2023 Nissan Rogue vs 2022 Cadillac XT5

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 presented a unique blend of design elements, sitting somewhere between the futuristic angularity of the Lexus NX and the more traditional styling of the Audi Q5, BMW X3, and Mercedes-Benz GLC. It featured Cadillac’s signature design cues, such as a bold grille, distinctive daytime running lights, and vertical taillights reminiscent of classic Cadillacs. However, this combination resulted in an awkward mix with the XT5’s compact size and tall profile, making it unmistakably a Cadillac, albeit an ungainly one. The Premium Luxury and Sport models offered slightly different exterior styling cues, with the former showcasing bright chrome for a traditional look and the latter featuring darker trim and a mesh grille for a sportier appearance. The interior, while luxurious with the optional Platinum Package, lacked a strong design theme and brand-specific markers, leaving little to remind occupants they were in a Cadillac.

In contrast, the 2023 Nissan Rogue was designed with a more conservative approach, reflecting its status as a popular model. It boasted proper proportions and chiseled styling, with just enough SUV detailing to convey a rugged sense of purpose. The Rogue lineup included S, SV, SL, and Platinum trims, with prices ranging from $30,898 to $43,748, excluding a $1,920 destination charge. The Platinum trim, which we tested, offered a host of upscale features, including diamond-pattern leather seats and a range of interior and exterior enhancements. Despite its higher price, the Rogue Platinum trim provided a long list of upgrades, making it an appealing choice for those seeking a balance of style and functionality.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 offered two engine options: a standard 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, and an optional 3.6-litre V6 engine delivering 310 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The V6 engine, featured in our Premium Luxury test car, provided a reasonably quick and smooth driving experience, with linear power delivery and quick shifts. The optional Platinum Package included a performance suspension with adaptive dampers, offering a comfortable and controlled ride. The steering was well-suited to a luxury vehicle, providing nimbleness without excessive nervousness, and the cabin remained impressively quiet.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue, on the other hand, featured a new turbocharged 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine with a variable compression design, producing 201 horsepower and 225 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and offered Eco, Auto, and Sport driving modes, with additional Off-Road and Snow modes for AWD versions. The VC-Turbo powertrain provided responsive performance in urban and suburban settings, though it lacked passing power on the highway. The Rogue’s suspension design, combined with Intelligent Trace Control and Active Ride Control, ensured a smooth ride and secure handling. However, the steering felt lifeless, and the engine’s unusual note and vibration might not appeal to all drivers. Fuel economy was slightly below expectations, averaging 8.1 L/100 km in combined driving.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 offered favourable interior space compared to its German luxury crossover competitors, with more front headroom than the Audi Q5 and Mercedes-Benz GLC, though less than the BMW X3. It provided more legroom in both rows but trailed the Lincoln Corsair in front legroom. The seats were comfortable but not up to luxury-vehicle standards, with narrow bottom cushions and insufficient rear seat cushioning. The XT5 boasted 850 litres of cargo space with the rear seats in place and 1,784 litres with them folded, surpassing the Q5, X3, and GLC but falling short of the Infiniti QX50. A hands-free power liftgate was available, and a small cubbyhole below the touchscreen offered additional storage.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue served as a practical replacement for a traditional family car, accommodating four people comfortably and a fifth when necessary. Our Platinum test vehicle featured premium amenities, including a triple-zone automatic climate control system, a dual-panel panoramic sunroof, and heated front seats with Zero Gravity designs. However, ventilated front seats were not available. The Rogue’s rear doors opened to nearly 90 degrees, facilitating easy loading and unloading, and the back seat offered ample room for adults, though the seat itself lacked comfort. The Rogue provided up to 1,028 litres of cargo space with the back seat in place and 2,064 litres with it folded, thanks to the Divide-N-Hide feature. Storage space was plentiful, though most compartments were unlined, potentially causing noise and vibration.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 came with a standard 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. An 8-inch digital instrument cluster and a head-up display were available with the optional Technology Package. While usability was improved over previous systems, the XT5’s tech offerings were merely adequate compared to other luxury brands. The touchscreen was easy to navigate, but the array of secondary controls, including a rotary controller and capacitive touchpads, were not ideally placed and lacked physical feedback. The optional Bose Performance Series 14-speaker system delivered excellent sound quality.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue featured an older version of Nissan’s infotainment system, with a standard 8-inch or available 9-inch touchscreen display. Our test vehicle had the larger 9-inch screen, Bluetooth connectivity, satellite radio, wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, NissanConnect services, and a navigation system. It also included a wireless smartphone charging pad and a Bose premium audio system. The voice recognition technology was limited, struggling with requests beyond basic tasks. The test vehicle also had a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a head-up display, both of which performed well.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 came equipped with standard safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, front and rear park assist, automatic high-beam headlamps, lane-keep assist, and lane-departure warning. The Safety Alert Seat, which vibrated when a warning system was triggered, was also standard. Optional packages added features like adaptive cruise control, enhanced automatic emergency braking, rear pedestrian alert, and a surround-vision camera system. The XT5 received top “Good” scores in all IIHS crash tests and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, though it had a “Marginal” headlight rating and an “Acceptable” LATCH rating.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, including 10 airbags, a rear-seat reminder system, and Safety Shield 360. This included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, rear automatic braking, blind-spot monitoring, and more. Higher trims offered ProPilot Assist with Navi-link, combining adaptive cruise control with lane-centring assistance. The Rogue earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though it received “Marginal” and “Acceptable” scores in updated crash tests.