2023 Nissan Rogue vs 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander

The 2023 Nissan Rogue was a testament to the brand's commitment to maintaining a balance between ruggedness and style. Its design was characterized by proper proportions and handsomely chiseled styling, which conveyed a rugged sense of purpose without taking significant design risks. The Rogue's appeal was crucial, as aesthetics often played a pivotal 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, making it a competitive choice in the compact SUV segment.

In contrast, the 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander was a larger, more spacious vehicle, built on the TNGA-K platform. It shared its underpinnings with several other Toyota models, offering a crossover experience rather than a body-on-frame SUV. Its design was more conservative and blockier, drawing inspiration from rugged vehicles like the 4Runner. The Grand Highlander was available in three trims, with the Platinum trim offering luxurious features such as real leather upholstery and advanced seating options. Its spacious interior and thoughtful design made it a comfortable choice for families and road trips.

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 highway passing power. The Rogue's AWD system was standard on all but the base trim in Canada, and it offered multiple driving modes, including Off-Road and Snow. Despite some engine noise and vibration, the Rogue's ride quality was generally smooth, with intelligent control systems enhancing cornering and ride comfort.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander offered three engine options, including a 2.4-litre turbo four-cylinder with 265 horsepower and a 2.5-litre hybrid with 245 horsepower. The top-tier Hybrid Max powertrain delivered 362 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque. All models came with AWD, and the Hybrid Max offered impressive acceleration. The Grand Highlander was larger and less maneuverable than its smaller counterpart, but it provided solid braking and adequate acceleration. It featured multiple drive modes, including Sport, Eco, and Normal, with additional off-road modes for gas-only and Hybrid Max models.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue was designed as a practical family vehicle, offering ample space for four passengers and a fifth in a pinch. The Platinum trim featured premium leather upholstery, heated seats, and a panoramic sunroof. The Rogue's Zero Gravity seats provided comfort, though the rear seats were less comfortable. Storage was plentiful, with a hands-free power liftgate and configurable cargo space offering up to 2,064 litres of volume. However, some design choices, like the key fob and rear seat comfort, left room for improvement.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander excelled in space and comfort, with a length of over 5 metres and a wheelbase of 2,950 mm. It offered more cargo capacity than many rivals, with up to 2,761 litres available. The interior was spacious, with ample headroom and legroom in all rows, making it suitable for adults even in the third row. The Grand Highlander's design prioritized comfort and practicality, providing a viable alternative to minivans for those seeking a spacious family vehicle.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue featured an older infotainment system with an 8-inch or 9-inch touchscreen, offering Bluetooth, satellite radio, and smartphone integration. The test vehicle included a 9-inch screen, wireless Apple CarPlay, and a Bose audio system. However, the voice recognition system struggled with accuracy, and the infotainment system felt dated compared to newer offerings.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander boasted a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a significant improvement over previous Toyota interfaces. It offered features like dual-device Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. An intelligent assistant and cloud-based navigation were available through a subscription. The JBL stereo system provided excellent sound quality, and the tech package represented a leap forward for Toyota, though subscription options required careful consideration.

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. It 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. ProPilot Assist impressed with its accuracy and ease of use, enhancing the Rogue's safety credentials.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander included Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 as standard, featuring automatic emergency braking, lane-departure alert, and adaptive cruise control. While it had not yet been crash-tested, the Grand Highlander offered an impressive array of advanced driver assistance systems, with additional features like traffic jam assist and a head-up display available on higher trims.