2023 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2024 Nissan Rogue

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan maintained its design from the previous year, offering a range of trims from S to SEL R-Line, with prices starting at $26,950. Despite its variety of exterior and interior options, the Tiguan's choices were limited by trim level, making it challenging to find the perfect combination. The SEL R-Line trim, with its Atlantic Blue paint and Storm Gray leather interior, stood out for its sporty appearance and upscale cabin, featuring quality materials and advanced lighting. However, the interior controls, particularly the touch-sensing ones, were criticized for their usability issues.

The 2024 Nissan Rogue received its first major styling update since 2021, featuring a new grille and redesigned taillights. It offered trim levels from S to Platinum, with the latter boasting more black exterior trim and an optional black roof. Inside, the Rogue's dashboard was updated to accommodate a new 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, enhancing its premium feel. The Rogue Platinum's interior was praised for its leather seats and quilted stitching, providing a luxurious experience. However, the Rogue's ride quality was noted to be firmer than expected, affecting its handling.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan was equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered front-wheel drive as standard, with an optional 4Motion all-wheel-drive system. The SEL R-Line trim included AWD and various driving modes, enhancing its versatility. The Tiguan's fuel efficiency was rated at 24 mpg combined, though real-world testing showed slightly lower results. While the powertrain had some quirks, the Tiguan's dynamic qualities, such as its steering and stability, were commendable.

The 2024 Nissan Rogue featured a 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine, delivering 201 horsepower and 225 pound-feet of torque. This VC-Turbo engine allowed for variable compression ratios, optimizing power and fuel economy. Despite its impressive engine, the Rogue's continuously variable transmission (CVT) was criticized for its sluggish response. The Rogue's suspension was firmer than expected, impacting ride quality without improving handling. However, the engine's performance was notable, even if the exhaust note was less appealing.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan offered a spacious interior, with FWD models featuring a standard third-row seat. However, opting for AWD increased cargo space, making it one of the largest in its class. The SEL R-Line trim provided comfortable front seats with power adjustments, heating, and ventilation. Despite its roomy interior, the Tiguan's dashboard controls were criticized for their touch-sensing design, which hindered usability. The cargo area was generous, with adjustable load floor height and convenient storage features.

The 2024 Nissan Rogue provided competitive passenger space, with slight variations in legroom compared to rivals. Its cargo capacity was slightly less than some competitors, but the optional Divide-N-Hide system offered flexibility in storage configurations. The Rogue's interior featured a pass-through center console and a storage tray at floor level, though accessing it was somewhat awkward. The Rogue's cargo area included a molded-in space for grocery bags and an available power liftgate, enhancing its practicality.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan came with digital instrumentation, with the SEL R-Line featuring a 10.25-inch display. The infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a premium sound system. However, the user interface was criticized for its complexity and touch-sensitive controls, which could be distracting. The voice-recognition system also fell short of expectations, limiting its usefulness.

The 2024 Nissan Rogue offered an 8-inch touchscreen on lower trims, while SL and Platinum models received a 12.3-inch touchscreen with wireless connectivity. The Rogue was the first Nissan to feature Google built-in software, integrating Google Maps and Assistant directly into the infotainment system. While this provided enhanced connectivity, it required a data plan for full functionality. The Rogue's dual 12.3-inch screen setup was praised for its modern graphics and user-friendly menus, though the system occasionally experienced slow boot times.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan featured standard safety technologies like Front Assist and Side Assist, along with an Automatic Post Collision Braking System. The IQ.Drive package added advanced features such as adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist. While the Tiguan's safety technology was effective, its crash-test ratings were incomplete, with concerns about the driver's door unlatching during side-impact tests. The IIHS had previously awarded it a Top Safety Pick+ rating, but this did not apply for 2023.

The 2024 Nissan Rogue received strong safety ratings, with top scores from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and lane departure warning. Higher trims offered ProPilot Assist, an advanced driver assistance system with lane centering and navigation-based speed adjustments. While not the most advanced system, it was more capable than many competitors' offerings.