Toyota Highlander Hybrid vs Nissan Rogue

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid was priced at just over $50,000 for the base Hybrid LE, with the Limited trim reaching $61,800 in Canada. It featured minimal appearance changes, with a new Cypress Green paint colour being the most notable update. The Highlander Hybrid's design was described as over-styled, with exaggerated forms and a lack of subtlety both inside and out. The interior was criticized for its mismatched textures, reflections, and a lack of quality in materials and controls. Despite these drawbacks, the vehicle was noted for its quietness on the road.

In contrast, the 2024 Nissan Rogue received its first major styling update since its 2021 launch. It featured a new, larger grille and redesigned taillight elements, along with new wheel designs for different trims. The Rogue's interior was praised for its premium feel, with new materials and a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen enhancing the cabin's appeal. The Rogue Platinum trim offered leather seats with quilted stitching, contributing to a more upscale atmosphere. Overall, the Rogue's design updates and interior improvements were well-received.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid combined a 2.5-litre Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine with two electric motor-generators, producing 243 combined horsepower. It offered standard all-wheel drive and a Predictive Efficient Drive system to maximize fuel efficiency, though it returned 8.2 L/100 km on the evaluation loop, higher than the expected 6.7 L/100 km. The Highlander Hybrid's performance was described as lacklustre, with limited high-speed passing power and a soft suspension that made it feel unengaging to drive. It was best suited for city and suburban driving, offering a compliant ride and quiet highway experience.

The 2024 Nissan Rogue featured a 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine with 201 horsepower and 225 pound-feet of torque. This VC-Turbo engine allowed for variable compression ratios, emphasizing power or fuel economy as needed. Despite the engine's impressive performance, the Rogue's continuously variable transmission (CVT) was slow to transfer power to the wheels. The suspension was firmer than expected, degrading ride quality without improving handling. While the Rogue was quiet, its droning exhaust note detracted from the overall driving experience.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid offered seating for seven or eight people, though the third-row seat was best for occasional use. Standard features included three-zone automatic climate control and heated front seats, with additional amenities like a heated steering wheel and ventilated front seats in the Platinum trim. The interior provided ample storage options, though some design choices, such as the centre armrest storage console, were criticized for being unnecessarily complex. Cargo space was generous, with a maximum of 2,387 litres available when the second-row seats were folded.

The 2024 Nissan Rogue provided nearly identical passenger space to its competitors, with differences mainly in legroom. It offered a maximum of 1,033 litres of cargo space with the rear seats in place and 2,098 litres with them folded. The Rogue featured the optional Divide-N-Hide system for flexible cargo storage and a power liftgate on higher trims. The centre console included a pass-through space for added flexibility, though accessing the storage tray at floor level was somewhat awkward.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid introduced new technology, including a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment systems. The Limited trim featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen with over-the-air updates, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and various connected service plans. The Drive Connect service plan offered additional features like a cloud-based navigation system and Intelligent Assistant voice recognition. The test vehicle also included a head-up display and an 11-speaker JBL sound system, though the graphics could have been bolder.

The 2024 Nissan Rogue came with an 8-inch touchscreen on lower trims, while SL and Platinum models received a 12.3-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Rogue was the first Nissan to feature Google built-in software, integrating Google Maps, Google Assistant, and the Google Play app store. This connectivity was free for five years, with a vehicle data plan required for third-party apps. The dual 12.3-inch screen setup was a significant improvement, though the touchscreen was occasionally slow to boot up. The Rogue also offered multiple USB ports and a wireless charging pad on higher trims.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid was equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) that included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard, with additional features like parking sensors and a surround-view camera on higher trims. The Highlander Hybrid received excellent crash-test ratings from both the IIHS and NHTSA.

The 2024 Nissan Rogue received good safety scores from the IIHS 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, an advanced driver assistance system, was available on higher trims, offering automated lane centring for highway driving. While not the most advanced system, it was more capable than those offered by most rivals.