2023 Volkswagen ID.4 vs 2024 Nissan Rogue

Volkswagen made subtle styling changes to the 2023 ID.4, including a gloss black trim on the front bumper and a more squared-off rear bumper design aimed at improving aerodynamics. New wheel designs and colors were introduced, and the rear VW logo now lights up. Despite these updates, the ID.4 didn't look particularly SUV-like, lacking the upright profile and ground clearance typical of traditional SUVs. This could be a drawback for buyers attracted to those features, although it was a common issue among many electric vehicles, such as the Chevrolet Bolt EUV.

The ID.4 was built on VW’s MEB platform, designed specifically for EVs, offering modularity to support various models. The interior maintained the best qualities of recent VW gasoline-car interiors, featuring a minimalist design and a sense of quality. Even the base ID.4 Standard model, with its manual driver’s seat, didn’t feel like a significant downgrade from higher-level trims. Leatherette upholstery with recycled fiber inserts was standard for 2023, enhancing the eco-friendly appeal.

The 2024 Nissan Rogue received its first major styling update since its 2021 launch. The lineup of trim levels remained the same, including S, SV, SL, and Platinum models. A new, larger grille blended well with the stack headlights and daytime running lights, while the rear fascia saw minor changes with redesigned inner taillight elements. The Rogue SV grade got a new 18-inch wheel design, and the Platinum model featured a new 19-inch wheel design with a machined-finish look, along with more black exterior trim and an optional black roof.

Nissan also updated the dashboard to accommodate a new 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, giving the Rogue a more premium feel. The Rogue SV models received new materials on nearly every interior surface, and most models came with dual-zone automatic climate control. The upscale interior design of the Platinum model, with leather seats and quilted stitching, made it feel worthy of its top-tier status. The leather upholstery didn’t feel out of place in the well-appointed cabin, enhancing the overall premium experience.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 offered a new 62-kWh battery pack for the base Standard and S models, available only with RWD. The Pro, Pro S, and Pro S Plus trims retained the 82-kWh pack, available with either RWD or AWD. Single-motor RWD models produced 201 horsepower and 229 pound-feet of torque, while dual-motor AWD models increased output to 295 hp and 339 lb-ft of torque, achieving 0-60 mph in 5.7 seconds.

Volkswagen estimated that the smaller battery pack reduced curb weight by 240 pounds, potentially improving acceleration and handling. The 62-kWh ID.4 Standard felt spritely during a short drive, though more seat time was needed for a proper comparison with the larger-battery version. The AWD ID.4 had acceleration comparable to hot hatchbacks like the Golf GTI and Golf R but lacked the handling finesse. The ID.4 used regenerative braking but didn’t offer one-pedal driving, which might disappoint some EV enthusiasts.

The 2024 Nissan Rogue featured a 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine, a VC-Turbo engine capable of varying its compression ratio for power or fuel economy. The engine produced 201 horsepower and 225 pound-feet of torque, outperforming competitors like the Honda CR-V and Subaru Forester. However, the standard continuously variable transmission (CVT) was slow to transfer power to the wheels, and the Rogue’s suspension felt firmer than the segment norm, degrading ride quality without improving handling.

The Rogue came standard with front-wheel drive, with all-wheel drive available. While the engine’s performance was impressive, the CVT and firm suspension detracted from the overall driving experience. The Rogue was quiet, but the droning exhaust note was a downside.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 offered more interior space than other affordable EVs, with more front-seat and rear-seat legroom than the Chevrolet Bolt EV or Nissan Leaf, and more headroom than the 2023 Kia Niro EV. It provided 30.3 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 64.2 cubic feet with the seats folded, making it more spacious than most entry-level EVs. The ID.4 also had a towing capacity of 2,200 pounds for RWD models and 2,700 pounds for AWD models.

VW made small interior changes for 2023, including a conventional lid for the center console and a better spot for a phone. Three-zone climate control was now available, with rear-seat controls and heated outboard rear seats.

The 2024 Nissan Rogue offered nearly identical passenger space to rivals like the Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson, Subaru Forester, and Toyota RAV4, with slight differences in legroom. The Rogue provided 36.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 74.1 cubic feet with the seats folded, offering less space than the CR-V or Tucson but more than the Forester.

Nissan’s optional Divide-N-Hide system allowed for a flat cargo floor with hidden storage or a lower floor for increased cargo height. The cargo area included a molded-in space for grocery bags, and higher trims offered a power liftgate and motion-activated liftgate. The center console had a pass-through space and a storage tray at floor level, though accessing it was awkward.

For 2023, the Volkswagen ID.4 came standard with a 12.0-inch touchscreen, replacing the previous 10.0-inch screen on lower trims. The infotainment system received software updates for improved responsiveness, while wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto remained standard. The ID.Cockpit digital instrument cluster was also standard. The user interface included sharp graphics and natural-language voice recognition, but the haptic touchpads on the dashboard and steering wheel were distracting.

The ID.4 also featured ID.Light, an ambient lighting system that changed color based on drive mode and provided navigation cues. While clever, it was easily overlooked during normal driving.

The 2024 Nissan Rogue’s lower-level S and SV models came with an 8-inch touchscreen and wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The SL and Platinum models received a larger 12.3-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Amazon Alexa connectivity, and Google built-in apps. Google built-in integrated Google Maps, Google Assistant, and the Google Play app store directly with the vehicle’s infotainment system.

The dual 12.3-inch screen setup was a significant improvement, with modern graphics and easy-to-navigate menus. The touchscreen in the Rogue Platinum test car was occasionally slow to boot up, but this might have been due to it being a pre-production vehicle. Nissan also included multiple USB-C ports and a wireless device charging pad on higher trims. The free trial period for Nissan Connect Services was extended to three years, offering features like remote door lock/unlock, remote engine start/stop, vehicle health reports, and emergency calling.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with five stars in frontal and side crash tests, and four stars in rollover tests. The 2022 model received the IIHS’ highest “Top Safety Pick+” rating, with top scores in all crash tests and high ratings for front crash prevention. The ID.4 also had a good complement of standard driver-assist features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and VW’s Travel Assist 2.0.

For 2023, the ID.4 added standard Park Assist Plus automated parking, an automated lane-change feature for Travel Assist, and a 360-degree camera system.

The 2024 Nissan Rogue received top “Good” ratings in several IIHS crash tests and an “Acceptable” rating in the updated side-impact test. It also received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with five stars in side crash tests and four stars in rollover and frontal crash tests.

Standard driver-assist features included automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, and rear automatic emergency braking. Higher trims offered adaptive cruise control and ProPilot Assist, which added automated lane centering for highway driving. The more advanced version of ProPilot Assist, available on SL and Platinum trims, used the navigation system to help slow for curves and interchanges.