2023 Nissan Rogue vs 2023 Subaru Outback

For 2023, Subaru refreshed the Outback's look with a facelift that included a revamped front end featuring redesigned LED headlights, a restyled grille, and a reworked bumper equipped with dark gray vertical cladding. This aggressive appearance was further accentuated by a jutting simulated skid plate, fog lights encased in oversized housings, and asymmetrical wheel arch trims reminiscent of the Wilderness model. Whether these updates made it more appealing was subjective, but selecting a dark paint color helped tone down the flamboyant design elements. Additionally, the Onyx Edition, which came with black wheels and trim, provided a more harmonious look with the audacious cladding.

The Onyx Edition was extended to include the base powertrain alongside the turbo variant, making it more accessible at a starting price of $33,495—a $5,100 saving compared to the turbocharged Onyx Edition XT version. With six trim levels—Base, Premium, Onyx Edition, Limited, Touring, and Wilderness—the Outback offered an extensive range, and prices ranged from $28,395 to $42,295, excluding a $1,225 destination charge.

Driving the Touring trim was a visual treat, especially in Cosmic Blue paint paired with Java Brown premium Nappa leather upholstery. The interior design was upscale, blending contrasting dashboard and door panels beautifully, making the overall cabin appearance engaging and cohesive. Conversely, a drawback was the large infotainment screen and gloss black trim on the center console, which tended to gather dust and smudges quickly.

Meanwhile, the 2023 Nissan Rogue maintained its appealing and proportionate design, ensuring it stayed within the comfort zone of its broad customer base without taking significant risks. With prices varying from $27,360 to $37,140 plus a $1,295 destination charge, the Rogue lineup encompassed the S, SV, SL, and Platinum trims, with further customization available through optional Premium and Midnight Edition packages for the SV.

Our test vehicle, the fully-loaded Platinum trim with the Premium package, showcased upscale touches like soft, diamond-pattern leather seats and a mix of premium materials. However, overlapping price points with luxury brands like the Infiniti QX50 placed it in a challenging position, but Nissan aimed to justify this with its high-quality interior and long list of upscale features.

Subaru's hallmark boxer engines powered the 2023 Outback. Our test model, equipped with the standard 2.5-liter flat-four engine, made 182 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 176 lb-ft of torque at 4,400 rpm. Weighing 3,781 pounds, the Outback felt underpowered, especially when passing or climbing hills, despite the continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) optimizing performance at lower speeds. Although the Outback promised a 28 mpg combined fuel economy, our test results averaged 25.6 mpg over 600 miles, attributed partly to frequent efforts to accelerate.

In contrast, the turbocharged 2.4-liter flat-four engine option in the XT models delivered a more robust 260 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 277 lb-ft of torque between 2,000 rpm and 4,800 rpm. This enhanced performance, albeit with trade-offs in weight and a slight dip in fuel efficiency (ranging from 25 mpg combined to 23 mpg for the Wilderness trim), had significant appeal for those needing more power.

The impressive all-wheel-drive system, standard across all Outback models, featured Active Torque Split technology, aiding traction on varying terrains. Off-road capabilities shone with the rugged X-Mode traction system and generous ground clearance, making the Outback adept at handling challenging conditions. Despite its underwhelming power with the base engine, the vehicle's handling and ride quality notably excelled, balancing comfort and responsiveness.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue swapped its previous 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine for a new 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine, producing 201 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 225 lb-ft of torque from 2,800 to 4,000 rpm. The combination of turbocharging and variable compression design aimed to balance performance and fuel economy. Our test version matched anticipated urban and suburban responsiveness but lagged in highway passing power. The drivetrain not only vibrated at times but also returned 28.9 mpg, falling short of the expected 31 mpg.

Additionally, the Rogue's suite of technologies—ranging from brake-induced ride and cornering enhancements to various driving modes and supportive AWD versions—offered features adapted for diverse driving conditions. The suspension system was generally effective, though it exhibited some excessive motion on undulating roads. Despite minimal steering feedback, the Rogue largely delivered consistent and secure handling.

The 2023 Subaru Outback excelled in utility, featuring a purpose-driven roof rack, flat door sills, and a dashboard storage shelf, which underscored its practical design. Comfort was also eminent; our Touring trim test vehicle's 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat, combined with Java Brown premium Nappa leather and heated features, made long drives pleasant. The roomy interior maintained comfort for four people even on lengthy trips, although wind noise on highways and the engine's performance were minor drawbacks.

The Outback offered effortless entry and exit due to its height and the adjustable front seats, catering well to all passengers. With a cargo capacity of 32.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 75.6 cubic feet with them folded down, it offered ample space for luggage, enhanced by a practical and robust roof rack. The inclusion of more storage options within the cabin could have further increased its utility, though the shelf on the dashboard was handy.

Conversely, the 2023 Nissan Rogue catered well as a replacement for a traditional family car, with features making it practical and easy to get in and out. The Platinum trim provided an equally premium interior, albeit lacking ventilated front seats. Comfortable Nissan Zero Gravity seats and additional rear seat features made journeys enjoyable for four adults, albeit with compromised rear seat comfort over long distances.

Excellent outward visibility, coupled with a practical cargo area of 36.5 cubic feet behind the back seats and up to 74.1 cubic feet with them folded, offered considerable space. The optional Divide-N-Hide feature contributed to cargo flexibility, although minor annoyances like difficult-to-use remote entry fobs detracted slightly from its user experience.

Subaru's 2023 Outback, except for the Base trim, displayed a Starlink 11.6-inch touchscreen in portrait orientation. This system combined physical controls with embedded functions, offering enhanced usability. Available features included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a navigation system, and a Harman Kardon premium audio system. Despite improvements, the Starlink system still fell short with its voice-recognition technology, underperforming significantly in practical tests.

Additional useful tech features included a camera-based digital rearview mirror and a 180-degree front-view camera, highlighting Subaru's efforts in visual and functional enhancements. However, the absence of a surround-view camera slightly limited its advanced parking assistance options.

The Nissan Rogue offered an older but still well-equipped infotainment system, with an 8-inch or 9-inch touchscreen depending on the model. The 9-inch system came with wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, and essential technologies like NissanConnect services and Alexa Built-in (though functionality seemed inconsistent). Despite similar shortcomings in voice-recognition capabilities, the intuitive layout and additional tech features including a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and a head-up display contributed to an overall positive experience.

Subaru's dedication to safety came through with its advanced EyeSight system, standard on all 2023 Outback models. It bundled adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and more. Select trims included Automatic Emergency Steering for obstacle avoidance. Additionally, the Outback performed impeccably in IIHS tests, earning top marks, and incorporated an effective Rear Automatic Braking system albeit with some operational limitations.

Similarly, the 2023 Nissan Rogue was loaded with safety gear, including Safety Shield 360, standard forward-collision warning, rear automatic braking, and blind-spot monitoring. ProPilot Assist with Navi-link on higher trims provided a seamless semi-autonomous driving experience. Though the Rogue faced challenges in some IIHS tests, it earned an overall five-star rating from NHTSA, confirming its robust safety credentials.