While “going rogue” typically implies rebelliousness, finding a Nissan Rogue for sale at your local dealer proves the subcompact SUV lives up to its name in a different way. Where the rest of the segment is lost in a sea of mediocrity and ordinary, the Rogue defies the standards as a rugged and sporty SUV that’s surprisingly affordable, spacious, and capable. It’s a well-rounded crossover that rivals models like the Toyota RAV4, Ford Escape, Chevy Equinox, GMC Terrain, and Honda CR-V in nearly every way.
Affordability
The 2023 Rogue starts at $27,360, making it one of the most affordable SUVs in the segment and an incredible value across its four-trim lineup. For example, the entry-level S comes standard with the 1.5L turbocharged engine, an eight-inch touchscreen display with NissanConnect and Apple CarPlay integration, and the Nissan Safety Shield 360 suite. But how does this price tag compare to other models?
While you can get a 2023 Chevy Equinox for $26,600 or a 2023 Hyundai Tucson for $26,450, this gets you behind the wheel of a bare-bones model that leaves much to be desired. Other models like the Buick Envision, Ford Escape, GMC Terrain, Honda CR-V, and Toyota RAV4 have higher price tags than the Rogue, yet, they don’t offer any incentives to accompany the price increase. Instead, you’ll spend around $27,500 on the 2023 Escape, $33,400 on the 2023 Envision, or $27,575 on the 2023 RAV4 without any added benefits, features, or capabilities.
Power and Performance
The Rogue’s subcompact footprint puts it in the same classification as the Envision, Equinox, Escape, Terrain, CR-V, and RAV4, but Nissan distinguishes the Rogue by how it handles and performs. For example, the 2023 Rogue comes standard with a 1.5L turbocharged variable compression engine and continuously variable transmission that produces 201 horsepower, 225 lb-ft of torque, and a maximum towing capacity of 1,500 pounds. While this towing capacity is comparable to most of the Rogue’s rivals, the SUV’s power output gives it a clear advantage.
The 2023 Equinox and 2023 GMC Terrain share the same 1.5L turbocharged four-cylinder engine. However, Chevrolet mates the powerplant with a six-speed automatic, while GMC pairs it with a nine-speed automatic. Unfortunately, this wider gear ratio does little for the Terrain’s performance, with both powerplants delivering 175 horsepower and 203 lb-ft of torque. The same is true for the 2023 Ford Escape and its 1.5L standard powerplant that produces 180 horsepower and 199 lb-ft of torque or the 2023 Honda CR-V with its 1.5L turbocharged engine that delivers 190 horsepower and 179 lb-ft of torque.
Efficiency
The Rogue defies the age-old belief that more power always comes at the cost of efficiency. Nissan accomplishes this feat with its variable compression engine and continuously variable transmission, which balances power output with efficiency. The result is phenomenal, giving the 2023 Rogue an average fuel economy of 30 MPG in the city and 37 MPG on the highway with front-wheel drive or 28 MPG and 35 MPG, respectively, for all-wheel drive models.
The Rogue’s rivals can’t match its efficiency. We see this firsthand in the 2023 Envision and its 2.0L turbocharged engine guzzling fuel to the tune of 23 MPG in the city and 31 MPG on the highway for front-wheel drive models. The 2023 Equinox follows a similar pattern at 26 MPG city and 31 MPG highway, with the Terrain averaging 24 MPG in the city and 29 MPG on the highway. The Ford Escape and Honda CR-V come closest to the Rogue and average 28 MPG in the city and 34 MPG on the highway for front-wheel drive models.
Cargo Capacity
Subcompact SUVs are impressive because they blend the performance and efficiency of a sedan but offer more spaciousness and versatility. The Rogue is an outstanding example of this because its subcompact design delivers more than what meets the eye. For example, the Rogue offers seating for five and 74.1 cubic feet of cargo space that you can maximize with Nissan’s exclusive Divide-N-Hide cargo management system.
General Motors models can’t rival the Rogue and offer less room for cargo. The 2023 Envision is the smallest and offers 52.7 cubic feet of space, with the GMC Terrain coming in at 63.3 cubic feet and the Chevy Equinox at 63.9 cubic feet. Not even the Ford Escape can compete, with the 2023 model offering only 65.4 cubic feet of cargo space.
Driver and Passenger Comfort
While every automaker prioritizes comfort, some manage this better than others. Buick and GMC are well-known for offering premium luxury at affordable prices, but this luxury is generally limited to heated leather seats and multi-zone climate control. We see this on 2023 models like the Envision and Terrain, with siblings like the entry-level Chevy Equinox offering even less.
Fortunately, the Rogue takes a different approach that reflects Nissan’s commitment to making its lineup the most comfortable in the industry. This is apparent in the Rogue’s NASA-inspired Zero Gravity front seats, which are designed with unique pressure points to minimize driver fatigue and improve focus behind the wheel. In addition, optional features like tri-zone climate control and sunshades add another layer of comfort for you and your passengers.
Digital Display Size
There is no shortage of high-level technology anywhere you look in the segment, but as with everything else, Nissan adds incredible value to the Rogue with its suite of standard and available features. For example, the 2023 Rogue has an eight-inch touchscreen display, which you can upgrade to a nine-inch customizable display. From the driver’s seat, you’ll also have access to available technology like a 12.3-inch Digital Dashboard gauge cluster and a 10.8-inch head-up display that optimizes your focus on the road.
The Rogue’s trifecta of displays gives the SUV another advantage over its rivals. Right out of the gate, the Rogue’s standard display is larger than the Chevy Equinox (seven inches), the GMC Terrain (eight inches), and the Honda CR-V (seven inches). The Rogue’s larger display gives drivers a better advantage when using innovative tools like the rear vision camera, navigation system, or smartphone apps via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.
Safety and Driver-Assist Features
Looking at safety and driver-assist features slightly levels the playing field because of industry-wide standards. For example, the Rogue isn’t alone in offering a standard safety suite since Buick, Chevrolet, GMC, and Ford do the same. However, Nissan differentiates the Rogue by the extensiveness of its suite and the available options.
The 2023 Rogue comes standard with the Nissan Safety Shield 360. The suite includes Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, a Blind Spot Warning, Rear Automatic Braking, Lane Departure Warning, High Beam Assist, and Rear Cross Traffic Alert. Nissan’s Intelligent Driver Alertness technology and Rear Door Alert are also standard and complement available upgrades like Blind Spot Intervention, Traffic Sign Recognition, and Intelligent Cruise Control with ProPILOT Assist.
Buick, Chevrolet, and GMC take a similar cue and equip models like the Envision, Equinox, and Terrain with a standard safety suite. The brand-specific packages outfit the SUVs with similar tools like Automatic Emergency Braking, IntelliBeam auto high beams, and Forward Collision Alert. Likewise, Ford’s Co-Pilot360 suite is standard on the 2023 Escape and can be enhanced with the Assist+ package that adds Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control with Speed Sign Recognition.
Why Going Rogue Is Incredibly Worthwhile
The Rogue is Nissan’s top-selling SUV, and it’s easy to see why when you look at the complete package compared to rivals like the Buick Envision, Chevy Equinox, Ford Escape, and Honda CR-V. The Rogue does something that many others can’t by offering outstanding value without sending its price sky-high. Its affordability makes the SUV accessible to the masses, while its rugged design, capable and efficient powertrain, and high-tech features make the subcompact powerhouse even sweeter.
