2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid vs 2022 Nissan Rogue

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid borrowed styling cues from Toyota's Tacoma pickup, featuring a trapezoidal grille and upright fascia that gave it a rugged appearance. However, its side profile introduced a swooping character line over the rear wheel arch, reminiscent of the Toyota Supra and Sienna, which added unnecessary visual weight. The rear design echoed the front grille, but the overall body felt disjointed compared to more cohesive designs like the Kia Telluride or Honda Pilot. Inside, the Highlander Hybrid's asymmetrical dash was interrupted by a metallic styling element, creating a storage tray and breaking monotony. The infotainment touchscreen was positioned high on the dash for better visibility. The Bronze Edition featured unique 18-inch bronze alloy wheels and light grey fabric upholstery, which, while visually interesting, attracted dirt and stains easily. The Softex synthetic leather substitute was less convincing compared to alternatives, and genuine leather was only available in higher trims. The rear seating area had more hard plastics, typical for family SUVs, but the third row was notably uncomfortable.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue, redesigned in 2021, continued with its mature styling in 2022, sharing design elements with the Nissan Pathfinder. It featured a V-motion grille, multi-level LED headlights, and a floating roof illusion. The Rogue's interior followed a layered dash design trend, with contrasting colours and surfaces in some trims. The centre console was notable for its electronic gear selector lever, freeing up space for storage. The 9-inch infotainment display was positioned for optimal driver visibility, and the instrument panel varied from a 7-inch display in lower trims to a 12.3-inch digital screen in upper trims. The Rogue's Zero Gravity front seats were comfortable, and the second row offered ample space for passengers. Fit and finish were exemplary, especially in the top Platinum model.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid was powered by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine and hybrid system, producing 243 horsepower. It featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and standard all-wheel drive, with an electric motor powering the rear axle when needed. Toyota estimated a 0-100 km/h time of just over eight seconds. The hybrid powertrain provided a quick but tepid response from a standstill, with the gasoline engine supplying more power as speed increased. The CVT's lack of gear shifts resulted in an uninspired drone under heavy acceleration. Braking was smooth, with regenerative braking seamlessly transitioning to physical brakes. The ride quality was soft, with the suspension effectively smoothing over road imperfections. The cabin remained quiet on highways, except when the engine was pushed hard.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue benefited from a new 1.5-litre VC-Turbo engine, producing 201 horsepower and 225 lb-ft of torque, an improvement over the previous 2.5-litre engine. The VC-Turbo concept allowed for variable compression, optimizing power and efficiency based on driving demands. The Rogue's fuel consumption was impressive, with estimates of 7.8 L/100 km city and 6.5 highway. The new CVT offered wider gear ratios, improving acceleration and responsiveness. The Rogue's chassis and suspension handled the engine's power well, delivering a smooth ride with minimal body roll. The electric power-assisted steering provided good feel, and the turning diameter was tight.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid offered well-cushioned front seats with ample adjustments, though the driver's door armrest was awkwardly positioned. Storage options were plentiful, with trays, shelves, and large door pockets. The second-row seats were spacious, with sliding and reclining captain's chairs or an optional bench for increased passenger capacity. The third row was less accommodating, suitable for children or short trips. Cargo space behind the third row was 453 litres, expanding to 1,370 litres with the seats folded, and 2,387 litres with the second row stowed. Higher trims included a hands-free power liftgate.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue featured numerous storage options, including bottle holders, cupholders, a glove compartment, and a centre console bin. Rear-seat passengers had storage in doors and seatbacks, with USB ports for device charging. The second-row seat was a 60/40 split reclining bench. The Rogue's cargo area offered 1,033 litres of space, expanding to 2,098 litres with the second row folded.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid came with an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, with a 12.3-inch option available on top trims. The system was responsive, with logical menus and physical shortcut buttons. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with wireless charging on higher trims. Navigation and an 11-speaker JBL audio system were standard on Limited and Platinum trims.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue's technology upgrade included a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, a 9-inch infotainment touchscreen, and a 10.8-inch head-up display on upper trims. Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto were standard, with wireless Apple CarPlay on higher trims. ProPilot Assist, available with Navi-Link, integrated navigation for predictive speed control. Nissan's Intelligent Key allowed for convenient keyless entry.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist required some fine-tuning for smoother operation.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue featured the Safety Shield 360 suite, with automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, and rear automatic braking. ProPilot Assist offered advanced driver-assist features, with enhanced capabilities in models with Navi-Link. The Rogue received a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS.