2024 Toyota RAV4 vs 2023 Nissan Rogue

The 2023 Nissan Rogue was a testament to the brand's commitment to maintaining a classic yet appealing design. It featured well-proportioned and chiseled styling, with just enough SUV detailing to convey a rugged sense of purpose. The Rogue's design was crucial in attracting buyers, as aesthetics 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 soft-touch materials, enhancing the overall quality feel of the vehicle.

In contrast, the 2024 Toyota RAV4 aimed to project a tougher image, with its aggressive angularity and dual exhaust outlets hinting at performance. The RAV4's design included fake skid plates and robust roof racks on off-road-themed versions, adding to its rugged appeal. The interior was all about practicality, with utility-focused features like oversized rubberized control knobs and easy-clean surfaces. The RAV4's cabin was designed for utility, reflecting its purpose as a recreational activity vehicle.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue was equipped with a 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine, producing 201 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 225 lb-ft of torque from 2,800 to 4,000 rpm. This VC-Turbo engine aimed to balance performance and fuel economy, though it lacked passing power on highways. The CVT transmission, with paddle shifters, powered the front wheels, with AWD available. The Rogue offered multiple driving modes, including Eco, Auto, and Sport, with additional Off-Road and Snow modes for AWD versions. Despite its responsive nature in urban settings, the engine's unusual note and vibration might have been off-putting to some drivers. Fuel economy was rated at 7.7 L/100 km, but the test vehicle averaged 8.1 L/100 km.

The 2024 Toyota RAV4 featured a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 203 horsepower at 6,300 rpm and 184 lb-ft of torque at 5,000 rpm. The engine required high revs for maximum power, and AWD was standard in Canada. An eight-speed automatic transmission and Multi-Terrain Select with various driving modes enhanced its capability. The RAV4's engine was powerful for its class but sounded loud and unrefined. Fuel economy was rated at 8.5 L/100 km, with the test vehicle averaging 10.6 L/100 km. The RAV4 Hybrid offered better fuel efficiency at 6.4 L/100 km.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue was designed as a family car replacement, offering ease of entry and exit, good visibility, and a practical cargo area. It comfortably seated four adults, with a fifth fitting in the rear middle seat if needed. The Platinum trim featured premium leather upholstery, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. However, the rear seat comfort was lacking, with low-mounted cushions and diamond-shaped quilted pleats. The Rogue provided ample storage space, though most compartments were unlined, potentially causing noise. The cargo area offered up to 1,028 litres with the moonroof and expanded to 2,064 litres with the seats folded.

The 2024 Toyota RAV4 focused on practicality and utility, with features like storage shelves and rubberized control knobs. The interior was equipped with SofTex artificial leather upholstery, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The RAV4 comfortably seated four adults, with a fifth fitting when necessary. The rear seat offered good legroom and footroom, though it was low and lacked leg support. The cargo area provided 1,059 litres of space, expanding to 1,977 litres with the seats folded, making it competitive in its segment.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue featured an older infotainment system with an 8-inch or 9-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, satellite radio, and wireless Apple CarPlay. The test vehicle had a 9-inch screen, a Bose audio system, and a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display. Voice recognition was limited, struggling with specific requests. The Rogue also included a head-up display, though it wasn't tested with polarized sunglasses.

The 2024 Toyota RAV4 boasted the latest Toyota Audio Multimedia system with an 8-inch or 10.5-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and connected services. Service Connect and Safety Connect were free for ten years, while Remote Connect was complimentary for three years. Drive Connect required a subscription, offering cloud-based navigation and a digital voice assistant. The system lacked a multi-panel Home screen and had a delicate font. The test vehicle had a digital rear-view mirror but not the panoramic surround-view camera.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue came with 10 airbags, Safety Shield 360, and a rear-seat reminder system. Higher trims offered ProPilot Assist with Navi-link, combining adaptive cruise control and lane-centring assistance. The Rogue earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS for 2022 but had Marginal and Acceptable scores in updated tests. The NHTSA gave it a five-star overall rating, with four stars for frontal-impact collisions.

The 2024 Toyota RAV4 included Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The adaptive cruise control and lane-centring assist worked better on straighter highways. The RAV4 lost its Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS due to Marginal and Acceptable ratings in recent tests, indicating the need for a redesign.