2024 Nissan Rogue vs 2024 Kia Sorento

The 2024 Nissan Rogue received its first major styling update since the current generation's launch in 2021. The model lineup, which includes S, SV, SL, and Platinum models, remained unchanged. Nissan introduced a new, larger grille that seamlessly blended with the stacked headlights and daytime running lights, marking the Rogue's distinctive look. A redesigned rear fascia featured subtle updates, including revamped inner taillight elements. The exterior updates continued with satin-finish badging and new wheel designs. The Rogue SV gained new 18-inch wheels, while the Rogue Platinum flaunted new 19-inch machined-finish wheels and additional black exterior trim, with an optional black roof.

Inside, Nissan revamped the Rogue’s dashboard to accommodate a new 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, giving the interior a premium feel. The SV models got upgraded materials on nearly every surface, including the door panels, seats, center console, and dashboard. Dual-zone automatic climate control was a standard feature in most models. The upscale interior of the Platinum model, complete with leather seats featuring new Chestnut brown color and quilted stitching, heightened the cabin’s luxurious feel. The Rogue’s leather upholstery was notable for its quality, surpassing the rubbery texture often seen in competitors.

In contrast, the 2024 Kia Sorento also underwent a significant visual update, aligning its aesthetics more closely with its popular siblings, the Telluride and EV9. The Sorento adopted a bold, bluff new grille flanked by vertically-stacked LED projector-beam headlights and wing-like amber LED daytime running lights. This update gave the Sorento a more imposing and contemporary look, making it appear larger and more intimidating. Subtle rear updates included new bumpers and pretty LED taillights on higher trims.

The Sorento maintained its trim levels—LX, S, EX, SX, and SX-Prestige, with the rugged X-Line package available from the EX model upwards. The new X-Pro trim looked similar to the X-Line but came with smaller wheels and all-terrain tires for a more aggressive stance. Both X-Line and X-Pro trims offered blacked-out wheels and earth-tone paint colors, exuding a visually clean and outdoorsy appeal.

Inside, the Sorento’s new dashboard mirrored the vast horizontal expanse seen in the EV9. The combined gauge cluster and infotainment displays, under a single pane of glass, asserted a modern, upscale look. SX and SX-Prestige models boasted twin 12.3-inch displays. The updated interior materials, including faux open-pore wood grain and high-quality stitching on optional leather-wrapped features, significantly enhanced the cabin's luxury feel.

The 2024 Nissan Rogue featured a unique 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine, underscored by Nissan’s VC-Turbo technology capable of varying its compression ratio for power or fuel efficiency. The engine delivered an impressive 201 horsepower and 225 pound-feet of torque, outperforming many competitors’ engines, including the Honda CR-V’s 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder and Subaru Forester’s 2.5-liter boxer-four. Despite its power, the continuously variable transmission (CVT) was notorious for its delayed response, detracting from the engine's potential. The Rogue offered front-wheel drive as standard, with all-wheel drive as an option.

Surprisingly, despite the Rogue’s robust engine, its suspension was on the firmer side, which negatively impacted ride quality without an apparent benefit to handling. While the vehicle was quiet, the droning exhaust note was less than appealing.

The 2024 Kia Sorento, apart from the X-Pro’s extras, retained most of its mechanical elements from previous years. The base 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine produced 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque, which struggled with the Sorento's 3,814-pound heft, resulting in sluggish acceleration. EX and higher models received a more powerful 2.5-liter turbocharged engine generating 281 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque paired with a dual-clutch eight-speed automatic transmission. This powertrain offered mid-seven-second zero-to-60 times, better passing power, and a more engaging drive, despite being noisy under hard acceleration.

The Sorento offered front-wheel drive as standard, with all-wheel drive available on higher trims. The X-Line setup provided 8.2 inches of ground clearance, making a significant difference in usability. The Sorento, especially in its X-Pro guise, performed admirably off-road and in poor weather conditions, enhanced by all-terrain tires and various drive and terrain modes. Standard Sorentos offered 2,000 pounds of towing capacity, while the X-Line and X-Pro could tow 3,500 and 4,500 pounds respectively.

The 2024 Nissan Rogue and its competitors like the Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson, Subaru Forester, and Toyota RAV4 offered similar passenger space across both rows of seats, with slight variations in legroom. The Rogue provided a maximum of 36.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 74.1 cubic feet with them folded, positioning it between the CR-V and Tucson in terms of cargo capacity but ahead of the Forester.

Nissan’s Divide-N-Hide system allowed for flexible cargo management, offering a choice between a flat cargo floor with hidden storage or a lowered floor for increased height. The cargo area featured molded spaces for holding grocery bags, and higher trims came with power and motion-activated liftgates. The center console offered innovative storage solutions, although some sections were less accessible.

The 2024 Kia Sorento’s cabin was thoroughly modernized, offering comfortable seating in the first two rows and tighter third-row accommodations. The Sorento excelled with 41.4 inches of front legroom and 41.7 inches in the second row, surpassing many two-row SUVs. The third row had 29.6 inches of legroom, which, while cramped, compared favorably to other small three-row SUVs like the Toyota Highlander.

The Sorento's third row limited its cargo capacity to 12.6 cubic feet when in use, but folding it down expanded the space to between 38.5 and 45 cubic feet, depending on trim. With all seats folded, it offered up to 72.1 cubic feet of cargo space, comparable to the Honda Passport. Higher trims featured a power liftgate for added convenience.

For technology and infotainment, the 2024 Nissan Rogue offered an 8-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on lower trims. SL and Platinum models benefited from a 12.3-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, accompanied by a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and Amazon Alexa connectivity. The introduction of Google built-in apps was a key highlight, integrating Google Maps, Assistant, and Play Store directly with the vehicle's system for five years. Multiple USB-C ports and a wireless charging pad on higher trims ensured ample device connectivity.

Conversely, the 2024 Kia Sorento featured a unified twin 12.3-inch display setup on higher trims, incorporating the new "Connected Car Navigation Cockpit" (CCnC) software. This system prioritized essential functions on the home screen and offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Over-the-air updates kept the system current, and multiple USB-C ports catered to all three rows of seating. Higher trims boasted a premium Bose 12-speaker audio system and Digital Key 2.0, which allowed phone or smart card functionalities for vehicle access.

The 2024 Nissan Rogue garnered respectable safety scores, with “Good” ratings in most IIHS tests and a five-star overall rating from NHTSA. Its 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. ProPilot Assist, offering advanced driver assistance, was optional on higher trims.

The 2024 Kia Sorento’s Drivewise suite continued to offer extensive safety features. Standard equipment comprised adaptive cruise control, forward automatic emergency braking, intersection assistance, lane-following and lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and more. Higher trims featured navigation-based adaptive cruise control and semi-autonomous Highway Driving Assist 2. The IIHS gave previous Sorento models “Good” ratings in key tests, though the LATCH system received an “Acceptable” rating. NHTSA had not yet rated the 2024 Sorento.