruise control, active blind-spot monitoring, Lane Assist, Travel Assist, and Emergency Assist. These features complemented the existing safety systems, including rain-sensing wipers, rear cross-traffic alert, and forward collision warning with pedestrian detection. Park Distance Control became standard at the SE R-Line Black trim level, though its performance was mixed.