2023 Nissan Rogue vs 2023 Cadillac XT5

The 2023 Cadillac XT5 aimed to deliver affordable luxury, but its cabin materials seemed more fitting for a Buick or a high-end Chevy rather than a luxury Cadillac. Despite this, the interior was well-organized and spacious, offering ample headroom and legroom in both rows. The XT5 boasted above-average cargo space, with 850 litres available behind the second-row seats, which helped compensate for its less luxurious feel. Cadillac retained many physical controls, providing an intuitive experience, though this choice made the cabin feel somewhat dated. The XT5's design lacked the memorable or unique elements found in competitors like the Porsche Macan or Volvo XC60, which offered more modern and stylish interiors.

In contrast, the 2023 Nissan Rogue presented a rugged yet appealing design, crucial for attracting buyers who prioritize aesthetics. The Rogue's lineup included S, SV, SL, and Platinum trims, with prices ranging from $30,898 to $43,748, excluding destination charges. The Platinum trim, which we tested, featured AWD, two-tone paint, and a host of upscale features, including diamond-pattern leather seats and soft-touch surfaces. While the Rogue's interior materials met the quality standards of the compact SUV segment, its design was practical and straightforward, with a focus on comfort and usability. The Rogue's cabin offered a good balance of style and functionality, making it a strong contender in its class.

The 2023 Cadillac XT5 came equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, it offered either FWD or AWD. The base powertrain accelerated from 0 to 100 km/h in the high-seven-second range, though the engine could sound rough under heavy throttle. An available V6 engine produced 310 hp and 271 lb-ft of torque, providing a more suitable companion for various driving situations. However, the XT5 lacked driving excitement, with decent handling but a ride quality that suffered on broken pavement. The XT5's fuel economy was competitive, with the turbo-four and FWD achieving 10.9 L/100 km city, 8.2 highway, and 9.7 combined, while the V6 and AWD managed 13.1/9.5/11.5 L/100 km.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue, on the other hand, featured a new turbocharged 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine with a variable compression design, producing 201 horsepower and 225 lb-ft of torque. Paired with a CVT, the Rogue offered FWD or optional AWD, with Eco, Auto, and Sport driving modes. The VC-Turbo powertrain provided responsive performance in urban settings, though it lacked passing power on the highway. The Rogue's fuel economy was rated at 7.7 L/100 km combined, but our test vehicle averaged 8.1 L/100 km. The Rogue's ride quality was enhanced by brake-induced cornering improvements and a strut-type front and multi-link rear suspension, though it exhibited more body motion on undulating roads. Overall, the Rogue demonstrated a good balance of ride compliance and body control.

The 2023 Cadillac XT5's interior featured more hard plastics than expected, but it offered useful storage spaces, including a deep centre console storage bin. Front-seat ergonomics were good, with easy access to controls, while rear passengers had access to large seatback pockets and cupholders. The XT5 provided 850 litres of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 1,784 litres with the seats folded. This generous cargo capacity was easy to access, thanks to a wide liftgate opening and low load floor.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue served as a practical family vehicle, accommodating four people comfortably, with room for a fifth when needed. Our test vehicle featured premium semi-aniline leather upholstery, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The Rogue's Zero Gravity seat designs offered comfort, though the rear seat lacked leg support. The Rogue's rear doors opened to nearly 90 degrees, facilitating easy loading and unloading. Cargo space was ample, with up to 1,028 litres available behind the rear seats and 2,064 litres with them folded. The Rogue's Divide-N-Hide feature allowed for versatile cargo area configurations, enhancing its practicality.

The 2023 Cadillac XT5 featured the CUE infotainment system, offering an intuitive interface with an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot. The system included a Bose premium audio system, wireless charging, and navigation. Cadillac retained physical controls for the climate system and steering wheel, providing a user-friendly experience. While not as advanced as some competitors, the CUE system was more than acceptable and not distracting for drivers.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue used an older infotainment system with an 8-inch or available 9-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, satellite radio, wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The test vehicle featured a 9-inch touchscreen, a Bose audio system, and a navigation system with a door-to-door function. Voice recognition technology was limited, struggling with specific requests. The Rogue also included a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a head-up display, both of which worked well during our test drive.

The 2023 Cadillac XT5's last full crash test results were from the 2021 model, which earned top "Good" scores in all crash test areas but missed a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS. It received a "Marginal" score for headlights and an "Advanced" rating for vehicle-to-vehicle crash prevention. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, forward collision alert, and lane-keep assist. Higher trims offered additional features like blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue boasted a comprehensive suite of safety features, including 10 airbags, a rear-seat reminder system, and Safety Shield 360. This included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. Higher trims offered ProPilot Assist with Navi-link, combining adaptive cruise control with lane-centring assistance. The Rogue earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though it received lower scores in updated crash tests.