2023 Nissan Rogue vs 2023 Mazda CX-50

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 featured a mix of elegance and ruggedness that defined its visual appeal. Sporting a blunt nose, a long hood, and a rakish windshield, the CX-50's cabin was pulled back toward the rear wheels, showcasing a seductive and sleek design. Despite this sophisticated design language, the CX-50 exuded a newfound rugged charm with blistered and boxed fender swells, hefty lower body and wheel arch cladding, and standard faux front and rear skid plates that gave it a more aggressive stance.

Complementing these features were oversized air intakes and vent designs, which, rather surprisingly, managed to avoid appearing overly aggressive. Adding the black grille, mirror caps, and optional 20-inch wheels, the exterior components came together to produce an attractive vehicle. Additionally, the introduction of the CX-50 Meridian Edition, outfitted with exclusive wheels, all-terrain tires, splash guards, and a roof-mounted load platform, further cemented its rugged credentials.

Inside, the top-of-the-line CX-50 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus came with premium finishes. Dressed in black leather with caramel-colored accent stitching on the seats, dashboard, and door panels, it displayed Mazda’s driver-centric design. While the mix of analog and digital gauges added a tech-forward touch, the small, lone off-center vent in the middle of the dash seemed out of place.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue, meanwhile, stuck to more conventional aesthetics but still appealed with its balanced proportions and rugged appeal. The Rogue exhibited handsomely chiseled styling with enough SUV-like detailing to ensure it conveyed a sense of purpose. Critically, its design avoided polarizing elements, appealing to those who preferred a safe, elegant look.

Our test vehicle, the Platinum trim, sported a mix of luxury touches such as two-tone paint, frameless rearview mirror, illuminated kick plates, and diamond-patterned leather seats. The Rogue’s interior was noted for its soft-touch materials, adding to the overall sense of quality. Yet, despite these finishes matching the segment's standards, it lacked the visual excitement of the CX-50.

For performance, the 2023 Mazda CX-50 offered choices between a 2.5 S and a 2.5 Turbo variant. The 2.5 S model came with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine making 187 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. Mazda expected this base engine to yield around 27 mpg in combined driving.

Drivers seeking more power and better towing capacity up to 3,500 pounds would opt for the 2.5 Turbo. This turbocharged version delivered between 227 and 256 horsepower, depending on the octane rating of the fuel, and torque rated between 310 and 320 lb-ft. It promised a versatile and confident ride, averaging 23.4 mpg during our tests, a tad below Mazda’s projection of 25 mpg. The turbo engine delivered smooth acceleration and maintained a steady power curve, making it versatile for various driving conditions.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue came with a new 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine, replacing the older 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. With 201 horsepower and 225 lb-ft of torque, the new setup paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) equipped with paddle shifters. Despite an available AWD system, the Rogue struggled with highway passing power.

Fuel economy for the Rogue was rated at 31 mpg in combined driving by the EPA, although our test vehicle managed only 28.9 mpg. Unique features like varying driving modes and Intelligent Trace Control for improved cornering enhanced the driving experience. However, the Rogue’s CVT and noticeable engine vibrations detracted from its refinement.

For interior amenities, the 2023 Mazda CX-50’s well-equipped cabin offered power-adjustable heated front seats, heated rear seats, and a heated steering wheel. Despite these features not being necessary during our sunny California test drive, the ventilated front seats and dual-zone automatic climate control provided a comfortable environment.

Seating comfort was commendable, providing ample support for long drives, though side bolstering could have been better. The rear seats were spacious with easy ingress and egress, thanks to rear doors that opened nearly 90 degrees. However, storage options in the CX-50 were limited, with few bins for small items.

Cargo space in the CX-50 measured at 31.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to a maximum of 56.3 cubic feet with the seats folded down. This fell short compared to some competitors, hinting at a compromise due to its sleek design.

Conversely, the 2023 Nissan Rogue excelled as a family-friendly vehicle with thoughtful design elements. The Platinum trim featured amenities like triple-zone automatic climate control, a panoramic sunroof, and Zero Gravity seats purported to offer exceptional comfort. Sadly, the absence of ventilated front seats was a letdown.

Visibility in the Rogue was excellent, aided by large mirrors and thin windshield pillars. However, the odd design of the ambient lighting control button inside the center storage bin and the poorly marked remote key fob were drawbacks.

The Rogue’s rear seats, while spacious, lacked comfort due to low-mounted cushions and stiff diamond-shaped pleats. Yet, its cargo space was impressive, offering up to 36.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats. With the Divide-N-Hide cargo system, this expanded to a substantial 74.1 cubic feet, independent underfloor storage adding to the practicality.

Mazda Connect infotainment system in the 2023 CX-50 included wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, and Mazda Connected Services. While the system relied on an 8.8-inch or a 10.25-inch display (depending on the trim), historic complaints about the lack of touchscreen functionality persisted. Mazda introduced touchscreen control for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though the screen still remained distant for easy reach.

Additional tech features included an optional Bose 12-speaker premium sound system, and an Active Driving Display (head-up display) providing essential driving information, improving overall safety and convenience.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue's infotainment system, although somewhat dated, was functional. It offered an 8-inch or 9-inch touchscreen with features like Bluetooth, satellite radio, wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, and NissanConnect services. However, the Alexa Built-in system dropped the ball multiple times during testing, failing to recognize numerous commands accurately.

The Rogue’s test vehicle also included a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a head-up display, both of which performed well under testing conditions. Still, an upgrade to the newer infotainment system, as seen in the Altima sedan, would have been welcome.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue came loaded with safety features. Standard Safety Shield 360 offered forward-collision warnings, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and more. Higher trims added ProPilot Assist with Navi-link, enhancing adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance. Impressively, these systems generally performed well, despite some delays and abrupt braking.

The Rogue earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS, underlining its strong safety credentials despite less favorable scores in updated crash tests.