2023 Nissan Rogue vs 2023 Ford Escape

The 2023 Nissan Rogue was a testament to the brand's commitment to maintaining a balance between ruggedness and style. Its design featured proper proportions and chiseled styling, which gave it a rugged yet appealing look. This was crucial, as aesthetics play a significant role in consumer decisions. The Rogue's lineup included various trims, from the base S FWD to the luxurious Platinum, with prices ranging from $30,898 to $43,748, excluding destination charges. The Platinum trim, which we tested, boasted upscale features like diamond-pattern leather seats and a host of other premium touches, making it a strong contender in the compact SUV segment.

In contrast, the 2023 Ford Escape embraced a more European design language, moving away from the blocky exterior of its predecessors. The refreshed model featured a traditional front end with a stylish LED light bar and the Ford blue oval logo. The Escape was one of the smallest vehicles in Ford's lineup, yet it offered a range of trims, including the ST-Line Elite, which we tested. This top-trim model sported 19-inch wheels and a sleek design, giving it an upscale appearance akin to a Mazda CX-5. Inside, the Escape's diamond-stitched leather upholstery looked good but felt hard, though the seats were comfortable for long drives.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue featured a new turbocharged 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine with a variable compression design, producing 201 horsepower and 225 lb-ft of torque. This engine, paired with a CVT, offered a responsive driving experience in urban settings, though it lacked passing power on highways. The Rogue's fuel economy was slightly below expectations, averaging 8.1 L/100 km in combined driving. The SUV's suspension design and intelligent control systems provided a balanced ride, though the steering felt lifeless.

The 2023 Ford Escape offered multiple powertrain options, including a 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine with 180 horsepower and 199 lb-ft of torque, and a 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder engine with 250 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. The latter, available on higher trims, provided better acceleration and passing power. The Escape's suspension was soft and compliant, making it comfortable on rough roads, while the brakes offered predictable stopping power. The steering was well-weighted, avoiding the twitchiness seen in some competitors.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue was designed as a family car replacement, offering ample space for four adults and a fifth passenger when needed. The Platinum trim featured premium leather upholstery, heated front seats, and a panoramic sunroof. The Rogue's rear doors opened wide, facilitating easy access, though the rear seats were less comfortable than the front. Cargo space was generous, with up to 1,028 litres behind the rear seats and 2,064 litres with them folded.

The 2023 Ford Escape provided comfortable seating and excellent ergonomics, with well-positioned armrests and a convenient head-up display. However, it fell short in cargo space compared to some competitors, offering 1,061 litres behind the second row and 1,851 litres with the seats folded. Passenger space was adequate, with good headroom and supportive front-seat backs, though rear-seat legroom was slightly less than some rivals.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue's infotainment system featured a 9-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, satellite radio, and wireless Apple CarPlay. However, the voice recognition system struggled with accuracy. The Rogue also included a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a head-up display, both of which performed well.

The 2023 Ford Escape impressed with its Sync 4 system, featuring a 13.2-inch touchscreen on higher trims. The system was intuitive, with easy navigation between applications and a static "Home" button for quick access. While Sync 4 was occasionally slow to respond, its overall feature set and layout were commendable. A Bang & Olufsen sound system was available on higher trims.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue came equipped with Safety Shield 360, offering a comprehensive suite of driver assistance features. ProPilot Assist with Navi-link was available on higher trims, providing adaptive cruise control and 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.

The 2023 Ford Escape also offered a robust suite of safety features with Co-Pilot360, including blind-spot monitoring and lane-keeping assist. Co-Pilot360 2.0 added adaptive cruise control and lane-centring technology. The Escape received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA but did not earn a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS due to a Marginal score in the side-impact test.