2023 Nissan Rogue vs 2024 Kia Seltos

The 2023 Nissan Rogue was a testament to the brand's commitment to maintaining a classic yet appealing design. It featured well-proportioned and chiseled styling, with just enough SUV detailing to convey a rugged sense of purpose. This design approach was crucial, as aesthetics played a significant role in consumer purchasing decisions. The Rogue's lineup included various trims, with the Platinum trim offering upscale features like diamond-pattern leather seats and soft-touch materials, enhancing the overall luxurious feel of the vehicle.

In contrast, the 2024 Kia Seltos underwent a mid-cycle refresh, resulting in subtle yet effective design updates. The refreshed headlight and grille designs, along with a connecting light strip between the taillights, gave the Seltos a modernized appearance. The new "Pluton Blue" paint colour added a sharp look to the vehicle. Inside, the Seltos introduced a large digital panel spanning two-thirds of the dash, enhancing the cabin's contemporary feel. The interior changes, combined with the new Gentle Brown colour option, provided a fresh and inviting atmosphere.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue featured a 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 AWD system, standard on most trims in Canada, provided additional driving modes like Off-Road and Snow. Despite its innovative powertrain, the Rogue's fuel economy fell short of expectations, averaging 8.1 L/100 km. The SUV's ride quality was generally smooth, with features like Intelligent Trace Control and Active Ride Control enhancing cornering and comfort. However, the steering felt lifeless, and the all-season tires offered modest grip.

The 2024 Kia Seltos offered two engine options. The base 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine delivered 146 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque, paired with an IVT. The SX and X-Line trims featured a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 195 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, mated to a new eight-speed automatic transmission. This setup provided noticeable acceleration improvements, especially in Sport mode. The Seltos handled various road conditions well, with responsive steering and minimal body roll. The brakes initially felt touchy but settled over time. With 18 cm of ground clearance, the Seltos was capable of light off-road adventures.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue offered a spacious interior, accommodating four adults comfortably, with the option to squeeze in a fifth passenger. The Platinum trim featured premium leather upholstery, heated front seats, and a panoramic sunroof. However, the rear seat comfort was lacking, with low-mounted cushions and diamond-shaped quilted pleats. The Rogue provided ample storage space, with up to 1,028 litres of cargo space behind the rear seats and 2,064 litres with the seats folded. The hands-free power liftgate and Divide-N-Hide feature added convenience.

The 2024 Kia Seltos boasted an upright seating position, providing excellent visibility and headroom. The interior offered decent storage solutions, including in-door cupholders and cubbies. The Seltos provided 753 litres of cargo space with the rear seats in use and up to 1,778 litres with them folded. The hands-free power liftgate, standard from the EX Premium trim, added practicality. The Seltos's interior design allowed for comfortable seating for taller occupants, both in the front and rear.

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 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a head-up display. However, the voice recognition system struggled with accuracy, and the infotainment system lacked the latest features found in newer models.

The 2024 Kia Seltos offered a consistent digital bezel across trims, with screen sizes varying by trim. The base system included an 8-inch touchscreen, while upper trims featured a 10.25-inch digital instrument panel and touchscreen. The infotainment system was responsive, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. The SX and X-Line trims included an upgraded Bose premium stereo system. The Seltos also offered Digital Key 2 Touch, allowing smartphone-based vehicle access.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue came equipped with Safety Shield 360, featuring forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and more. 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 specific crash tests.

The 2024 Kia Seltos included standard driver assistance features like forward collision avoidance, lane keep assist, and blind-spot monitoring. The EX Premium trim added smart adaptive cruise control, while the SX trim featured traffic sign recognition and highway driving assist. The Seltos's safety features provided comprehensive protection for drivers and passengers.