2024 Nissan Rogue vs 2023 Subaru Forester

The 2023 Subaru Forester, despite its familiar and somewhat unremarkable exterior, offered a practical and functional design. Its Cascade Green Silica paint was reminiscent of many Foresters seen over the years. The Premier trim, priced at $44,087 including destination, stood out with its 18-inch alloy wheels and satin chrome exterior trim. The Forester's design was characterized by its boxy shape, flared fenders, and distinctive lighting, though it wasn't particularly attractive. Inside, the Premier trim featured exclusive brown leather, metallic accents, and a traditional Subaru layout with analog gauges and an 8-inch touchscreen. The interior was practical, with a mix of buttons and knobs for easy control, though it had a busy appearance.

In contrast, the 2024 Nissan Rogue received a significant styling update, enhancing its appeal. The new, larger grille and distinctive stack headlights gave it a modern look. The Rogue's trim levels in Canada included S, SV Moonroof, SV Premium, SL, and Platinum. The Platinum trim featured a new 19-inch wheel design and more black exterior trim. Inside, the Rogue boasted a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, giving it a premium feel. The Rogue SV models received upgraded materials, and the Platinum trim offered leather seats with quilted stitching. The Rogue's interior design was upscale, and it provided a comfortable and well-appointed cabin.

The 2023 Subaru Forester was powered by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The CVT had eight programmed ratios, and the Subaru Intelligent Drive SI-Drive system offered a Sport mode for improved responsiveness. The Forester's X-Mode off-road traction control system, with hill descent control, was standard, and the Sport trim added Deep Snow and Mud settings. The Forester Wilderness trim offered enhanced off-roading capabilities. During testing, the Forester Premier handled challenging weather conditions with confidence, though the engine was merely adequate. The Forester's driving dynamics were commendable, with a comfortable yet communicative ride, light steering, and effective brakes. However, it fell short of its fuel economy rating, achieving 9.1 L/100 km instead of the expected 8.2 L/100 km.

The 2024 Nissan Rogue featured a 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine with 201 horsepower and 225 lb-ft of torque. This VC-Turbo engine could vary its compression ratio for power or fuel economy. The Rogue's engine outperformed many competitors, but the CVT was slow to transfer power to the wheels. The Rogue's suspension felt firm, affecting ride quality without improving handling. While the engine impressed, the exhaust note was less appealing. The Rogue's all-wheel drive was standard in Canada, but it didn't excel as a driver's car.

The 2023 Subaru Forester prioritized function over form, offering practicality and simplicity. The Touring trim provided features like a panoramic sunroof, power-adjustable driver's seat, and heated front seats. Higher trims offered leather upholstery and dual-zone climate control. The Forester's visibility was excellent, and entry and exit were easy. However, the panoramic sunroof lacked sufficient tinting, and the rear seats were less comfortable. The Forester's cargo space was average for the segment, with 762 litres behind the rear seats and 1,957 litres with them folded.

The 2024 Nissan Rogue offered competitive passenger space, with slight differences in legroom compared to rivals. Its cargo space was slightly less than some competitors, with 1,033 litres behind the rear seats and 2,098 litres with them folded. The Rogue featured the optional Divide-N-Hide system for flexible cargo storage. The centre console provided additional storage, though accessing it was awkward. The Rogue's power liftgate and motion-activated liftgate were available on higher trims.

The 2023 Subaru Forester's technology appeared outdated but was functional. The Base trim had a 6.5-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM. An 8-inch touchscreen with navigation and a Harman Kardon audio system was available. The Forester's user interface was straightforward, with separate climate controls and easy-to-use knobs. However, the voice-recognition system was unreliable, making Apple CarPlay or Android Auto preferable.

The 2024 Nissan Rogue offered advanced technology, with lower trims featuring an 8-inch touchscreen and higher trims getting a 12.3-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Rogue was the first Nissan to offer Google built-in software, integrating Google Maps and Assistant. The dual 12.3-inch screen setup was a significant improvement, though the touchscreen was occasionally slow to boot up. The Rogue provided ample charging options, including USB-C ports and a wireless charging pad. Nissan Connect Services offered a three-year free trial for remote features.

The 2023 Subaru Forester featured the next-generation EyeSight system with updated software and cameras. Adaptive cruise control was standard, and higher trims added Automatic Emergency Steering. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard on most trims. The Forester's Rear Automatic Braking system was overly sensitive. The DriverFocus Distraction Mitigation System was exclusive to higher trims. The Forester received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA.

The 2024 Nissan Rogue received good safety scores from the IIHS, with top ratings in several crash tests. It also earned a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross traffic alert. ProPilot Assist, available on higher trims, offered advanced driver assistance features, including lane centring and adaptive cruise control.