2024 Nissan Rogue vs 2023 Land Rover Defender

In Canada, the 2023 Land Rover Defender significantly outsold the Land Rover Discovery, with a ratio of approximately eight to one. Despite being similar in size and price, the Defender's boxy design, reminiscent of the old LR4, appealed more to customers than the Discovery's Ford-like appearance. The Defender's design was characterized by its square-jawed face, rectangular hood and doors, and abruptly chopped tail, all of which contributed to its classic truck aesthetic. Tasteful accents, such as the dome and faux-metal step plates on the hood, skylights along the roof, and the body-colour square separating the side glass, paid homage to the original 1980s Defender. The vehicle was available in three body styles: 90, 110, and 130, offering a range of choices unmatched by other SUVs.

The interior of the Defender was designed with function and durability in mind, featuring rubbers and plastics that resisted moisture and stains. Despite its high price, the interior was basic, with exposed screws and plain-looking air vents, maintaining the Defender's hardcore character. The build quality and fit were excellent, but the Defender's price, especially for the 110 V8 Carpathian Edition, seemed excessive. Nevertheless, the Defender continued to sell well in Canada, indicating that not everyone shared this sentiment.

The 2024 Nissan Rogue received its first major styling update since its 2021 launch. The lineup in Canada included S, SV Moonroof, SV Premium, SL, and Platinum models. The Rogue featured a new, larger grille that blended well with its distinctive stack headlights and daytime running lights. The rear fascia was updated with redesigned inner taillight elements. The Rogue SV grade received a new 18-inch wheel design, while the Platinum model featured a new 19-inch wheel design with a machined-finish look. The Platinum grade also offered more black exterior trim and an optional black roof.

Inside, the Rogue's dashboard was updated to accommodate a new 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, giving it a more premium feel. The Rogue SV models received new materials on nearly every interior surface, enhancing the overall aesthetic. The upscale interior design of the Rogue Platinum test car made it feel worthy of its top trim level status. The Platinum models featured leather seats with quilted stitching and a new Chestnut brown colour option. The Rogue's leather upholstery was of high quality, contributing to a nicely appointed cabin for a vehicle in this segment.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender excelled in off-road conditions, showcasing its impressive grip, wheel articulation, and clearance. Its air suspension allowed it to tackle almost any path, although most owners would not utilize its full off-road capabilities. On the road, the Defender's performance was less impressive, with excessive body roll, slow steering, and noticeable wind noise. The turbocharged inline-six and supercharged V8 engines provided strong performance, with the V8 delivering 518 horsepower and 461 pound-feet of torque. The six-cylinder engine, part of a 48-volt mild hybrid powertrain, offered 395 hp and 406 lb-ft, while the turbocharged four-cylinder engine was less powerful at 296 hp and 295 lb-ft. Fuel economy varied, with the V8 being the least efficient.

The 2024 Nissan Rogue's powertrain was a standout feature, with its 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine delivering 201 horsepower and 225 pound-feet of torque. This engine outperformed many competitors, including the Honda CR-V and Subaru Forester. However, the continuously variable transmission (CVT) was less impressive, being slow to transfer power to the wheels. The Rogue's suspension was firmer than expected, affecting ride quality without improving handling. Despite this, the Rogue was quiet, and its engine performance was commendable, although the exhaust note was less appealing.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender offered exceptional versatility as an everyday SUV, with unmatched seating configurations. The Defender 90 could seat six with a jump seat, while the 110 and 130 models offered optional third rows, accommodating up to eight passengers. The Defender's large glass areas provided excellent visibility, and the 130 model featured a panoramic moonroof. Cargo space varied across models, with the 130 offering up to 2,180 litres with seats folded. The Defender also offered numerous features, including off-road tires, a metal roof rack, and various convenience options.

The 2024 Nissan Rogue provided competitive passenger space, with differences mainly in legroom compared to rivals. Cargo space was slightly less than some competitors, with a maximum of 1,033 litres with rear seats in place and 2,098 litres with them folded. The Rogue featured the optional Divide-N-Hide system for flexible cargo configurations and a molded-in space for grocery bags. A power liftgate was available on SV models, with a motion-activated liftgate on SL and Platinum models. The centre console offered additional storage, although accessing it could be awkward.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender featured two touchscreen infotainment systems running Pivi Pro software. The standard 10-inch screen was integrated into the dashboard, while the optional 11.4-inch screen offered greater legibility. Both screens supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a voice assistant and connected apps. The Defender also included heated front seats, keyless entry, and heated power-folding mirrors. Higher trims offered additional features, such as air suspension, a head-up display, and a rearview mirror with a camera display.

The 2024 Nissan Rogue offered an 8-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on lower trims, while SL and Platinum models featured a larger 12.3-inch touchscreen with wireless connectivity. 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 was a significant improvement, although the touchscreen was occasionally slow to boot up. The Rogue also provided ample charging options, with multiple USB-C ports and a wireless charging pad on higher trims. Nissan extended the free trial period for its Nissan Connect Services to three years, offering features like remote door lock/unlock and vehicle health reports.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender received a five-star rating in Euro NCAP crash testing, praised for its solid structure. It was equipped with six airbags, although this was considered low. The Defender offered a digital instrument panel, head-up display, and a 360-degree camera system. Standard safety features included lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic emergency braking.

The 2024 Nissan Rogue received good safety scores from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. Standard driver assist features included automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and lane departure warning. ProPilot Assist, available on higher trims, offered advanced driver assistance, including automated lane centring and navigation-based speed adjustments.