2022 Subaru Forester vs 2023 Nissan Rogue

The 2022 Subaru Forester offered a range of trim levels, from the base model to the Premier, with prices starting at $29,495 and reaching up to $40,595, excluding a $1,800 destination charge. All-wheel drive was standard across the lineup, and Subaru provided a variety of dealer-installed accessories. The Forester Wilderness, a new addition for 2022, featured a rugged design with white paint, a dark grey interior, and water-repellant StarTex simulated leather. Its exterior, with a suspension lift and protective cladding, gave it a distinctive, albeit polarizing, appearance. Inside, the Forester focused on functionality, with a mix of hard plastic and soft surfaces, and an 8-inch Starlink infotainment system that was intuitive to use, despite the presence of three display screens.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue, with its chiseled styling and SUV detailing, was designed to appeal to a broad audience. It came in S, SV, SL, and Platinum trims, with prices ranging from $30,898 to $43,748, plus a $1,920 destination charge. The Platinum trim, which we tested, included features like all-wheel drive, two-tone paint, and diamond-pattern leather seats. The Rogue's interior was upscale, with soft-touch materials and a focus on comfort, although it lacked ventilated front seats. The Rogue's design was practical, with good visibility and a straightforward control layout, though the key fob design was criticized for its lack of contrast.

The 2022 Subaru Forester was powered by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque. It featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and all-wheel drive, with the Wilderness model offering a 25% increase in initial torque supply and a towing capacity of 1,360 kilograms. The Forester's fuel consumption was rated at 9.0 L/100 km, and it averaged 9.1 L/100 km during testing. The SUV excelled in various driving environments, thanks to its re-tuned suspension and dual-function X-Mode system, which improved ride and handling. However, the lack of a turbocharger was noted, as the engine could feel sluggish at higher altitudes.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue featured a new 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine with variable compression, delivering 201 horsepower and 225 lb-ft of torque. The CVT included paddle shifters, and the Rogue offered multiple driving modes, including Eco, Auto, and Sport. The Rogue's fuel economy was rated at 7.7 L/100 km, but it averaged 8.1 L/100 km during testing. The SUV's ride quality was enhanced by Intelligent Trace Control and Active Ride Control, though the steering felt lifeless. The Rogue demonstrated a good balance of ride compliance and body control, but the engine's character and lack of highway passing power were noted as drawbacks.

The 2022 Subaru Forester emphasized functionality, with easy entry and exit, water-resistant StarTex upholstery, and all-weather floor mats. The upgraded roof rails could support a three-person roof tent, and the interior offered high comfort levels and excellent visibility. Cargo space measured 818 litres without the sunroof and 762 litres with it, expanding to 2,101 litres with the rear seats folded. The Forester's storage solutions were practical, though some opportunities for additional storage were missed.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue served as a family car replacement, with ample space for four people and the ability to carry a fifth. The Platinum trim included features like a triple-zone climate control system and a panoramic sunroof. The front seats were comfortable, but the rear seats lacked support. The Rogue offered up to 1,028 litres of cargo space with the moonroof, and the Divide-N-Hide feature allowed for versatile cargo configurations. However, the storage areas were unlined, potentially causing noise and vibration.

The 2022 Subaru Forester came with a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Starlink connected services. Higher trims featured an 8-inch screen, navigation, and a Harman Kardon audio system. The Wilderness trim included a 180-degree forward-view camera, but the voice recognition system was inconsistent.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue used an older infotainment system with an 8-inch or 9-inch touchscreen. The test vehicle had the larger screen, Bluetooth, satellite radio, wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, and a Bose audio system. The voice recognition technology struggled with accuracy, and the Rogue also featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a head-up display.

The 2022 Subaru Forester introduced the EyeSight 4.0 safety system, offering improved accuracy and features like automatic emergency steering. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping assist. The Forester earned a 5-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA and was expected to retain its IIHS "Top Safety Pick+" rating.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue came with Safety Shield 360, offering features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. Higher trims included ProPilot Assist with Navi-link, which combined 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 lower scores in some specific tests.