The crossover SUV segment has grown increasingly popular in recent years, offering drivers the perfect blend of practicality, versatility, and style. Two leading contenders in this space, the 2023 Nissan Rogue and Subaru Outback, have caught the attention of buyers for their unique attributes and features.
In this detailed comparison, we’ll delve deep into the world of these two vehicles, highlighting their differences and strengths to help you make an informed decision about which one might be the perfect fit for your needs.
Exterior Design
The 2023 Nissan Rogue sports a bold and sleek design, characterized by its V-Motion grille, aggressive LED headlights, and distinctive floating roofline. The Rogue’s sharp lines and dynamic profile give it a modern, athletic appearance, making it an eye-catching presence on the road.
The 2023 Subaru Outback features a rugged, yet refined design with its hexagonal grille, angular LED headlights, and muscular wheel arches. Its distinctive cladding and elevated ground clearance give the Outback a more off-road-ready appearance, emphasizing its adventurous capabilities.
Interior Design
Inside the Rogue, you’ll find a modern and stylish cabin, featuring soft-touch materials, ambient lighting, and a well-organized dashboard. The Rogue’s interior design emphasizes comfort and technology, with user-friendly infotainment controls and a high-quality digital instrument cluster.
The Outback’s interior is built for practicality and durability, featuring water-repellent upholstery and rugged materials. Its dashboard layout is straightforward and functional, with an emphasis on usability and comfort during long trips and off-road adventures.
Seating
The Rogue can comfortably seat up to five passengers, with ample headroom and legroom in both the front and rear seats. Its Zero Gravity seats provide excellent support, ensuring a comfortable ride during long drives. The available heated front and rear seats, as well as ventilated front seats, add to the overall comfort level.
Like the Rogue, the Outback also seats five passengers with plenty of room to stretch out. Its seats are designed for comfort and support, featuring available heated front and rear seats, as well as ventilated front seats. Additionally, the Outback offers a more elevated seating position, providing better visibility for the driver.
Storage
The Rogue boasts a generous cargo area, offering 36.5 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats and 74.1 cubic feet when the second row is folded down. Its Divide-N-Hide cargo system allows for multiple storage configurations, providing versatility for various cargo needs.
The Outback offers slightly more cargo space, with 32.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 75.7 cubic feet when the second row is folded down. Its wide, flat load floor and integrated roof rails make it an ideal choice for outdoor enthusiasts who need extra space for gear and equipment.
Performance
The Rogue is powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 181 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque. It comes with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and front-wheel drive as standard, with optional all-wheel drive. The Rogue offers a smooth, comfortable ride and predictable handling, making it well-suited for daily commutes and road trips.
The Outback comes standard with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, generating 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque. It features a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system as standard.
For those seeking more power, the Outback offers an optional 2.4-liter turbocharged engine, delivering 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. With its all-wheel drive system and higher ground clearance, the Outback is better equipped for off-road adventures and challenging terrain.
Fuel Efficiency
The Rogue boasts impressive fuel efficiency, with EPA-estimated ratings of 27 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway for the front-wheel-drive models. Opting for the all-wheel-drive version results in a slight decrease, with ratings of 26 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway.
The Outback’s fuel efficiency is also commendable, with EPA-estimated ratings of 26 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway for the base 2.5-liter engine. The more powerful 2.4-liter turbocharged engine offers slightly lower ratings of 23 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway.
Safety
The Rogue comes standard with Nissan’s Safety Shield 360, which includes features such as automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot warning, lane departure warning, and high beam assist. It also offers available ProPILOT Assist, a semi-autonomous driving system that helps with steering, acceleration, and braking.
The Outback is equipped with Subaru’s EyeSight Driver Assist Technology as standard, featuring adaptive cruise control, pre-collision braking, lane departure warning, and lane-keep assist. Optional safety features include blind-spot detection, rear cross-traffic alert, and reverse automatic braking. The Outback has a reputation for its robust safety features and strong crash test ratings.
Trim Levels
The Rogue is available in four trim levels: S, SV, SL, and Platinum. Each trim offers a range of standard and available features, catering to different budgets and preferences. The base S trim is well-equipped, while the top-of-the-line Platinum trim offers premium amenities such as leather upholstery, a head-up display, and wireless device charging.
The Outback comes in six trim levels: Base, Premium, Limited, Touring, Onyx Edition XT, and Wilderness. The base trim offers a solid list of standard features, while the range-topping Wilderness trim boasts off-road enhancements, such as a raised suspension, all-terrain tires, and unique exterior styling.
Pricing
The 2023 Nissan Rogue starts at $26,050 for the base S trim and goes up to $36,500 for the Platinum trim. Each trim level offers various options and packages, allowing for customization based on individual needs and budgets.
The 2023 Subaru Outback has a starting price of $27,000 for the base trim, with the top-tier Wilderness trim starting at $38,120. As with the Rogue, the Outback’s trim levels provide a range of features and options to suit different preferences and budgets.
Key Differences
While the 2023 Nissan Rogue and Subaru Outback share some similarities as popular crossover SUVs, there are key differences between the two models that can help potential buyers decide which vehicle best suits their needs.
Off-Road Prowess:
The Subaru Outback comes standard with Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system, higher ground clearance, and available off-road-focused Wilderness trim, making it better equipped for tackling challenging terrain and off-road adventures. The Nissan Rogue, while offering optional all-wheel drive, is more suited for daily commutes and road trips on paved surfaces.
Cargo Space:
The Subaru Outback offers a bit more cargo space than the Nissan Rogue, with 32.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 75.7 cubic feet with the second row folded down. The Rogue provides 36.5 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats and 74.1 cubic feet when the second row is folded down.
Trim Levels:
The Subaru Outback is available in six trim levels, including the off-road-oriented Wilderness trim, which features a raised suspension, all-terrain tires, and unique exterior styling. The Nissan Rogue comes in four trim levels, with the top-of-the-line Platinum trim offering premium amenities, such as leather upholstery, a head-up display, and wireless device charging.
Engine Options:
The Subaru Outback offers a more powerful engine option in the form of a 2.4-liter turbocharged engine, producing 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. The Nissan Rogue, on the other hand, has only one engine choice, a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 181 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque.
Final Thoughts
The Rogue’s modern design, fuel efficiency, and comfortable ride make it an excellent choice for those seeking a stylish, city-oriented SUV. Meanwhile, the Outback’s rugged appearance, off-road capabilities, and additional cargo space cater to adventurous drivers who require a vehicle that can handle both daily driving and weekend getaways.
By considering your lifestyle, budget, and specific requirements, you’ll be better equipped to select the crossover SUV that checks all the right boxes for you.
Features Breakdown
2023 Nissan Rogue:
- Exterior Design:
- Bold, sleek design
- V-Motion grille
- Aggressive LED headlights
- Floating roofline
- Interior Design:
- Modern, stylish cabin
- Soft-touch materials
- Ambient lighting
- Well-organized dashboard
- Seating:
- Comfortable seating for five passengers
- Zero Gravity seats
- Optional heated and ventilated front seats
- Optional heated rear seats
- Storage:
- 36.5 cubic feet of cargo space (rear seats up)
- 74.1 cubic feet of cargo space (rear seats folded)
- Divide-N-Hide cargo system
- Performance:
- 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine (181 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque)
- Continuously variable transmission (CVT)
- Optional all-wheel drive
- Fuel Efficiency:
- FWD: 27 mpg city / 35 mpg highway
- AWD: 26 mpg city / 33 mpg highway
- Safety:
- Nissan Safety Shield 360
- Optional ProPILOT Assist
- Trim Levels:
- S, SV, SL, Platinum
- Pricing:
- Base S trim: $26,050
- Top-tier Platinum trim: $36,500
2023 Subaru Outback:
- Exterior Design:
- Rugged, refined design
- Hexagonal grille
- Angular LED headlights
- Muscular wheel arches
- Interior Design:
- Functional, durable cabin
- Water-repellent upholstery
- Rugged materials
- Straightforward dashboard layout
- Seating:
- Comfortable seating for five passengers
- Elevated seating position
- Optional heated and ventilated front seats
- Optional heated rear seats
- Storage:
- 32.5 cubic feet of cargo space (rear seats up)
- 75.7 cubic feet of cargo space (rear seats folded)
- Wide, flat load floor
- Integrated roof rails
- Performance:
- 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine (182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque)
- Optional 2.4-liter turbocharged engine (260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque)
- Continuously variable transmission (CVT)
- Standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel Efficiency:
- Base engine: 26 mpg city / 33 mpg highway
- Turbocharged engine: 23 mpg city / 30 mpg highway
- Safety:
- Subaru EyeSight Driver Assist Technology
- Optional blind-spot detection, rear cross-traffic alert, and reverse automatic braking
- Trim Levels:
- Base, Premium, Limited, Touring, Onyx Edition XT, Wilderness
- Pricing:
- Base trim: $27,000
- Top-tier Wilderness trim: $38,120
