When it comes to choosing a compact SUV, the 2023 Volkswagen Taos and Nissan Rogue stand out as top contenders in the market. Both vehicles offer a blend of style, performance, and advanced features, making it a challenge for potential buyers to decide between the two.
In this comprehensive comparison, we aim to provide you with a detailed analysis of both the Taos and Rogue, shedding light on their strengths and differences. Our goal is to help you make an informed decision and find the perfect compact SUV that caters to your unique preferences and requirements.
Exterior Design
The 2023 Volkswagen Taos boasts a modern and sophisticated design that is both eye-catching and practical. The front features a bold grille flanked by sleek LED headlights, while the side profile showcases dynamic lines and a sculpted appearance. The rear of the Taos is equally striking, with LED taillights and a sporty bumper design.
The Nissan Rogue’s exterior design is a departure from its previous iterations, featuring a more aggressive and contemporary look. The front end showcases the signature V-Motion grille, complemented by sharp LED headlights and bold daytime running lights. The side profile emphasizes a floating roof design and clean lines, while the rear boasts a sleek and modern look with slim LED taillights and an integrated spoiler.
Interior Design
Inside the Volkswagen Taos, you will find a well-crafted and spacious cabin with high-quality materials and a minimalist design. The dashboard is laid out with a driver-centric focus, featuring a digital instrument cluster and an intuitive infotainment system. Ambient lighting adds a touch of sophistication, while available leatherette seating surfaces and brushed metal accents elevate the overall experience.
The Nissan Rogue offers an equally impressive interior design, boasting a modern and upscale cabin filled with soft-touch materials and stylish accents. The dashboard features a sleek layout, with a digital driver’s display and a large infotainment screen taking center stage. Available features such as quilted leather seats, a panoramic sunroof, and ambient lighting further enhance the Rogue’s premium feel.
Seating
The Volkswagen Taos comfortably seats up to five passengers, offering ample headroom and legroom for both front and rear occupants. The seats are supportive and comfortable, with available upgrades such as heated and ventilated front seats, a power driver’s seat, and leatherette upholstery.
The Nissan Rogue also provides seating for up to five passengers, with spacious accommodations for all occupants. The Rogue’s seats are plush and supportive, with available features such as heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and memory functions for the driver’s seat. Premium materials like leather upholstery and semi-aniline leather seats are available in higher trims.
Storage
The Taos offers a generous amount of cargo space, boasting 28.1 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 66.3 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. This makes it a practical choice for those who need ample storage for their daily commute or weekend adventures.
The Nissan Rogue features a similar amount of cargo space, with 31.6 cubic feet of storage behind the rear seats and 65 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. The Rogue also offers a unique Divide-N-Hide cargo system, allowing for versatile and customizable storage options.
Performance
The Taos is powered by a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 158 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. This engine is paired with either a front-wheel-drive (FWD) system and an 8-speed automatic transmission, or an all-wheel-drive (AWD) system with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The Taos delivers a smooth and engaging driving experience, with responsive handling and a comfortable ride.
The Rogue comes equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that generates 181 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque. This engine is mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and is available in either FWD or AWD configurations. The Rogue offers a refined driving experience with well-tuned suspension and steering, providing a comfortable and composed ride.
Fuel Efficiency
The Volkswagen Taos delivers impressive fuel efficiency for its class. The FWD model achieves an estimated 28 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway, while the AWD variant offers 25 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway.
The Nissan Rogue also boasts commendable fuel efficiency, with the FWD model achieving an estimated 27 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway. The AWD version provides slightly lower numbers at 26 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway.
Safety
The Taos comes standard with an array of safety features, including forward collision warning with autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Additional available safety features include adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high-beam headlights.
The Rogue is equipped with the standard Nissan Safety Shield 360, which includes forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, and high-beam assist. Higher trims offer additional safety features such as ProPILOT Assist, which combines adaptive cruise control with steering assist, and a 360-degree surround-view camera.
Trim Levels
The Volkswagen Taos is available in three trim levels: S, SE, and SEL. Each trim offers a range of standard and optional features, allowing buyers to find the perfect balance of amenities and budget.
The Nissan Rogue comes in four trim levels: S, SV, SL, and Platinum. Each trim offers an array of standard features and available options, catering to different preferences and budgets.
Pricing
The 2023 Volkswagen Taos starts at a base price of around $24,000 for the S trim, with the SE and SEL trims ranging from around $28,000 to $32,000, depending on options and packages.
The 2023 Nissan Rogue’s base S trim starts at approximately $26,000, while the higher trims such as the SV, SL, and Platinum range from around $28,000 to $36,000, depending on selected features and packages.
Key Differences
Cargo Space:
The Rogue offers slightly more cargo space behind the rear seats, with 31.6 cubic feet compared to the Taos’ 28.1 cubic feet. However, with the rear seats folded down, the Taos provides marginally more space, offering 66.3 cubic feet compared to the Rogue’s 65 cubic feet.
Performance:
The Rogue’s engine delivers more horsepower (181 hp) than the Taos’ engine (158 hp). However, the Taos offers a more engaging driving experience with its 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission on the AWD model, while the Rogue features a continuously variable transmission (CVT).
Fuel Efficiency:
The Taos has a slight advantage in fuel efficiency, with the FWD model achieving 28 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway, compared to the Rogue’s 27 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway.
Safety Features:
Both vehicles come with a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, but the Rogue offers additional options like ProPILOT Assist and a 360-degree surround-view camera in higher trims, which are not available in the Taos.
Pricing:
The Taos has a lower starting price at around $24,000 for the base S trim, whereas the Rogue’s base S trim starts at approximately $26,000. This makes the Taos the more budget-friendly option by a small but yet significant margin.
Final Thoughts
After a thorough comparison of the 2023 Volkswagen Taos and Nissan Rogue, it is evident that both compact SUVs have a lot to offer in terms of design, performance, and features. While each vehicle has its unique strengths, the choice ultimately comes down to personal preferences and priorities.
By considering the key differences and similarities between the Taos and Rogue, you can determine which compact SUV best aligns with your lifestyle, needs, and budget. No matter which vehicle you choose, rest assured that both the 2023 Volkswagen Taos and Nissan Rogue are solid choices in the competitive compact SUV segment.
Features Breakdown
Volkswagen Taos Features:
- Exterior Design:
- Modern and sophisticated design
- Bold front grille with sleek LED headlights
- Sculpted side profile
- Sporty rear bumper and LED taillights
- Interior Design:
- Spacious and well-crafted cabin
- High-quality materials and minimalist design
- Driver-centric dashboard with digital instrument cluster
- Available leatherette seating surfaces and brushed metal accents
- Seating:
- Comfortable seating for up to five passengers
- Ample headroom and legroom for front and rear occupants
- Optional heated and ventilated front seats, power driver’s seat, and leatherette upholstery
- Storage:
- 28.1 cubic feet of cargo space behind rear seats
- 66.3 cubic feet with rear seats folded down
- Performance:
- 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine (158 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque)
- FWD with 8-speed automatic transmission or AWD with 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission
- Smooth and engaging driving experience
- Fuel Efficiency:
- FWD: 28 mpg city / 36 mpg highway
- AWD: 25 mpg city / 32 mpg highway
- Safety Features:
- Standard forward collision warning, autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert
- Optional adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high-beam headlights
- Trim Levels:
- S, SE, and SEL
- Pricing:
- S trim: starting around $24,000
- SE and SEL trims: ranging from around $28,000 to $32,000
Nissan Rogue Features:
- Exterior Design:
- Aggressive and contemporary design
- V-Motion grille with sharp LED headlights
- Floating roof design and clean side profile lines
- Sleek rear with slim LED taillights and integrated spoiler
- Interior Design:
- Modern and upscale cabin
- Soft-touch materials and stylish accents
- Sleek dashboard with digital driver’s display and large infotainment screen
- Optional quilted leather seats, panoramic sunroof, and ambient lighting
- Seating:
- Plush and supportive seating for up to five passengers
- Spacious accommodations for all occupants
- Optional heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and memory functions for driver’s seat
- Storage:
- 31.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind rear seats
- 65 cubic feet with rear seats folded down
- Unique Divide-N-Hide cargo system
- Performance:
- 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine (181 hp and 181 lb-ft of torque)
- FWD or AWD with continuously variable transmission (CVT)
- Refined driving experience with well-tuned suspension and steering
- Fuel Efficiency:
- FWD: 27 mpg city / 35 mpg highway
- AWD: 26 mpg city / 33 mpg highway
- Safety Features:
- Standard Nissan Safety Shield 360: forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, and high-beam assist
- Optional ProPILOT Assist and 360-degree surround-view camera
- Trim Levels:
- S, SV, SL, and Platinum
- Pricing:
- S trim: starting around $26,000
- SV, SL, and Platinum trims: ranging from around $28,000 to $36,000
