2024 Honda Passport vs 2023 Nissan Rogue

The 2023 Nissan Rogue was a testament to the brand's commitment to maintaining a balance between ruggedness and elegance. Its design featured proper proportions and chiseled styling, which, combined with SUV detailing, conveyed a sense of purpose and appeal. The Rogue's 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 design remained approachable and attractive, ensuring it appealed to a broad audience.

In contrast, the 2024 Honda Passport retained much of its previous-generation design, with only minor tweaks like a more upright grille and squared-off corners. The Passport's design was simple yet effective, with three trim levels offering consistent features such as a power moonroof and AWD. The TrailSport trim, aimed at off-road enthusiasts, included all-terrain tires and rugged styling cues. However, the Passport's rugged appearance was more aesthetic than functional, with features like plastic skid plates and no lift kit. Inside, the Passport maintained a straightforward design with physical controls and an 8-inch touchscreen, complemented by black leather upholstery with orange accents.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue featured a turbocharged 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine with 201 horsepower and 225 lb-ft of torque. This VC-Turbo engine, paired with a CVT, offered a responsive driving experience in urban settings, though it lacked highway passing power. The Rogue's fuel economy was slightly below expectations, averaging 8.1 L/100 km in combined driving. The SUV's ride quality was enhanced by Intelligent Trace Control and Active Ride Control, though it exhibited more body motion on undulating roads. Despite some steering lifelessness, the Rogue provided a secure handling character.

The 2024 Honda Passport, equipped with a naturally aspirated 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivered 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. Managed by a nine-speed automatic transmission, the Passport offered smooth acceleration, though peak torque required higher RPMs. Its fuel economy was rated at 11.3 L/100 km combined. The TrailSport trim featured wider tracks and off-road-tuned suspension, enhancing its rugged appeal. The Passport's steering was well-balanced, and its towing capacity of 2,268 kg surpassed several competitors, though it fell short of the Jeep Grand Cherokee.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue offered a practical alternative to midsize cars, with a spacious interior accommodating four adults comfortably. The Platinum trim featured premium leather seats, a panoramic sunroof, and a triple-zone climate control system. However, the rear seat comfort was lacking, with low-mounted cushions and quilted pleats. The Rogue's cargo space was versatile, with up to 2,064 litres available and a hands-free power liftgate for convenience. Despite its practicality, the Rogue's key fob design was frustratingly difficult to use in low light.

The 2024 Honda Passport excelled in cargo capacity, offering 1,430 litres behind the rear seats and expanding to 2,854 litres with the seats folded. The Passport comfortably seated five adults, with ample cupholders and a redesigned centre console for increased storage. While rear-seat legroom was slightly tighter than some competitors, the Passport's overall interior space was generous. The vehicle's design changes for 2024 included a deeper centre console bin, enhancing storage options without compromising front-seat comfort.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue's infotainment system featured a 9-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, satellite radio, and wireless Apple CarPlay. The system included a navigation app and a Bose audio system, though voice recognition was limited. The Rogue also offered a 12.3-inch digital display and a head-up display, though the latter was untested with polarized sunglasses.

The 2024 Honda Passport's tech offerings included an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. While the screen's resolution and response were impressive, its size felt inadequate for the spacious cabin. The Passport's navigation system, available on the Black Edition, displayed turn-by-turn directions on the driver's display, which could be intrusive in city driving. The TrailSport's seven-speaker audio system was underwhelming compared to competitors' offerings.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue boasted a comprehensive suite of safety features, including 10 airbags and Safety Shield 360. Higher trims offered ProPilot Assist with 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 specific crash tests.

The 2024 Honda Passport included standard safety features like forward collision warning and adaptive cruise control. Despite its comprehensive safety suite, the Passport received lower ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, with "Acceptable" and "Marginal" scores in certain crash tests. The Passport's safety features provided peace of mind, though its crash test performance was less impressive.