2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E vs 2023 Nissan Rogue

The 2023 Nissan Rogue was a testament to the brand's commitment to maintaining a classic SUV aesthetic. It featured well-proportioned, chiseled styling that conveyed a rugged sense of purpose, appealing to those who valued traditional SUV design. The Rogue's lineup included various trims, with the Platinum trim offering upscale features like diamond-pattern leather seats and a host of luxury touches. Despite its premium feel, the Rogue's design choices were conservative, ensuring it remained attractive to a broad audience.

In contrast, the 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E embraced a bold design approach, merging Mustang styling cues with a five-door crossover SUV form. This electric vehicle's long, narrow, and tall dimensions were adorned with iconic Mustang elements like galloping horse emblems and tri-bar taillights. The Mach-E's design was a strategic move, tying it visually to the legendary pony car, which contributed to its popularity. The GT trim, in particular, stood out with its aggressive look, featuring unique 20-inch wheels and a dark front panel resembling a traditional grille, making it a striking presence on the road.

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 continuously variable transmission (CVT), offered a responsive driving experience in urban settings. However, it lacked passing power on highways and had a unique engine note that some drivers might find unrefined. The Rogue's fuel economy was slightly below expectations, averaging 8.1 L/100 km in combined driving. Despite these drawbacks, the Rogue's ride quality was generally composed, with features like Intelligent Trace Control and Active Ride Control enhancing its handling.

The 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E offered a range of powertrains, with the GT Performance Edition boasting an impressive 480 horsepower and 634 lb-ft of torque. This electric SUV accelerated to 100 km/h in just 3.7 seconds, providing exhilarating performance. The Mach-E's driving modes, including Whisper, Engage, and Unbridled, allowed drivers to tailor the EV's behaviour. While the steering lacked the sharpness expected from a performance vehicle, the Mach-E's overall driving dynamics were impressive. The ride quality was firm, but the Mach-E excelled in controlling body motions, making it an exciting vehicle to drive. Its energy efficiency was also noteworthy, with the test vehicle achieving better-than-expected consumption figures.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue was designed as a practical family vehicle, offering ample space for passengers and cargo. It comfortably accommodated four adults, with the option to squeeze in a fifth passenger. The Platinum trim featured premium amenities like a triple-zone automatic climate control system and a panoramic sunroof. However, the rear seat comfort was lacking, with low-mounted cushions and diamond-shaped quilted pleats that felt uncomfortable. The Rogue's cargo area was versatile, with up to 1,028 litres of space behind the rear seats and 2,064 litres with the seats folded down.

The 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E, with its crossover SUV configuration, provided seating for up to five people and 965 litres of cargo space, including a front trunk. The GT Performance Edition featured performance seats with stylish upholstery and a well-designed centre console for storage. The rear seat offered sufficient legroom for passengers, and the panoramic glass roof added to the airy feel of the cabin. The Mach-E's cargo capacity was impressive, with 841 litres behind the rear seats and 1,691 litres with the seats folded down. The front trunk added an additional 133 litres of storage, making it a practical choice for those needing extra space.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue's infotainment system featured an older version with an 8-inch or 9-inch touchscreen, offering Bluetooth connectivity, satellite radio, and wireless Apple CarPlay. The test vehicle included a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a head-up display. However, the voice recognition technology struggled with certain commands, and the system's overall functionality was limited compared to newer systems.

The 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E boasted a 15.5-inch touchscreen running on Ford's Sync 4A platform, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, FordPass Connect services, and a navigation system. The system was user-friendly, with natural voice recognition and a comprehensive trip computer. The Mach-E also featured a Bang & Olufsen premium sound system and a 10.2-inch digital instrumentation display. The Phone As A Key technology allowed drivers to use their smartphones as keys, adding convenience to the driving experience.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue came equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including 10 airbags, Safety Shield 360, and ProPilot Assist with Navi-link. The Rogue earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. However, it received lower scores in updated crash tests, highlighting areas for improvement.

The 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E featured Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist 2.0, including adaptive cruise control and BlueCruise hands-free highway driving. BlueCruise 1.2 added new features like lane-change and predictive speed assist. The Mach-E received top safety ratings from the IIHS and was a Top Safety Pick for 2022 and 2023. However, NHTSA crash-test ratings for the 2023 model were incomplete, with only side-impact and rollover resistance results available.