2024 Nissan Rogue vs 2024 Mazda CX-50

The 2024 Nissan Rogue underwent its first significant styling update since its current generation was launched in 2021. The available trim levels remained S, SV, SL, and Platinum. The Rogue's new, larger grille seamlessly integrated with its distinct stack headlights and daytime running lights, enhancing its unique front-end design. Nissan also introduced a redesigned rear fascia, though the changes were subtle, primarily affecting the inner taillight elements. Additional exterior changes included satin-finish badging and new wheel designs: 18-inch wheels for the Rogue SV and 19-inch machined-finish wheels for the Rogue Platinum. The Platinum trim also featured additional black exterior trim and an optional black roof.

The Rogue’s dashboard saw updates to accommodate a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, lending a more premium feel to the cabin. Rogue SV models benefited from upgraded materials across the interior, covering door panels, seats, the center console, and the dashboard. Most models now featured dual-zone automatic climate control. The upscale interior of the Rogue Platinum, with its leather seats featuring quilted stitching and a new Chestnut brown color option, felt both luxurious and well-appointed for a vehicle in this segment.

In contrast, the 2024 Mazda CX-50 presented itself as a rugged counterpart to the Mazda CX-5. It boasted broader, more robust proportions, being 1.4 inches lower, 3 inches wider, and 5.7 inches longer, with a 4.6-inch wheelbase stretch compared to the CX-5. The car emphasized its broad-shouldered look with square wheel arches and faux air vents below the headlights and taillights. The CX-50, available in eight trim levels, featured distinctive elements like 17-inch wheels on lower trims and 20-inch wheels on higher trims.

Our test vehicle, the 2.5 Turbo Meridian Edition, enhanced the CX-50’s rugged image with all-terrain tires on 18-inch wheels, a black hood graphic, pronounced rocker-panel trim, and an optional Apex Package with a roof platform and splash guards. The CX-50 adorned earthy paint options such as Polymetal Gray Metallic or Zircon Sand Metallic and Terracotta leather upholstery. The interior, with its well-placed infotainment screen and impressive material quality, was pleasing and practical. Still, Mazda’s ambitions to become an upscale brand were evident but not fully realized in the CX-50.

The 2024 Nissan Rogue featured a unique powertrain with its 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine, producing 201 horsepower and 225 pound-feet of torque. This engine, part of Nissan’s VC-Turbo family, could vary its compression ratio to optimize for power or fuel economy. It outperformed several competitors' engines, including the Honda CR-V’s 1.5-liter four-cylinder and Subaru Forester’s 2.5-liter boxer-four, in terms of power and torque. Yet, the continuously variable transmission (CVT) dampened the performance, being slow to transfer the engine’s thrust to the wheels. The Rogue’s suspension felt firmer but offered no discernible advantage in handling.

Conversely, the 2024 Mazda CX-50 provided a choice between a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, and a turbocharged option producing up to 256 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque on 93-octane fuel. All models came with a six-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive, as well as various driving modes including Normal, Sport, Off-road, and Towing (for turbo models). While the CX-50 shared powertrains with the CX-5, it offered a less sporty driving experience and felt more conventional. The off-road capabilities of our Meridian Edition were interesting, but the all-terrain tires added extra noise without significantly enhancing on-road handling.

In terms of passenger space, the 2024 Nissan Rogue matched its rivals like the Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson, Subaru Forester, and Toyota RAV4, with main differences in legroom distribution. The Rogue offered 36.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and up to 74.1 cubic feet with them folded. It featured the optional Divide-N-Hide cargo system, offering flexibility in cargo space configuration. The Rogue also included thoughtful touches such as a grocery bag holder space and a power liftgate on higher trims.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 came with similar passenger space to the CX-5, having slightly less headroom but more legroom in both rows. Compared to its competition, the CX-50 offered 31.4 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats in place and 56.3 cubic feet with them folded, which trailed most rivals but was slightly better than the Subaru Forester. The CX-50’s cargo area was not tailored for rugged use but included a power liftgate for easier access. While the Meridian Edition’s more rugged looks were not fully matched by practical features, the interior layout was sensible with sufficient storage space.

Lower-level 2024 Nissan Rogue models came with an 8-inch touchscreen and wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher SL and Platinum trims upgraded to a 12.3-inch touchscreen with wireless connectivity, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and Google built-in apps. The Rogue became the first Nissan to feature Google built-in, although the free connectivity period was limited to five years. The dual 12.3-inch display setup was a significant improvement over previous systems. Nissan also extended the trial period for Nissan Connect Services to three years on all but the base model, offering features like remote door lock/unlock and remote engine start/stop.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50, on the other hand, came standard with a 10.25-inch infotainment screen that was non-touchscreen, operated via a rotary controller and buttons on the center console. While this setup provided tactile feedback and kept the driver’s eyes on the road, it felt dated and basic in functionality. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay but required a cable for Android Auto users. Higher trims added features like wireless charging and a 12-speaker Bose system but overall offered less tech appeal compared to the Rogue.

The 2024 Nissan Rogue achieved commendable safety scores, with top ratings in most IIHS crash tests and a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA. It came with standard driver-assist features such as automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane departure warning. Higher trims offered ProPilot Assist, which provided adaptive cruise control and lane centering.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 was named a 2023 Top Safety Pick by IIHS, scoring highly in all crash tests and front-crash prevention tech. However, it scored lower on the nighttime vehicle-to-pedestrian test. NHTSA provided partial ratings for frontal and rollover crash tests. The CX-50 included a comprehensive suite of standard driver-assist features like automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control, with additional optional features like traffic-jam assist and a 360-degree camera system.