Toyota 4Runner vs Nissan Rogue

The 2024 Nissan Rogue received its first major styling update since the 2021 model year, giving it a fresh and modern look. The standout features included a larger grille, seamlessly integrated with the stack headlights and daytime running lights, giving the Rogue a distinctive and confident presence. The rear fascia saw minor changes, mainly in the form of redesigned inner taillight elements. A satin-finish exterior badging added a touch of elegance, while a new 18-inch wheel design for the Rogue SV and a 19-inch wheel for the Platinum grade enhanced its visual appeal. The top-of-the-line Platinum model featured more black exterior trim and an optional black roof, further elevating its sophistication.

Inside, the Rogue boasted significant upgrades with a new 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, giving the dashboard a premium and contemporary feel. High-quality materials adorned almost every surface in the Rogue SV, enhancing the overall ambiance. The Platinum model stood out with its luxurious touches, including leather seats with quilted stitching in a new Chestnut brown color. Unlike some competitors, the Rogue's leather upholstery felt genuinely upscale, contributing to a well-appointed cabin environment.

In stark contrast, the 2024 Toyota 4Runner’s design was reminiscent of a bygone era, with a rugged yet dated appearance. Last redesigned in 2010, the 4Runner retained its boxy shape, which while suitable for off-road capability, looked archaic compared to more modern midsize SUVs. The flared fenders provided a sturdy, brawny impression, essential for off-roading, and the TRD Pro model’s skid plates and all-terrain tires added to its formidable off-road stance. Features like the beefy tubular roof rack further emphasized its ruggedness.

The interior of the 4Runner reflected its age with old-school styling cues and dated technology. The analog instrument panel and comparably small 8-inch infotainment touchscreen felt outmoded, while the traditional gear selector and transfer case levers added to its retro charm. Despite the hard plastic prevalent throughout, there were cushioned panels for comfort, and the interior layout was designed for functionality, especially in off-road scenarios.

The 2024 Nissan Rogue showcased a unique 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder VC-Turbo engine, capable of varying its compression ratio to optimize either power or fuel economy. This engine produced an impressive 201 horsepower and 225 lb-ft of torque, outperforming many rivals such as the Honda CR-V and Subaru Forester. However, the continuously variable transmission (CVT) lagged in responsiveness, affecting the overall driving experience. The suspension, particularly in the Platinum model, felt firmer than expected, compromising ride quality without any significant improvement in handling. Nevertheless, the Rogue remained quiet, and its engine performance, even with a droning exhaust note, was commendable.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner, powered by a 4.0-liter V6 engine, delivered 270 horsepower and 278 lb-ft of torque. While these figures were comparable to rivals like the Ford Bronco and Jeep Wrangler, the 4Runner was hampered by its outdated five-speed automatic transmission, resulting in sluggish on-road performance. The 4Runner's soft suspension, designed for off-road flexibility, caused noticeable rear-end squat during acceleration and significant body roll when cornering. The engine’s loud and taxing noise detracted from the driving experience on highways, but its off-road prowess remained unquestioned, with features like Crawl Control and Multi-Terrain Select proving invaluable in challenging terrains.

In terms of interior space, the 2024 Nissan Rogue competed well with other compact crossovers, offering ample room across both rows of seats. The main variance was in legroom, where other models like the Subaru Forester and Hyundai Tucson offered slightly more space. Cargo space in the Rogue was reasonably generous, with 36.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 74.1 cubic feet with the seats folded. Nissan's optional Divide-N-Hide system added versatility to the cargo area, allowing for either a flat floor with additional storage or an increased cargo height. Additional features like a molded-in grocery bag holder and available power and motion-activated liftgates added convenience.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner’s interior was spacious yet dated. Front passengers enjoyed ample room, although taller drivers might find the steering wheel’s lack of telescoping adjustment limiting. The second row provided significant legroom and a stadium-like seating position, while headroom was tight for taller passengers. The 4Runner offered a third row on select trims, adding to its versatility. For cargo space, the 4Runner excelled with a maximum of 47.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats and up to 89.7 cubic feet with the seats stowed, albeit with a cumbersome process to fold the seats. Despite the lack of a powered liftgate, the sliding rear glass window and optional sliding deck provided unique and practical features for outdoor adventures.

The 2024 Nissan Rogue offered a range of technological upgrades, with lower trims featuring an 8-inch touchscreen and wired connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims, however, benefited from a new 12.3-inch touchscreen, wireless connectivity, a digital instrument cluster, and Google built-in apps, including Google Maps and Google Assistant. This integration provided a seamless and enhanced user experience, though the connectivity was only free for five years. Additionally, multiple charging ports, including USB-C and wireless charging pads, catered to modern connectivity needs. Nissan also extended the free trial period for its Nissan Connect Services to three years on all but the base model, adding to the Rogue’s tech appeal.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner, by contrast, had a basic infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen that included standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system lacked the off-road-specific apps found in competitors like the Bronco or Wrangler and was challenging to use while driving. The TRD Pro model’s 15-speaker JBL premium audio system provided excellent sound quality, though it was often overshadowed by engine and road noise. Additional terrain controls located in the headliner console required referencing the owner’s manual for full utilization, offering features like Crawl Control and Multi-Terrain Select, crucial for serious off-roading.

The 2024 Nissan Rogue received commendable safety scores, earning top “Good” ratings in several IIHS crash tests and an “Acceptable” rating in the updated side-impact test. The Rogue also received a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA. 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 additional features like adaptive cruise control and the ProPilot Assist system, providing advanced driver assistance for highway driving.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner had mixed safety ratings. NHTSA awarded it four stars overall, with five stars for side impacts but only three stars in rollover evaluations. IIHS scores were similarly mixed, with some worrying results in newer test formats. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and a blind-spot monitor. Higher trims included a surround-view camera system, but some safety alerts, like lane-departure warnings, were overly sensitive and could be adjusted for better tolerance.