2023 Nissan Rogue vs 2023 Volvo XC90

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, combined with SUV detailing, conveyed a sense of purpose. The Rogue's appeal was crucial, as aesthetics often played a significant role in consumer decisions. The lineup included various trims, with the Platinum trim offering upscale features like diamond-pattern leather seats and a host of interior and exterior enhancements. Despite its premium offerings, the Rogue's pricing remained competitive, edging close to luxury brand offerings.

In contrast, the 2023 Volvo XC90 showcased a significant evolution from Volvo's past designs, moving away from the boxy aesthetics of earlier models. The XC90's purposeful yet understated design featured a stout front end and a bold grille, complemented by the distinctive "Thor’s Hammer" headlights. The vehicle's dimensions retained a rectilinear shape, but it was far from the utilitarian designs of the past. The XC90's interior was a blend of elegance and minimalism, with luxurious materials like Nappa leather and wood deco inlays. The design was clean and sophisticated, with a focus on creating a serene driving environment.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue featured a new turbocharged 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine with a variable compression design, replacing the previous 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine. This VC-Turbo engine delivered 201 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 225 lb-ft of torque from 2,800 to 4,000 rpm. The engine was paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that included paddle shifters. The Rogue offered various driving modes, including Eco, Auto, and Sport, with additional Off-Road and Snow modes for AWD versions. Despite its responsive performance in urban settings, the engine's character and highway passing power were less impressive. Fuel economy was slightly below expectations, averaging 8.1 L/100 km in combined driving. The Rogue's suspension and steering provided a balanced ride, though some road conditions revealed limitations in body control and tire grip.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 introduced the B6 engine, a mild-hybrid version of the previous powertrain, offering 295 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. This setup aimed to improve fuel efficiency and smoothness, though the gains were minimal. The mild-hybrid system used a lithium-ion battery to power a 13-volt starter generator, enhancing features like auto stop-start technology. The XC90's driving experience was enjoyable, with quick acceleration and a responsive eight-speed automatic transmission. The vehicle's insulation minimized road and wind noise, and the brakes provided a confident pedal feel. While the XC90 lacked extensive off-road features, its simplicity in driving dynamics appealed to those seeking a straightforward driving experience.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue offered practicality as a family vehicle, with ample space for four passengers and the option to accommodate a fifth. The Platinum trim featured premium amenities like a triple-zone climate control system and a panoramic sunroof. The front seats, designed with Nissan's Zero Gravity concept, provided comfort, though the rear seats were less impressive in terms of support. The Rogue's cargo area was versatile, offering up to 1,028 litres of space with the moonroof and expanding to 2,064 litres with the rear seats folded. However, the design of the key fob and some interior storage solutions lacked thoughtfulness.

The 2023 Volvo XC90's interior was marked by Scandinavian minimalism, which, while elegant, led to some storage challenges. The front seats were comfortable, but the lack of dedicated space for small items like cell phones was noticeable. The second row offered reasonable space, but accessing the third row was difficult, and the cargo capacity was limited compared to competitors. With the third row in use, the XC90 provided 356 litres of cargo space, expanding to 1,856 litres with all rear seats folded. Despite its smaller size, the XC90 drove like a more compact vehicle, offering a pleasant driving experience.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue's infotainment system featured an 8-inch or optional 9-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, satellite radio, and smartphone integration. The test vehicle included a 9-inch display, wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, and a Bose audio system. However, the voice recognition system struggled with accuracy, and some features were not intuitive. The Rogue also offered a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a head-up display, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2023 Volvo XC90's tech offerings were centred around a 9-inch vertical touchscreen running Google OS, integrating features like Google Maps, Spotify, and Google Assistant. The system supported Apple CarPlay, though iPhones were less compatible. The natural-language recognition was a highlight, allowing for seamless interaction. However, the reliance on the touchscreen for many functions could be frustrating, and the lack of physical controls was a drawback. Keyless entry was standard, with a head-up display available as an option.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue was equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including 10 airbags, Safety Shield 360, and ProPilot Assist with Navi-link. The system combined adaptive cruise control with lane-centring assistance, providing a smooth driving experience. 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 specific crash tests.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 continued Volvo's legacy of safety, earning a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS. Standard safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control. The lane-keeping assist and Pilot Assist technology provided additional support, maintaining distance and speed in various driving conditions.