2024 Nissan Rogue vs 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2024 Nissan Rogue underwent its first major styling update since its 2021 launch, offering a refreshed look with a larger grille and distinctive stack headlights. The rear fascia saw minor changes with redesigned taillight elements. The Rogue's exterior was enhanced with satin-finish badging and new wheel designs, including 18-inch wheels for the SV grade and 19-inch machined-finish wheels for the Platinum model. The Platinum trim also featured more black exterior trim and an optional black roof. Inside, the Rogue received a new 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, giving the dashboard a more premium feel. The Rogue SV models were updated with new materials throughout the interior, and the Platinum trim boasted leather seats with quilted stitching, adding to its upscale appeal.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe, available in XRT, Luxury, and Ultimate Calligraphy trims, retained its chunky, boxy design from its 2024 debut. The three-row SUV featured a long wheelbase, flat hood, and snub nose, with pixelated H-shaped LED headlamps that aligned with Hyundai's design aesthetic. The rear design, however, suffered from mismatched proportions, with taillights positioned lower than ideal. Each trim had specific wheel designs, ranging from 18 to 21 inches. The interior offered seating for seven, except for the Ultimate Calligraphy trim, which had captain's chairs in the second row. The fit and finish were generally good, though some squeaks and rattles were noted. The Santa Fe's interior was equipped with physical dials for HVAC temperature, though the fan speed buttons were less intuitive.

The 2024 Nissan Rogue featured a 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine, part of Nissan's VC-Turbo lineup, capable of varying its compression ratio for power or fuel economy. With 201 horsepower and 225 pound-feet of torque, it outperformed many competitors' engines, including the Honda CR-V and Subaru Forester. However, the continuously variable transmission (CVT) was slow to transfer power to the wheels, detracting from the engine's performance. The Rogue's suspension was firmer than expected, affecting ride quality without improving handling. Despite its quiet cabin, the Rogue's droning exhaust note was a downside.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe came with a standard 2.5-litre turbocharged engine, delivering 277 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. An eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission handled shifting, though turbo lag and delayed downshifts were noted. The gear selector, located on a stalk, required some adjustment. The XRT trim featured 30-inch all-terrain tires and increased ground clearance, enhancing off-road capabilities. However, the Santa Fe was not suited for rugged terrain, performing best on graded dirt roads.

The 2024 Nissan Rogue offered competitive passenger space, with slight variations in legroom compared to rivals. Its cargo space was less than the Honda CR-V and Hyundai Tucson but more than the Subaru Forester. The optional Divide-N-Hide system allowed for flexible cargo configurations, and the Rogue featured a power liftgate and motion-activated liftgate on higher trims. The centre console provided additional storage, though access was somewhat awkward.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe excelled in interior space, offering the most third-row legroom in its class. The second and third rows could be folded for increased cargo capacity, with a maximum of 2,267 litres available. The rear opening was widened for easier loading, and most trims could tow up to 1,587 kilograms, with the XRT trim capable of towing 2,040 kilograms. The Santa Fe's interior was well-equipped, with features like heated seats and a premium audio system available on higher trims.

The 2024 Nissan Rogue featured an 8-inch touchscreen on lower trims, with a 12.3-inch screen on SL and Platinum models. These higher trims also included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a digital instrument cluster, and Google built-in apps. The Rogue was the first Nissan to offer Google built-in software, providing integrated Google Maps and Assistant. Connectivity was free for five years, with a vehicle data plan required for third-party apps. The Rogue also offered multiple USB-C ports and a wireless charging pad on higher trims.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe came with a 12.3-inch touchscreen and digital gauge cluster, except for the base hybrid trim. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto standard. Higher trims included built-in navigation and a digital rearview mirror. The Santa Fe featured multiple USB-C ports and a wireless charging pad, with the ability to use a phone or Apple watch as a digital key. Bluelink app connectivity was standard, offering features like climate control presets and vehicle monitoring.

The 2024 Nissan Rogue received strong safety ratings, with top scores from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and lane departure warning. ProPilot Assist, available on higher trims, offered advanced driver assistance with lane centring and adaptive cruise control.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, and forward collision avoidance. Highway Drive Assist combined adaptive cruise control and lane following assist, though performance varied in traffic. The top trims included blind spot avoidance and a Blind View Monitor. The Santa Fe received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA and top scores from the IIHS, except for headlights and LATCH categories.