2023 Volvo XC40 vs 2023 Nissan Rogue

The 2023 Volvo XC40 had a distinctive design, combining Volvo’s current design language with a flat-roofed profile that was very SUV-like. It boasted a clean exterior without extraneous detailing, and models with gasoline engines had hidden tailpipes in keeping with Volvo’s pro-electrification ethos. Fog lights were standard on Plus and Ultimate models. For 2023, Volvo updated the exterior styling with new pixelated “Thor’s Hammer” headlights, a more angular front bumper, and new wheel designs. The XC40 Recharge was easier to identify thanks to a new sealed-off grille.

Inside, the XC40 maintained its minimalist design with attractive touches like thin air vents framing the central touchscreen and scalloped elements housing the door handles and speaker grilles. Dual-zone automatic climate control was standard, with an optional air purifier. Leather upholstery was available, with vegan leather for Recharge models. The XC40 Ultimate test vehicle featured a panoramic moonroof and an Orrefors crystal shift knob, but the all-black interior seemed designed for Stockholm taxi service. Fit and finish were good, but the materials reminded us that the XC40 was Volvo’s entry-level model.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue had proper proportions, handsomely chiseled styling, and just the right amount of SUV detailing to convey a rugged sense of purpose. The lineup included S, SV, SL, and Platinum trim levels, with prices ranging from $27,360 to $37,140, plus a $1,295 destination charge. The SV, SL, and Platinum trims were available with optional Premium packages, while the new Midnight Edition package was exclusive to SV trim.

The test vehicle arrived in Platinum trim with the Premium option package, AWD, two-tone paint, and several other upgrades, inflating the MSRP to $43,100. This price overlapped with the most affordable version of the Infiniti QX50. However, the Platinum trim offered a long list of upscale upgrades, most evident in its soft, supple, diamond-pattern leather seats. Many surfaces that the driver and front passenger touched were soft, and the controls and materials met the quality standards of the compact SUV segment.

The 2023 Volvo XC40 saw a significant change under the hood with the introduction of mild-hybrid powertrains. These added a 48-volt electrical system and a 13-horsepower integrated starter generator, assisting the gasoline engine and improving fuel economy. Volvo offered two versions of this setup: the base B4 powertrain with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 197 hp and 221 lb-ft of torque, and the B5 model with a more powerful 2.0-liter turbo-four rated at 247 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. Both powertrains came with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with the B4 being FWD-only and the B5 AWD-only.

Volvo claimed that B4 and B5 models could accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 8.1 seconds and 6.1 seconds, respectively. The B5 test car felt reasonably quick, though the accelerator pedal required extra initial pressure, making smooth starts tricky. The combination of electric assist and turbo boost ensured plenty of power on tap. The XC40 was electronically limited to a top speed of 112 mph for safety. The XC40 Recharge, with its two electric motors producing a combined 402 hp and 486 lb-ft of torque, could accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds and had an EPA-rated 223-mile range. The Recharge also had a maximum towing capacity of 4,409 pounds, compared to 3,500 pounds for the B5 AWD model.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue featured a new turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine with variable compression design, replacing the previous 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. The VC-Turbo engine produced 201 hp at 5,600 rpm and 225 lb-ft of torque from 2,800 rpm to 4,000 rpm. The CVT included paddle shifters, and the engine powered the Rogue’s front wheels unless equipped with the optional AWD system. All Rogues offered Eco, Auto, and Sport driving modes, with AWD versions adding Off-Road and Snow modes.

The new VC-Turbo powertrain felt responsive in urban and suburban driving situations, though it lacked passing power on the highway. The engine had an unusual note and issued some vibration through the accelerator pedal. The EPA estimated 31 mpg in combined driving, but the test vehicle averaged 28.9 mpg. The Rogue employed a strut-type front and multi-link rear suspension design, with automatic brake hold, hill start assist, and large 19-inch alloy wheels. The Rogue handled speed humps and bumps well but exhibited more lateral and vertical body motion on undulating pavement. The steering felt lifeless, but the vehicle demonstrated a good balance of ride compliance and body control.

The 2023 Volvo XC40, while marketed as an SUV, was better suited for solo commuting than school-run carpooling. It offered reasonable space among its competitive set, with ample rear-seat headroom and front-seat headroom just behind the Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class. Legroom in both rows was average, but generous shoulder room contributed to a feeling of spaciousness. Volvo listed 20 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats in place and 46.9 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, less than the BMW X1 and Audi Q3. A power tailgate and keyless entry were standard on Plus and Ultimate models. The XC40 also offered good interior storage with large carve-outs in the door panels and a sizable center console storage bin.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue served as a replacement for the traditional family car, accommodating four people comfortably and a fifth person when necessary. The Platinum test vehicle featured a triple-zone automatic climate control system, a dual-panel panoramic sunroof, and premium semi-aniline leather upholstery with diamond-stitched inserts. Both front seats were heated, and the driver’s seat was eight-way power-adjustable. The Rogue’s Zero Gravity seat designs provided comfort, though height adjustment for the front passenger was lacking. Outward visibility was good, but the remote keyless entry fob had poorly defined buttons, making it difficult to use in low light.

The Rogue’s rear doors opened to a nearly 90-degree angle, making it easy to load and unload kids. The back seat was roomy but not comfortable, with a low bottom cushion and diamond-shaped pleats that felt like sitting on bubble wrap. Storage space was plentiful but unlined, causing unwanted noise. The hands-free power liftgate revealed up to 36.5 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 74.1 cubic feet with the back seats folded. The Divide-N-Hide feature allowed for six different cargo area configurations, and underfloor storage areas were included.

For 2023, gasoline XC40 models received the Android-based infotainment system introduced on the XC40 Recharge. This system used Google apps, with Google Maps for navigation and Google Assistant for voice recognition. A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 9-inch touchscreen were standard, with a 13-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system available on the Ultimate trim. The infotainment experience was similar to other Volvo models with the Android operating system, though users who preferred Apple might not find the Google built-in features as satisfying. The minimalist design meant a lack of analog controls, with most functions controlled via the touchscreen.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue used an older version of Nissan’s infotainment system, with a standard 8-inch or available 9-inch touchscreen display. The test vehicle had the larger 9-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth connectivity, satellite radio, wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, NissanConnect services, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a navigation system with a door-to-door function. It also featured a wireless smartphone charging pad and a Bose premium audio system. Alexa Built-in was new for 2023 and standard in the Rogue Platinum, though the voice recognition technology struggled with certain requests.

The test vehicle also had a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a head-up display (HUD), both of which worked well. However, the voice recognition system had difficulty understanding some commands, leading to frustration during testing.

The 2023 Volvo XC40 reflected Volvo’s reputation for safety with a comprehensive list of standard features, including lane keep assist, automatic emergency braking, Oncoming Lane Mitigation, traffic sign recognition, rear parking sensors, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross traffic alert. Upgrading to the Plus trim added front parking sensors, while the Ultimate trim added side parking sensors, a 360-degree camera system, adaptive cruise control, and Pilot Assist. The IIHS gave the XC40 top “Good” ratings in most crash tests but an “Acceptable” rating in the updated side-impact test. The NHTSA awarded the gasoline XC40 a five-star overall safety rating.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue came with 10 airbags, a rear-seat reminder system, and Safety Shield 360, which 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 trim levels offered ProPilot Assist with Navi-link, combining adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance. The Rogue earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS for the 2022 calendar year but received Marginal and Acceptable scores in updated crash tests. The NHTSA awarded the Rogue a five-star overall rating, with four stars for frontal-impact collisions.