2024 Mazda CX-90 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. This was crucial, as aesthetics played a significant role in consumer decisions. The Rogue's lineup included various trims, with the Platinum trim offering upscale features like diamond-pattern leather seats and soft-touch materials, enhancing the overall luxurious feel of the vehicle.

In contrast, the 2024 Mazda CX-90 elevated Mazda's design and material quality to near-luxury levels, surpassing its Japanese competitors. The CX-90's exterior was an enlarged version of Mazda's elegant design language, with a commanding presence due to its large grille and wide-set front end. Inside, the top-tier models boasted interiors that could rival luxury brands, featuring brown suede upholstery, wood inlays, and matte black plastic accents. The CX-90's interior design was both stylish and comfortable, making it a strong contender in the luxury SUV segment.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue featured a 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, 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 and ride quality were generally good, with features like Intelligent Trace Control and Active Ride Control enhancing its handling. However, the steering felt lifeless, and the engine's character might not appeal to all drivers.

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 introduced two new powertrains, including a plug-in hybrid option and a turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine with a mild-hybrid system. The upgraded 3.3-litre inline-6 turbo engine delivered 340 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque, providing a thrilling driving experience. The CX-90's AWD and eight-speed automatic transmission contributed to its agile handling, especially in Sport mode. The PHEV model offered a combined output of 323 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque, with an all-electric range of 42 kilometres. Both powertrains showcased Mazda's commitment to performance, with the CX-90 handling corners with the agility of a smaller vehicle.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue served as a practical family vehicle, offering ample space for four passengers and a fifth when needed. The Platinum trim featured premium leather upholstery, heated front seats, and a panoramic sunroof. The Rogue's Zero Gravity seat designs provided comfort, though the rear seats lacked leg support. The SUV's cargo space was generous, with up to 1,028 litres available behind the rear seats and 2,064 litres with the seats folded. However, the Rogue's key fob design was a minor inconvenience, and the rear seat comfort was not on par with the front.

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 offered various seating configurations, accommodating up to eight passengers. The Turbo Signature trim featured a six-seat layout with captain's chairs, providing a touch more cargo space. The CX-90's cargo capacity ranged from 423 to 2,129 litres, depending on the seating arrangement. While it fell short of some competitors in terms of space, the CX-90 excelled in comfort and design. The interior featured clever storage solutions, comfortable seats, and high-quality materials, making it a pleasant environment for passengers.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue's infotainment system included an 8-inch or 9-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, satellite radio, and smartphone integration. The test vehicle featured a 9-inch display, wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, and a Bose audio system. However, the voice recognition technology was limited, and the system lacked the latest widescreen interface found in other Nissan models. The Rogue also offered a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a head-up display, enhancing the driving experience.

Mazda's approach to technology in the 2024 CX-90 focused on minimizing distractions. The Mazda Connect system used a rotary control knob and hard buttons instead of a touchscreen, aiming to keep drivers' eyes on the road. While the intention was commendable, the system's complexity could be distracting. The CX-90 offered personalization software with facial recognition, adjusting settings to individual profiles. It also included Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, with touchscreen controls for these systems, providing a more user-friendly 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 latter combined adaptive cruise control with lane-centring assistance, providing a hands-on driver support system. 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 Mazda CX-90 featured i-Activsense, a suite of advanced driver assistance systems, as standard. This included blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and automatic emergency braking. The CX-90's cruising and traffic support system blended lane-centring with adaptive cruise control, offering a reliable hands-on driver support system. While crash test ratings were not yet available, the CX-90 was expected to perform well, given the accolades received by its predecessor, the CX-9.