2024 Nissan Rogue vs 2023 Mazda CX-5

The 2023 Mazda CX-5, despite its age, continued to be a strong contender in the compact crossover SUV market. It was praised for its stylish design and high-quality materials, giving it the appearance and feel of a small luxury SUV. The available turbocharged engine provided impressive power, and the model boasted a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS. However, the CX-5 had its drawbacks, such as a small back seat, limited cargo space, and a frustrating infotainment system. Mazda's decision to transition the CX-5 to the CX-50 was a strategic move, allowing consumers to adjust to the change while maintaining the model's core qualities of quality, refinement, and sophistication.

The 2024 Nissan Rogue received its first major styling update since its 2021 launch, featuring a new, larger grille and redesigned taillight elements. The Rogue's interior was enhanced with a new 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, giving it a more premium feel. The Rogue Platinum model offered leather seats with quilted stitching, adding to its upscale appeal. While the Rogue's engine performance was commendable, the CVT transmission and firm suspension detracted from the overall driving experience. Despite these issues, the Rogue's quiet cabin and upscale interior design made it a worthy competitor in the compact crossover segment.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5 offered two engine options: a standard 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with 187 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque, and a 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivering up to 256 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque on premium fuel. The turbo engine's performance was enhanced by Mazda's updates to the CX-5's structural rigidity, suspension, and transmission, resulting in a more responsive and enjoyable driving experience. The CX-5's AWD system and six-speed automatic transmission contributed to its sporty handling, making it a delight to drive on various road conditions.

The 2024 Nissan Rogue featured a 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine with 201 hp and 225 lb-ft of torque. This VC-Turbo engine was notable for its ability to vary its compression ratio, optimizing power and fuel economy. However, the CVT transmission was slow to transfer power to the wheels, affecting the overall driving experience. The Rogue's suspension was firmer than expected, impacting ride quality without improving handling. Despite these drawbacks, the Rogue's engine performance was impressive, offering more power than many of its competitors.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5's interior was enhanced with improved front seats for better comfort and support. The Signature trim offered luxurious Nappa leather upholstery and a range of features, including heated and ventilated seats, dual-zone climate control, and power-adjustable front seats. However, the CX-5's interior space was limited, with cramped rear seats and a smaller cargo area compared to its rivals. The cargo space measured 871 litres with the rear seats up and 1,680 litres with them folded down.

The 2024 Nissan Rogue provided competitive passenger space, with slight variations in legroom compared to its rivals. The Rogue's cargo space was generous, offering up to 2,098 litres with the rear seats folded. The optional Divide-N-Hide system allowed for flexible cargo configurations, and the Rogue featured a power liftgate and motion-activated liftgate on higher trims. The centre console offered additional storage options, although accessing the lower storage tray was somewhat awkward.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5's Mazda Connect infotainment system featured a 10.25-inch display with sophisticated graphics but was criticized for its awkward physical controls and lack of a voice recognition system. The system required memorization and focus, making it distracting to use while driving. Despite these issues, the CX-5 offered Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a Bose premium audio system on upper trims. The test vehicle also included a front-facing camera and a surround-view camera system for easier parking.

The 2024 Nissan Rogue's infotainment system was upgraded with a 12.3-inch touchscreen on SL and Platinum models, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a digital instrument cluster, and Google built-in apps. The Rogue was the first Nissan to feature Google built-in software, providing seamless integration with Google Maps and Google Assistant. The system included multiple USB ports and a wireless charging pad on higher trims. Nissan Connect Services offered a three-year free trial, enabling remote features through a smartphone app.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5 excelled in safety, with a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick ranking from the IIHS. The i-Activsense suite included standard driver assistance features, with additional features like a surround-view camera system and Traffic Jam Assist on higher trims. The CX-5's safety systems operated smoothly and accurately, enhancing the overall driving experience. However, the lack of a warning message for nighttime driving without headlights was a notable oversight.

The 2024 Nissan Rogue received top safety scores from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross traffic alert. ProPilot Assist, available on higher trims, offered advanced driver assistance with lane centring and adaptive cruise control. While not the most advanced system, ProPilot Assist provided more capability than many competitors' offerings.