2023 Lincoln Navigator vs 2024 Nissan Rogue

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator continued to impress with its luxurious design and high-end features, despite not undergoing significant updates since its last refresh in 2022. The test vehicle, a triple-black Navigator Reserve model, showcased a sleek and sophisticated exterior with its Monochromatic Package, which included black 22-inch wheels and body-color trim. Inside, the cabin exuded an upscale ambiance with its all-black interior, real wood trim panels, and chrome accents. The ambient lighting from the Reserve I package added a touch of elegance, although some of the chrome plastic switchgear detracted slightly from the overall luxury feel.

In contrast, the 2024 Nissan Rogue received its first major styling update since its 2021 launch, featuring a new, larger grille and redesigned taillight elements. The Rogue's exterior updates included satin-finish badging and new wheel designs, enhancing its modern appeal. Inside, the Rogue Platinum test car boasted an upscale interior with leather seats and quilted stitching, providing a premium feel. The dashboard was updated to accommodate a new 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, contributing to a more refined cabin experience. Despite the improvements, the Rogue's ride quality was firm, and the CVT transmission did not enhance the driving experience.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator was powered by a robust twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering an impressive 440 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and a 4WD drivetrain, the Navigator offered a range of driving modes, including Conserve, Normal, Excite, Slippery, and Deep Conditions. Despite its powerful engine, the Navigator's fuel efficiency was less than stellar, averaging 15.6 mpg during testing. The SUV's ride quality was a mixed bag, with the adaptive damping suspension failing to smooth out smaller bumps, although Excite mode improved handling on winding roads.

The 2024 Nissan Rogue, on the other hand, featured a 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine, producing 201 horsepower and 225 pound-feet of torque. This engine outperformed many of its competitors in terms of power, but the CVT transmission was slow to respond, affecting the overall driving experience. The Rogue's suspension was firmer than expected, compromising ride comfort without enhancing handling. While the engine's performance was commendable, the droning exhaust note was less appealing.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator excelled in functionality, offering spacious seating across all three rows and a generous cargo area. The test vehicle featured Lincoln's 30-way Perfect Position power-adjustable front seats, providing exceptional comfort with heating, ventilation, and massage functions. The second-row captain's chairs were roomy, and the third-row seats accommodated taller adults comfortably. Storage space was abundant, with various trays and compartments throughout the cabin. The extended-length Navigator L model offered even more cargo space, making it ideal for carrying both passengers and luggage.

In comparison, the 2024 Nissan Rogue provided competitive passenger space, with slight variations in legroom compared to its rivals. The Rogue's cargo capacity was decent, offering 36.5 cubic feet with the rear seats in place and 74.1 cubic feet with them folded. The optional Divide-N-Hide system allowed for flexible cargo configurations, and the power liftgate added convenience. However, the center console's storage tray was somewhat awkward to access, and items placed there could be easily forgotten.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator featured a comprehensive suite of technology, including a 12-inch digital instrumentation display, a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and a dual-screen Lincoln Play infotainment system for rear passengers. The Sync 4 system offered wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, along with a navigation system and Alexa Built-in. The digital assistant performed exceptionally well, understanding and responding to commands accurately. The 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D Audio System provided an immersive audio experience, while the Phone As A Key technology added convenience.

The 2024 Nissan Rogue introduced Google built-in software, a first for Nissan, integrating Google Maps, Google Assistant, and the Google Play app store directly into the vehicle's infotainment system. The Rogue SL and Platinum models featured a dual 12.3-inch screen setup, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. While the system was generally user-friendly, the touchscreen was occasionally slow to boot up. The Rogue also included multiple USB ports and a wireless charging pad, enhancing connectivity and convenience.

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator was equipped with a comprehensive suite of advanced driving assistance systems, including BlueCruise, a hands-free driving assist system. However, BlueCruise had limitations, struggling with curves and construction zones, and requiring driver intervention in certain situations. The Navigator received a 5-star side-impact protection rating and a 4-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA, but lacked a full crashworthiness assessment.

The 2024 Nissan Rogue received favorable safety ratings, earning top "Good" ratings in several IIHS crash tests and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and lane departure warning. The optional ProPilot Assist system offered advanced driver assistance, with the SL and Platinum trims featuring a more capable version that used navigation data to enhance performance.