2023 Nissan Rogue vs 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid

The design of the 2023 Nissan Rogue did not push the envelope but maintained a balance of appealing craftsmanship and rugged styling. Its proper proportions, chiseled styling, and SUV detailing offered an attractive aesthetic. Buyers found it essential to drive a vehicle that looked good, and the Rogue certainly delivered on this front.

The Rogue lineup featured S, SV, SL, and Platinum trims, with the base price ranging from $27,360 to $37,140, plus a $1,295 destination charge. The SV, SL, and Platinum trims had optional Premium packages, while the Midnight Edition package was exclusive to the SV.

The test vehicle, a Platinum trim with a Premium package, boasted all-wheel drive, two-tone paint, and various luxurious extras. These additions pushed the MSRP to $43,100. At this price point, the Rogue enroached upon luxury territory, overlapping with the entry-level Infiniti QX50. The Platinum trim’s leather seats, crafted with soft, supple, diamond-patterned leather, combined with quality controls and materials, made the cabin feel upscale.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid also had a notable presence, thanks to its redesigned exterior. Standard and hybrid versions of the RX 350 looked nearly identical, differentiated only by a small badge on the liftgate. The RX 350h Luxury test vehicle, finished in Iridium silver, sported 21-inch wheels without hybrid-specific badging. This subtlety was appreciated by those who preferred their hybrids without ostentatious labels.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue featured a turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder VC-Turbo engine, introduced in 2022, which delivered 201 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 225 lb-ft of torque from 2,800 to 4,000 rpm. Paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) with paddle shifters, the powertrain aimed to balance performance and fuel economy.

Eco, Auto, and Sport driving modes were standard, with AWD models adding Off-Road and Snow modes. Remote engine starting and climate system pre-conditioning enhanced convenience.

The VC-Turbo powertrain was an improvement over the previous 2.5-liter four-cylinder, offering responsive urban and suburban driving. However, it lacked highway passing power, emitted an unusual engine note, and exhibited some vibration through the accelerator pedal.

The EPA rated the Rogue’s fuel economy at 31 mpg in combined driving, but during testing, it averaged 28.9 mpg. While not surprising based on previous VC-Turbo engine experiences, it fell short of expectations.

Handling was a mix of strengths and weaknesses. Intelligent Trace Control and Active Ride Control aimed to enhance ride quality and cornering, and the suspension design featured struts at the front and multi-link at the rear. The Rogue’s ride was composed over speed humps and sharper bumps but exhibited more lateral and vertical motion on undulating pavement. The steering felt lifeless, though overall handling was secure and predictable.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid featured different powertrains. The RX 350h, powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine hybrid system, produced 246 horsepower and 233 lb-ft of torque, accelerating to 60 mph in 7.4 seconds. It was expected to average 36 mpg in combined driving.

Performance upgrades in the RX 500h included adaptive damping suspension, Dynamic Rear Steering, and Active Sound Control, making it a fun and dynamic vehicle to drive. The RX 500h’s six-speed automatic transmission eliminated the droning common in hybrids.

Fuel efficiency in the RX 350h was commendable, with testing yielding 32 mpg, falling short of the estimated 36 mpg but better than other RX versions. The combination of the new GA-K architecture, lower center of gravity, battery pack, and electric assist motor contributed to a secure, comfortable drive.

The placement of battery packs under the rear seat raised the cushion, affecting headroom for rear passengers, though leg support and general comfort were commendable. The RX offered decent storage space, with 29.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 46.2 cubic feet with the seats folded down, a significant improvement over previous models but still short compared to some rivals.

• You require a modern infotainment system with connected services and voice-activated Intelligent Assistant.

In the 2023 Nissan Rogue, the compact SUV delivered on practicality and comfort. It served as an excellent family car replacement with easy ingress and egress, high driving visibility, and ample cargo space. The Platinum trim test vehicle came loaded with premium features, such as triple-zone automatic climate control and a dual-panel panoramic sunroof.

Nissan’s Zero Gravity seat designs offered impressive comfort for the front seats, aided by soft leather upholstery and advanced adjustability. However, the absence of ventilated front seats was a drawback. Outward visibility was good, though the ambient interior lighting control button was inconveniently located inside the center armrest storage bin.

The Rogue had a few ergonomic quirks, notably a poorly designed remote keyless entry fob with indistinguishable black-on-black buttons. The rear doors opened wide, making loading and unloading easy. The back seat offered sufficient room but lacked comfort compared to the front seats, with low-mounted bottom cushions and firm diamond-shaped pleats. Storage space was plentiful, though most compartments were unlined, causing noise and vibration issues.

Cargo capacity was a highlight of the Rogue. An available hands-free power liftgate provided access to 36.5 cubic feet of space behind the rear seat, expandable to 74.1 cubic feet with Nissan’s Divide-N-Hide feature, allowing various cargo configurations.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue used an older infotainment system compared to newer models. The 8-inch or 9-inch touchscreen displays were paired with physical volume and tuning knobs, main menu buttons, and typical connectivity options like Bluetooth, satellite radio, wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, NissanConnect services, and Wi-Fi hotspot access.

The test vehicle’s system included a 9-inch touchscreen, navigation with door-to-door function, a wireless smartphone charging pad, and a Bose premium audio system. Alexa Built-in was standard in Rogue Platinum but struggled with voice recognition accuracy.

The Rogue also boasted a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a head-up display (HUD), both of which performed well, though the HUD’s visibility during polarized sunglasses testing was not assessed due to inclement weather.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid featured the new Lexus Interface infotainment system, a modern upgrade that required paid subscriptions after trial periods for full functionality. This interface, mirroring Toyota’s system, offered connected services, user profiles, and a cloud-based navigation system with Google POIs and an Intelligent Assistant.

During testing, the Intelligent Assistant performed reasonably well, but some queries, like finding the nearest hospital or Chipotle, yielded inaccurate results. The large touchscreen allowed single-screen menu viewing only, a design flaw that necessitated constant screen switching. The display also suffered from reflections, particularly with light-colored interiors, and lacked a tuning knob.

Available head-up display (HUD) and touch-sensing control pads on the steering wheel added convenience but posed visibility challenges with polarized sunglasses. The dual-function touch pads were unmarked, and identifying active functions required looking at the HUD, disrupting the driving experience.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue was well-equipped with safety features, including 10 airbags, rear-seat reminder, and Safety Shield 360, which encompassed forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, rear automatic braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights.

NissanConnect services offered a short subscription for automatic collision notification, emergency assistance, and teen driver monitoring. Higher trims provided ProPilot Assist with Navi-link, combining adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assistance. This system worked well during highway testing, though braking could be abrupt when other vehicles cut in.

The Rogue received a Top Safety Pick+ from IIHS for 2022 but had Marginal and Acceptable scores in specific tests. NHTSA awarded it a five-star overall rating, with four stars for driver and front passenger in frontal impacts.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid came standard with Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, which included a motorcycle detection system, evasive steering assistance, intersection turn assistance, front cross-traffic alert, and curve-speed reduction for adaptive cruise control. Proactive Driving Assist and regenerative braking enhanced driving safety and efficiency.

Features like front cross-traffic alert, curve-speed reduction, and driver monitoring presented some operational quirks. Front cross-traffic alert beeped without visual cues when wearing polarized sunglasses, while curve-speed reduction felt reactive. The driver monitoring system issued warnings if the driver’s arm crossed the steering wheel’s center axis.

Traffic Jam Assist offered hands-free driving in traffic, though testing didn’t validate this feature. Advanced Park, a semi-autonomous parking system, wasn’t tested, though such systems generally take longer to use than manual parking.