2024 Nissan Rogue vs 2023 Ford Bronco

The 2023 Ford Bronco was a standout with its retro-cool styling and modern engineering, offered in nine distinct trim levels. Its blocky, upright shape, wide horizontal grille, and big round headlights were unmistakable, even from afar. The Base trim had a primitive, bare-bones look with steel wheels, while the Raptor trim boasted a wide stance, elevated height, and massive tires. The Heritage Edition trim evoked nostalgia with a throwback white grille, roof, and wheels, and unique plaid seat upholstery. The interior continued the rugged theme with a broad dash, sealed switches, and waterproof marine-grade vinyl upholstery, making it easy to clean after off-road adventures. The Bronco's interior materials prioritized durability over luxury, with a reassuring heft to them, and while some creaking was noted over bumps, it was quieter than a Jeep Wrangler.

The 2024 Nissan Rogue received its first major styling update since its 2021 launch, with a new, larger grille and distinctive stack headlights. The lineup included S, SV Moonroof, SV Premium, SL, and Platinum models. The Rogue's interior was upgraded with a new 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, giving it a more premium feel. The Rogue Platinum featured leather seats with quilted stitching and a new Chestnut brown colour. The Rogue's upscale interior design made it feel worthy of its top trim level, with materials that were more refined than some competitors. However, the Rogue's suspension felt firmer than the segment norm, affecting ride quality without improving handling. Despite this, the Rogue was quiet, and its engine performance was impressive, though the exhaust note was less so.

The 2023 Ford Bronco offered three engine choices, starting with a 2.3-litre four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque, available with a seven-speed manual or a 10-speed automatic transmission. The optional 2.7-litre V6 engine increased power to 330 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque, while the top-of-the-line Raptor featured a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 with 418 hp and 440 lb-ft of torque. All Broncos came with a 4WD drivetrain and a two-speed transfer case. The base four-cylinder engine was adequate for most drivers, while the Raptor's EcoBoost engine offered exhilarating power. The Bronco's ride quality was bouncier than a typical SUV but more stable than a Jeep Wrangler. Its high-riding dimensions required careful handling on curving roads, but it felt more confident than expected.

The 2024 Nissan Rogue's powertrain was a 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine, producing 201 horsepower and 225 pound-feet of torque. This engine outperformed competitors' non-hybrid powertrains, but the continuously variable transmission (CVT) was slow to transfer power to the wheels. The Rogue's suspension felt firmer than the segment norm, affecting ride quality without improving handling. The Rogue was quiet, but the engine's droning exhaust note was less impressive. The Rogue came standard with AWD in Canada, but it wasn't billed as a driver's car like the Mazda CX-5.

The 2023 Ford Bronco's boxy shape provided ample interior space, with the four-door model offering easier access to the rear seats. The two-door Bronco had up to 634 litres of cargo space, while the four-door offered up to 1,008 litres. The rear seats didn't fold flat, creating a step-up that hindered sliding longer cargo. The Bronco's fenders and doors were easily removable, appealing to hardcore off-roaders. The interior featured netted door pockets, a rubberized tray, and accessory rails for added functionality.

The 2024 Nissan Rogue offered nearly identical passenger space to its rivals, with differences in legroom. The Rogue's maximum cargo space was 1,033 litres with the rear seats in place and 2,098 litres with the seats folded. The optional Divide-N-Hide system allowed for a flat cargo floor with hidden storage or a lower floor for increased cargo height. The Rogue featured a power liftgate and a motion-activated liftgate on higher trims. The centre console had a pass-through space for added flexibility, though accessing the storage tray was awkward.

The 2023 Ford Bronco featured G.O.A.T. drive modes for off-road novices, optimizing engine and suspension settings for various terrains. The Bronco's numerous camera views and Trail Turn Assist feature enhanced off-road capabilities. The infotainment system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with an available 12-inch display for ease of use.

The 2024 Nissan Rogue's lower-level models came with an 8-inch touchscreen, while SL and Platinum models featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Rogue was the first Nissan to offer Google built-in software, integrating Google Maps, Google Assistant, and the Google Play app store. The dual 12.3-inch screen setup improved the infotainment system, though the touchscreen was occasionally slow to boot up. The Rogue included multiple USB ports and a wireless charging pad on higher trims.

The 2023 Ford Bronco received partial crash test results from the NHTSA, with four stars for frontal crash protection and three stars for rollover protection. The IIHS awarded the four-door Bronco a "Good" rating in most crashworthiness tests. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and hill-start assist. The Mid package added enhanced driver assistance features, while the High and Luxe packages offered additional safety technologies.

The 2024 Nissan Rogue received top "Good" ratings from the IIHS in several crash tests and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. Standard driver assist features included automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and lane departure warning. ProPilot Assist, Nissan's advanced driver assistance system, was available on higher trims, offering automated lane centring for highway driving.