2023 Nissan Rogue vs 2022 Honda Passport

The 2022 Honda Passport shared a striking resemblance with the Honda Ridgeline pickup truck, especially from the front, due to their shared vehicle platform. This design choice gave the Passport a more rugged and assertive appearance, which was further emphasized by the new nose styling. The Passport was available in three trim levels: Sport, TrailSport, and Touring, each featuring new wheel designs. The TrailSport trim, in particular, was introduced to appeal to those interested in off-road adventures, although it was more about aesthetics than actual off-road capability. The Passport's interior was spacious, with quality materials and thoughtful assembly, and the TrailSport trim added unique design elements like orange contrast stitching and amber ambient lighting.

In contrast, the 2023 Nissan Rogue was designed with a focus on appealing proportions and rugged SUV detailing, making it an attractive choice for consumers. The Rogue was available in S, SV, SL, and Platinum trims, with prices ranging from $30,898 to $43,748. The Platinum trim, which we tested, offered a luxurious experience with features like diamond-pattern leather seats and a host of upscale upgrades. The Rogue's design was practical, with a focus on comfort and functionality, making it a suitable replacement for a traditional family car. The interior was spacious, with thoughtful features like a triple-zone climate control system and a panoramic sunroof, although some design choices, like the key fob, were less user-friendly.

The 2022 Honda Passport retained its 3.5-litre V6 engine, producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive in Canada. The V6 engine was smooth and powerful, offering a satisfying driving experience with a combined fuel economy rating of 11.3 L/100 km. The Passport's i-VTM4 AWD system provided mechanical torque vectoring, enhancing its performance on twisty roads. However, off-road capabilities were limited, and the SUV's brakes showed some weaknesses during mountain descents. Despite these issues, the Passport excelled in everyday driving, offering a firm ride and athletic handling.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue featured a new 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine with variable compression technology, delivering 201 horsepower and 225 lb-ft of torque. This engine was paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and offered front-wheel drive, with optional AWD. The Rogue's powertrain was responsive in urban settings, but it lacked passing power on highways. The CVT's simulated gear changes were sometimes too dramatic, and the engine's three-cylinder configuration resulted in some cabin noise and vibration. The Rogue's fuel economy was rated at 7.7 L/100 km, but our test vehicle averaged 8.1 L/100 km. The Rogue's suspension provided a good balance of ride compliance and body control, although the steering felt lifeless.

The 2022 Honda Passport offered easy access with large doors and a low step-in height. The interior featured comfortable seats with leather upholstery and heated front seats, while the TrailSport trim added heated rear seats. The Passport's triple-zone climate control system ensured comfort for all passengers, and the spacious rear seating area provided ample room. The SUV boasted generous storage options, including a large centre console and door panel shelving. Cargo space was impressive, with 1,430 litres behind the rear seat and up to 2,854 litres with the seats folded down.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue was designed as a practical family vehicle, offering easy entry and exit, good visibility, and a spacious interior. The Platinum trim featured premium leather upholstery, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. However, the rear seat comfort was lacking, with low-mounted cushions and uncomfortable quilted pleats. The Rogue's storage space was plentiful, but unlined compartments could cause noise. The cargo area offered up to 1,028 litres of space with the moonroof installed, and the Divide-N-Hide feature allowed for versatile cargo configurations.

The 2022 Honda Passport's infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The TrailSport trim added satellite radio, while the Touring trim featured a navigation system and a premium audio system. The system was functional but outdated, and the navigation system was clunky. Wireless smartphone charging was standard on all but the base trim, providing some modern convenience.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue's infotainment system featured an 8-inch or optional 9-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, satellite radio, and wireless Apple CarPlay. The test vehicle included a 9-inch screen, a Bose audio system, and a navigation system. However, the voice recognition technology was limited, and the system struggled with certain commands. The Rogue also offered a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a head-up display, both of which performed well.

The 2022 Honda Passport came equipped with the Honda Sensing suite, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. However, some features, like lane-departure warning and lane-centring assist, were less refined and could be intrusive. The Passport received five-star ratings from the NHTSA, except for front passenger protection in a frontal collision, which earned four stars. The IIHS gave it top ratings, with an Acceptable rating for front-passenger protection in a small overlap collision.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, including 10 airbags, Safety Shield 360, and ProPilot Assist with Navi-link. The Rogue's safety systems were effective, with ProPilot Assist providing smooth operation on highways. The Rogue earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS, although it received Marginal and Acceptable scores in updated tests. The NHTSA awarded the Rogue a five-star overall rating, with four stars for frontal-impact protection.