2023 Nissan Rogue vs 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 marked a significant departure from its predecessor, the original Ioniq, by establishing itself as a standalone brand focused solely on electric vehicles. This new model showcased a futuristic design with its Parametric Pixel theme, reminiscent of retro gaming aesthetics. The exterior was a blend of minimalistic character lines and intricate design elements, such as pixelated lighting features that adorned the headlights, taillights, and other lighting components. The Ioniq 5's aerodynamic alloy wheels and unique fender flares added to its distinctive appearance. Inside, the cabin offered a stark contrast with its "Living Space" theme, providing a serene and comfortable environment. The interior featured sustainable materials, including recycled fibres and bio-materials, and offered a "Relaxation" mode for the driver's seat, enhancing the overall comfort and eco-friendliness of the vehicle.

In contrast, the 2023 Nissan Rogue maintained a more traditional approach to design, focusing on practicality and appeal. The Rogue's exterior boasted proper proportions and rugged SUV detailing, making it an attractive choice for those seeking a reliable and stylish vehicle. The Platinum trim level of the Rogue offered upscale features, including diamond-pattern leather seats and a range of premium amenities. The interior was designed with comfort in mind, featuring Nissan's Zero Gravity seat designs for the front seats, although the rear seats were less comfortable. The Rogue's design emphasized functionality, with thoughtful touches like rear doors that opened to a nearly 90-degree angle for easy access. However, some design elements, such as the low-contrast key fob, left room for improvement in terms of user-friendliness.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 offered a range of powertrain options, catering to different driving preferences. In Canada, it was available in two trims, Essential and Preferred, with rear-wheel drive (RWD) as standard and all-wheel drive (AWD) as an option on the Preferred trim. The base model featured a 125-kW rear-mounted electric motor, delivering 168 horsepower and a range of 354 kilometres. The Preferred long-range variant boasted a larger 168-kW motor, producing 225 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, with an impressive range of 488 kilometres. The AWD version, equipped with a dual-motor system, offered 320 horsepower and 446 lb-ft of torque, though the range dropped to 414 kilometres. The Ioniq 5's performance was characterized by its smooth handling and four drive modes, including a Sport mode for added excitement. The vehicle's regenerative braking system, adjustable via paddle shifters, added an element of gamification to the driving experience.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue, on the other hand, featured a new turbocharged 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine with variable compression technology, replacing the previous 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine. This VC-Turbo engine produced 201 horsepower and 225 lb-ft of torque, providing responsive performance in urban and suburban settings. The Rogue's continuously variable transmission (CVT) offered paddle shifters and multiple driving modes, including Eco, Auto, and Sport. AWD versions also had Off-Road and Snow modes. While the Rogue's powertrain delivered satisfactory performance for everyday driving, it lacked passing power on the highway. The vehicle's ride quality was enhanced by features like Intelligent Trace Control and Active Ride Control, though the steering felt lifeless, and the suspension struggled on undulating roads. Despite these drawbacks, the Rogue maintained a good balance of ride compliance and body control.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 was built on the Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), which maximized interior space and utility. With a wheelbase of 3,000 millimetres, it offered more room than the seven-passenger Hyundai Palisade. The Ioniq 5's total interior volume of 3,786 litres exceeded that of competitors like the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Volkswagen ID.4. The interior design focused on comfort and usability, with a moveable centre console and a flat floor, allowing for easy entry and exit. The leatherette seats provided excellent comfort and support, catering to both slim and larger drivers.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue, designed as a family-friendly compact SUV, offered practicality and comfort. The Platinum trim featured premium amenities, including a triple-zone automatic climate control system and a dual-panel panoramic sunroof. The front seats, wrapped in semi-aniline leather, were comfortable, though the rear seats lacked leg support and comfort. The Rogue's interior layout was straightforward, with good outward visibility and ample storage space. However, the design of the key fob and some unlined storage areas left room for improvement. The Rogue's cargo area was versatile, with up to 1,028 litres of space behind the rear seats and the option to expand to 2,064 litres with the seats folded down.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 was equipped with cutting-edge technology, including a high-voltage, energy-dense system with vehicle-to-load capabilities. It supported ultra-fast charging, reaching 80 percent battery capacity in just 18 minutes, and could charge other devices or vehicles. The Ioniq 5 featured a redesigned Blue Link connected car app, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and over-the-air updates. The 12.3-inch screens for the instrument cluster and infotainment system were elegantly designed and easy to read, even with polarized sunglasses.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue, while equipped with a range of infotainment features, used an older version of Nissan's system. The test vehicle had a 9-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth connectivity, wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, and a Bose premium audio system. However, the voice recognition technology was limited in its capabilities. The Rogue also featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a head-up display, though the latter was not tested with polarized sunglasses.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 came with Hyundai SmartSense, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) that included lane keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and forward collision avoidance. The vehicle also featured Hyundai Highway Drive Assist I, a Level 2 semi-autonomous driving system with machine-learning adaptive cruise control. While safety ratings from NHTSA and IIHS were not available, Hyundai's track record suggested high safety standards.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue offered a comprehensive array of safety features, including 10 airbags, Safety Shield 360, and ProPilot Assist with Navi-link. The latter combined adaptive cruise control with lane-centring assistance, providing a smooth driving experience. The Rogue earned a Top Safety Pick+ from IIHS and a five-star overall rating from NHTSA, though it received lower scores in specific crash tests.