2024 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2023 Nissan Rogue

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

In contrast, the 2024 Volkswagen Atlas underwent a styling refresh that added new lighting elements, including light-up VW logos and a front light bar connecting to the LED headlights. These changes gave the Atlas a more American swagger, moving away from its European influences. The Atlas also introduced new wheel designs across its trims and added the Peak Edition, which brought an outdoorsy flavour with features like black 18-inch wheels and all-terrain tires. The interior saw a revised look with a more functional design, though the contrast between the minimalist interior and the truck-like exterior was somewhat jarring.

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 was paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and offered different driving modes, including Eco, Auto, and Sport. The Rogue's performance was responsive in urban settings, though it lacked passing power on highways. The engine's character, with its unusual note and vibration, might not have appealed to everyone. Fuel economy was slightly below expectations, averaging 8.1 L/100 km in combined driving. The Rogue's suspension and ride quality were generally good, though it exhibited more body motion on undulating roads.

For the 2024 Volkswagen Atlas, the powertrain options were reduced to a single 2.0-litre turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine, delivering 269 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque. This engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive in Canada. The Atlas was quicker than its previous six-cylinder version, reaching 100 km/h in about 8.5 seconds. While the driving experience focused on comfort and frugality, the engine was noisier than expected. The Atlas maintained its towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms, though it lacked the off-road capabilities of some competitors.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue offered a practical alternative to a midsize car, with its higher ground clearance and available all-wheel drive. It comfortably accommodated four people, with the option to squeeze in a fifth. 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, though some areas were unlined, leading to potential noise. The cargo area offered up to 1,028 litres of space, expandable to 2,064 litres with the rear seats folded.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas provided seating for seven, with a second-row bench that could hold three child seats side by side. The interior space was competitive, with ample headroom and legroom across all three rows. The Atlas offered more cargo space than most rivals, with 583 litres available with all seats in place, expanding to 2,735 litres with the second and third rows folded. The Atlas also included more standard features for 2024, such as heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a power liftgate.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue featured an older infotainment system with an 8-inch or 9-inch touchscreen, offering Bluetooth connectivity, satellite radio, and wireless Apple CarPlay. The test vehicle included a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a head-up display. However, the voice recognition technology was limited, struggling with requests beyond basic commands. The infotainment system was complemented by a Bose premium audio system and a wireless smartphone charging pad.

In 2024, the Volkswagen Atlas upgraded its tech features, including a 12-inch touchscreen and a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster as standard. Wireless phone charging and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were also included. The Atlas switched to a Harman Kardon premium audio system, offering a 12-speaker setup on higher trims. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with sharp graphics and a map view in the digital instrument cluster. However, the reliance on haptic touchpads for controls was less intuitive than traditional buttons.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue came equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including 10 airbags, Safety Shield 360, and ProPilot Assist with Navi-link. The Rogue earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS for 2022, though it received Marginal and Acceptable scores in updated crash tests. The NHTSA awarded the Rogue a five-star overall rating, with four stars in frontal-impact collisions.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with five stars in side crash testing. The IIHS had not yet rated the 2024 model, but the 2023 version received a "Good" score in most tests. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. The Execline trim added park assist and a surround-view camera system.