2023 Nissan Rogue vs. Toyota RAV4: Pros and Cons of Each Compact SUV

We've been impressed with the 2023 Nissan Rogue's sophisticated 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine. Output is 201 hp and 225 lb-ft of torque, making this the most powerful Rogue ever. Front-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive is available. A CVT automatic is standard on every 2023 Rogue. In addition to being punchy and refined, the Rogue's engine is fuel efficient.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 uses a 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder engine that develops 203 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque. It also comes equipped with a standard eight-speed automatic. Front-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive is available. Unlike the Rogue's engine, the RAV4's drivetrain lacks polish. The four-cylinder engine is loud, and the transmission frequently hunts for gears. This point goes to the Rogue.

One of the key advantages the 2023 RAV4 holds over the 2023 Nissan Rogue is its available hybrid powertrain. The 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid returns 41/38 mpg city/highway and still manages an EPA rating of 38/35 mpg in the rugged-looking Woodland Edition trim. Improved power output is another perk of choosing the RAV4 Hybrid; the gasoline engine and electric motor work together to produce 219 hp. For those desiring an even more electrified experience, there's also the excellent 2023 RAV4 Prime.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue lineup returns better fuel economy than the Toyota RAV4. EPA ratings are 29-30/36-37 mpg city/highway with front-wheel drive and 28/35-36 mpg with all-wheel drive. The 2023 Toyota RAV4 returns 27/34-35 mpg with front-wheel drive and 25-27/32-34 mpg with all-wheel drive. Buyers who want to save money on gas should pick the Rogue.

We prefer the 2023 Nissan Rogue's interior to that of the 2023 Toyota RAV4. Even though the Toyota has smart interior features such as dashboard shelves and a mobile device compartment under the center stack, the Rogue's cabin looks more upscale and its materials feel more premium than those of the Toyota. Nissan integrates modern technology without forgoing hard-touch buttons and knobs for the HVAC and infotainment. Nissan also included clever cubbies and storage compartments; we particularly like the double-hinged center console.

Nissan offers more interior volume in the 2023 Rogue than Toyota does in the 2023 RAV4. The Rogue has 41.5 inches of front legroom and 38.5 inches of rear legroom compared to the RAV4's 41.0 and 37.8 inches. The RAV4 has the Rogue beat for cargo volume behind the back seats, with 37.6 cubic feet available compared to 31.6-36.5 cubic feet depending on configuration. However, if you flip down the Nissan Rogue's rear seats, it opens up 74.1 cubic feet, which is bigger than the RAV4's 69.8 cubic feet. Also keep in mind that the RAV4 has narrow rear door openings, which make for more difficult loading and unloading.

Toyota equips the 2023 RAV4 with a standard 8.0-inch touchscreen and a 7.0-inch infotainment display. Upper trim levels come with a 10.5-inch unit and a fully digital 12.3-inch gauge cluster. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across the range.

Inside the Rogue, you'll find an 8.0-inch touchscreen and a small 4.3-inch digital display in the instrument cluster. Higher trim levels receive a 9.0-inch infotainment display with wireless Apple CarPlay and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. Both models offer comparable active safety and driver assistance suites, but Toyota's infotainment technology, which also includes voice command functionality, is more attractive. We've noted the Rogue's infotainment system can be laggy.

Although Nissan equips AWD versions of the 2023 Rogue with an off-road and a snow mode, its compact SUV is better suited for sticking to the pavement. Toyota offers AWD-equipped RAV4 models with its Multi-Terrain Select dial, which includes Mud, Sand, Rock and Dirt, and Snow modes. Hybrid models receive a Trail mode instead. Toyota also offers the RAV4 in either the Adventure or TRD Off-Road trims, and the RAV4 Hybrid receives the Woodland grade. None of these RAV4 variants are as capable off the beaten path as other off-road SUVs, but they have more dedicated hardware and software than the Rogue.

Toyota just barely wins this category as both the 2023 RAV4 and 2023 Rogue have good safety ratings overall. The two small SUVs were rated five stars overall from the NHTSA with four stars in the front crash test, five stars in the side crash test, and four stars in the rollover evaluation. The IIHS gave both vehicles its Top Safety Pick award, with near-identical crashworthiness scores in every category. The 2023 Nissan Rogue falls short in the updated moderate overlap test with a Marginal rating, the second poorest score out of four. The 2023 Toyota RAV4 received the second-highest score of Acceptable.

As of this writing, the Nissan Rogue starts at $29,095 while the Toyota RAV4 starts at $28,310. The price difference widens at the top trim level for both models: A 2023 Nissan Rogue Platinum starts at $38,675 while the 2023 Toyota RAV4 Limited undercuts it at $37,235. Nissan equips the Rogue with standard automatic on-off LED headlights, keyless entry, and an electronic parking brake. It offers powered, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, remote engine start, a hands-free power liftgate, and a 360-degree camera system at the mid-level. At the top of the range, the Rogue comes with heated second-row seats, a 10-speaker audio setup, and a wireless charging pad. We feel the Rogue's price represents a strong feature-per-dollar value as it has more refined road manners, a better-tuned drivetrain, and a premium-feeling interior loaded with features.

Although the 2023 Toyota RAV4 has a lot of compelling attributes, the 2023 Nissan Rogue offers a more complete package. It's our top-ranked compact SUV for its powerful and efficient drivetrain, spacious and well-equipped interior, and value-laden features. Nissan's offering proved its mettle in our seven-way compact SUV showdown, taking the win in the big comparison test. The Rogue may be an underdog, but we're rooting for it this time around.

2023 Nissan Rogue Advantages

2023 Toyota RAV4 Advantages