2024 Nissan Rogue vs 2023 Volvo XC90

The 2023 Volvo XC90 marked a significant departure from the brand's past design ethos, which was often likened to utilitarian appliances. This model exuded a sense of purpose without being ostentatious, with a stout front end and a grille that was assertive yet not overly flashy. The signature "Thor’s Hammer" headlights added a modern touch, distinguishing it from the boxy Volvos of the past. The XC90's dimensions remained somewhat rectilinear, but it was far from resembling a toaster. The test vehicle, in Ultimate trim, featured 21-inch wheels that added a touch of drama to its otherwise stoic appearance. The interior was a testament to Scandinavian elegance, with a minimalist design that incorporated luxurious materials like Nappa leather and Orrefors crystal. The cabin was a blend of tasteful elements, including wood deco inlays and metal speaker covers, creating a serene and sophisticated environment.

In contrast, the 2024 Nissan Rogue underwent its first major styling update since the 2021 model year. The new, larger grille seamlessly integrated with the distinctive stack headlights and daytime running lights, while the rear fascia saw minor changes. The Rogue's exterior updates included satin-finish badging and new wheel designs, with the top Platinum grade featuring more black trim and an optional black roof. Inside, the Rogue's dashboard was redesigned to accommodate a new 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, giving it a more premium feel. The Rogue Platinum test car boasted an upscale interior with leather seats and quilted stitching, creating a cabin that felt worthy of its top-tier status. Despite the engine's impressive performance, the Rogue's ride quality was compromised by a firmer suspension, and the CVT transmission was slow to respond, detracting from the overall driving experience.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 introduced the B6 engine, a mild-hybrid powertrain that replaced the older T5 and T6 engines. This new setup offered 295 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, slightly less than its predecessor but with improved fuel efficiency and smoother operation. The mild-hybrid system used a lithium-ion battery to power a 13-volt starter generator, reducing the engine's load and enhancing the fuel-saving auto stop-start technology. The XC90 delivered a refined driving experience, with quick acceleration and a responsive eight-speed automatic transmission. Its handling was surprisingly agile for its size, and the cabin remained quiet thanks to effective insulation. The XC90's brakes provided a confident pedal feel, and while it lacked extensive off-road features, its simplicity in driving dynamics was appreciated by some.

The 2024 Nissan Rogue featured a 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine, part of Nissan's VC-Turbo lineup, which allowed it to vary its compression ratio for optimal power or fuel economy. With 201 horsepower and 225 pound-feet of torque, the Rogue's engine outperformed many of its competitors. However, the CVT transmission was slow to transfer power to the wheels, diminishing the engine's potential. The Rogue's suspension was firmer than expected, affecting ride quality without enhancing handling. Despite these drawbacks, the Rogue maintained a quiet cabin, and its engine performance was commendable, though the droning exhaust note was less appealing.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 offered a serene front-seat experience, but its minimalist design led to limited storage options. The lack of a dedicated space for a cell phone and a small centre console bin were notable drawbacks. The second row was comfortable and spacious, but accessing the third row was challenging, especially with the standard seven-passenger seating configuration. The XC90 provided 356 litres of cargo space with all seats in place, expanding to 1,183 litres with the third row folded and 1,856 litres with all rear seats down. While it drove like a smaller vehicle, its cargo capacity fell short compared to some competitors.

The 2024 Nissan Rogue provided competitive passenger space, with legroom variations among its rivals. Its cargo capacity reached 1,033 litres with the rear seats in place and 2,098 litres with them folded, offering more space than the Subaru Forester but less than the Honda CR-V and Hyundai Tucson. The Rogue featured the optional Divide-N-Hide system for flexible cargo storage and a power liftgate on higher trims. The centre console offered additional storage, though accessing the lower tray was awkward.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 featured a 9-inch vertically positioned touchscreen running Google OS, the first of its kind as a standard infotainment system. It integrated Google Maps, Spotify, and Google Assistant, enhancing the user experience with natural-language recognition. However, the reliance on the touchscreen for many functions could be frustrating, and more physical controls would have been appreciated. Keyless entry was standard, with an optional head-up display.

The 2024 Nissan Rogue offered an 8-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on lower trims, while SL and Platinum models received a 12.3-inch touchscreen with wireless connectivity and Google built-in apps. The dual 12.3-inch screen setup improved the infotainment experience, though the touchscreen was occasionally slow to boot up. The Rogue included multiple USB ports and a wireless charging pad on higher trims. Nissan Connect Services extended its free trial period, offering features like remote door lock/unlock and vehicle health reports.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 was renowned for its safety, earning a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS. Standard safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping assist. Volvo's Pilot Assist technology further enhanced safety by maintaining distance and lane position.

The 2024 Nissan Rogue received favourable safety ratings, with top scores in several IIHS tests and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. Standard driver assist features included automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and lane departure warning. ProPilot Assist, available on higher trims, added automated lane centring for highway driving, though it required driver attention.