2023 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2023 Nissan Rogue

The 2023 Nissan Rogue was a testament to the brand's commitment to appealing design without taking unnecessary risks. It featured well-proportioned, chiseled styling that conveyed a rugged sense of purpose, making it an attractive choice for those who valued aesthetics in their vehicle. The Rogue's design was critical in ensuring it remained a popular choice among consumers who were unlikely to purchase a vehicle they found unattractive. The lineup included various trims, from the base S FWD to the luxurious Platinum, with the latter offering upscale features like diamond-pattern leather seats and soft-touch materials, enhancing the overall quality feel of the compact SUV.

In contrast, the 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan maintained its design from the previous year, offering a conservative yet gracefully aging appearance. The Tiguan was available in several trims, including the sportier R-Line versions, with prices ranging from $36,675 to $47,175. Despite the variety of exterior and interior colour options, choices were limited by trim level, which could be frustrating for those seeking a specific look. The Tiguan's design was complemented by features like adaptive front lighting and a light bar across the grille, giving it a more expensive appearance. Inside, the Tiguan boasted an upscale cabin with quality materials, digital instrumentation, and a panoramic sunroof, contributing to its solid and robust construction.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue featured a new turbocharged 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine with a variable compression design, producing 201 horsepower and 225 lb-ft of torque. This engine, paired with a CVT, offered a responsive driving experience in urban settings, though it lacked passing power on highways. The Rogue's drivetrain included Eco, Auto, and Sport driving modes, with additional Off-Road and Snow modes for AWD versions. Despite its innovative engine, the Rogue's fuel economy fell short of expectations, averaging 8.1 L/100 km in testing. The SUV's ride quality was enhanced by Intelligent Trace Control and Active Ride Control, though it exhibited more body motion on undulating roads. Overall, the Rogue provided a secure handling character, though its steering felt lifeless.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan was equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 184 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Tiguan's 4Motion AWD system offered various driving modes, including Eco, Normal, and Sport, as well as off-road settings. In testing, the Tiguan averaged 10.4 L/100 km, slightly above the expected fuel economy. While the Tiguan's powertrain was not the smoothest, its dynamic qualities were rewarding, with excellent tire grip and stable handling. The SUV provided a compliant ride without excessive body motion, though road noise was noticeable. The Tiguan's visibility and nimble handling made it easy to park, and its quirks were manageable once acclimated.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue served as a practical family vehicle, offering easy entry and exit, good visibility, and a spacious cargo area. The Platinum trim featured premium leather upholstery, heated front seats, and a panoramic sunroof, though ventilated seats were not available. The Rogue's Zero Gravity front seats provided comfort, but the rear seats were less comfortable, with low-mounted cushions and quilted pleats. Storage space was ample, though unlined compartments could cause noise. The Rogue's cargo area offered up to 1,028 litres of space with the moonroof and 2,064 litres with the rear seats folded, thanks to the Divide-N-Hide feature.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan excelled in passenger and cargo space, with some configurations offering a third-row seat. The front seats were comfortable, with power adjustment, heating, and ventilation. However, the dashboard's touch-sensing controls were challenging to use. The Tiguan's rear seat provided generous legroom and headroom, though the cushion could use more support. The cargo area was spacious, with 1,064 litres behind the second row and 2,078 litres with the seats folded. The Tiguan's hands-free power liftgate and adjustable load floor added convenience, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue featured an older infotainment system with an 8-inch or 9-inch touchscreen, offering Bluetooth, satellite radio, and smartphone integration. The test vehicle included a 9-inch display, wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, and a Bose audio system. However, the voice recognition system was limited in functionality. The Rogue also had a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a head-up display, both of which performed well during testing.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan came with digital instrumentation, with R-Line trims featuring a 10.25-inch display. The infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless smartphone integration and a Fender sound system. However, the system's user interface was complex, requiring multiple steps for simple tasks. The voice recognition system was also lacking, often failing to connect. Despite these challenges, the Tiguan's technology offered a range of features, though it required acclimation to use effectively.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue was equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including 10 airbags, Safety Shield 360, and ProPilot Assist with Navi-link. The latter combined adaptive cruise control with lane-centring assistance, providing a smooth driving experience. The Rogue earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS for 2022 and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though it received lower scores in specific tests.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan offered advanced safety features, including Front Assist, Side Assist, and IQ.Drive, which added adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist. The Tiguan's safety technology performed well, with minimal false alerts. However, the NHTSA's crash-test ratings were incomplete, and the Tiguan's driver door unlatched during a side-impact test. The IIHS awarded the Tiguan a Top Safety Pick+ for 2022, though this rating did not apply for 2023.