2024 Jeep Wrangler vs 2023 Nissan Rogue

In 2023, the Nissan Rogue offered a blend of conservative yet appealing design features. Companies usually played it safe with their best-sellers, and Nissan was no exception. The latest Rogue had proper proportions, sharply defined styling, and an adequate amount of SUV detailing to project a rugged aura. It was critical for sales, as few people bought vehicles they found unattractive.

The Rogue lineup came in S, SV, SL, and Platinum trims, with prices ranging from $27,360 to $37,140, plus a $1,295 destination charge. The SV, SL, and Platinum offered optional Premium packages, while the newly introduced Midnight Edition package was exclusive to the SV trim.

A test vehicle in Platinum trim, featuring the Premium option package, arrived with additional upgrades like AWD, two-tone paint, a frameless rearview mirror, floor mats, cargo area protector, interior accent lighting, exterior ground lighting, illuminated kick plates, and a first-aid kit, pushing its MSRP to an eyebrow-raising $43,100. This positioned it close to the entry-level Infiniti QX50, Nissan’s luxury crossover.

However, the Platinum trim's extensive list of upscale upgrades, most notably its soft, diamond-pattern leather seats, justified this price. Soft-touch materials adorned many surfaces, and the controls met the compact SUV segment’s quality standards.

Conversely, the 2024 Jeep Wrangler maintained its iconic, burly body-on-frame look, regardless of the powertrains and off-road systems underneath. Larger tires distinguished models like the new Rubicon X and Rubicon 392. The highlight was the redesigned grille, first seen on the 2023 Wrangler Rubicon 20th Anniversary edition. Wider and shorter, it improved airflow into the engine bay. The traditional antenna, prone to snagging branches when off-roading, was replaced by a windshield-integrated antenna, an ingenious design keeping foliage undisturbed. Also introduced were ten new wheel designs.

The Wrangler was the epitome of rugged adventure, offering various roof options: traditional soft-top, full hard top, retractable sunroof hard top, or power-retractable sunroof covering the entire cabin. The windshield could fold down, and the doors were removable—either fully, half, or replaced with tube doors from Mopar.

Back in 2021, the Nissan Rogue went on sale with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). By 2022, Nissan replaced this with a new turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine with the automaker’s exclusive variable compression design (VC-Turbo). This was meant to provide impressive performance and excellent fuel economy. The 1.5-liter turbocharged engine produced 201 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 225 pound-feet of torque from 2,800 rpm to 4,000 rpm. The CVT included paddle shifters and the Rogue was either front-wheel drive or had an optional AWD system. The Rogue featured Eco, Auto, and Sport driving modes, while AWD versions added Off-Road and Snow modes. Remote engine starting with climate system pre-conditioning was also available.

During tests, the new VC-Turbo powertrain proved preferable to the previous 2.5-liter engine. Despite a limited peak torque plateau, the Rogue felt responsive in urban and suburban settings. Yet, it lacked passing power on the highway. The CVT rarely drew negative attention, although its simulated gear changes sometimes felt overly dramatic. However, the engine’s sound inside the cabin and slight pedal vibrations were notable, potentially due to its three-cylinder configuration.

Fuel economy was a mixed bag. The EPA estimated 31 mpg in combined driving, but tests showed an average of 28.9 mpg. Despite this, the Rogue’s handling was solid, with Intelligent Trace Control maintaining cornering lines and Active Ride Control ensuring a smooth ride. The strut-type front and multi-link rear suspension, accompanied by large 19-inch alloy wheels, handled speed humps and sharper bumps well, though undulating pavements caused more lateral and vertical body motion. The steering, despite its lifeless feel, permitted a generally secure, consistent handling experience.

For the 2024 Jeep Wrangler, powertrain options were diverse. It could be equipped with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine offering 270 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, the same engine in a plug-in hybrid form with 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque, a 3.6-liter naturally aspirated V6 delivering 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, or a 6.4-liter V8 producing 470 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque.

Different transfer cases catered to varying off-road capabilities. Simple 4WD systems like the Command-Trac in Sport- and Sahara-trim Wranglers were adequate for looks, offering low-range 4WD without locking differentials. The Wrangler 392, with a full-time 4WD Selec-Trac system, suited speed enthusiasts. The Rubicon trim came with the Rock-Trac transfer case, available in part-time or full-time 4WD. An eight-speed automatic transmission was standard in most models, but a six-speed manual was available with the 3.6-liter engine.

The Wrangler 4xe PHEV stood out, combining the 2.0-liter turbo engine with two electric motors and a battery, offering 21 miles of all-electric range and excellent power. During tests, the 4xe Rubicon with front and rear locking differentials and an Offroad+ button, new for 2024, proved highly capable. Solid front and rear axles provided ample articulation, while BF Goodrich KO2 tires offered excellent off-road grip. The Willys trim, with new standard features like Offroad+, 33-inch tires, a rear locking differential, and rock rails, was a great mid-tier option.

However, the Wrangler's on-road ride quality suffered due to the solid front axle, producing a bumpy ride and vague steering. Yet, the addition of sound-deadening material reduced cabin noise significantly. Jeep also introduced an optional WARN winch for the Rubicon models, featuring an 8,000-pound capacity and 90 feet of synthetic line.

Compact SUVs like the 2023 Nissan Rogue were popular alternatives to midsize cars, offering better ground clearance, AWD options, larger cargo areas, and improved visibility. The Rogue, replacing traditional family cars, comfortably fit four people, squeezing in a fifth if necessary. The Platinum test vehicle was heavily equipped, with features like triple-zone automatic climate control, a dual-panel panoramic sunroof, power-adjustable front seats with semi-aniline leather upholstery, all heated, though lacking ventilated seats.

Nissan's Zero Gravity front seats added comfort, though the front passenger seat lacked height adjustment. Large side mirrors and thin windshield pillars improved visibility, but the ambient lighting control button was inconveniently placed inside the center armrest storage bin. The key fob’s design was also inconvenient, making it difficult to see or feel the buttons.

Rear doors opened to nearly 90 degrees, easing loading and unloading. The rear seat, however, was less comfortable, with low-mounted bottom cushions and uncomfortable diamond-shaped pleats. Despite plentiful storage, the unlined compartments could cause noise. The Rogue's cargo area offered 36.5 cubic feet of space and featured the Divide-N-Hide system, providing six configurations. With the rear seats folded, cargo space extended to 74.1 cubic feet, including underfloor storage.

The 2024 Jeep Wrangler introduced an upgraded towing capacity, up to 5,000 pounds for four-door Rubicon models with gas-powered 2.0-liter or 3.6-liter engines, automatic transmission, and 33-inch tires. This was a significant improvement over the previous 3,500-pound limit. Inside, the Wrangler could be equipped with heated seats and steering wheel, new 12-way power-adjustable front seats, and a 30-amp Power Box on the 4xe, running off the 17.3-kWh battery to power accessories.

Nissan's 2023 Rogue featured an older infotainment system, with either an 8-inch or optional 9-inch touchscreen, volume and tuning knobs, and accessible menu buttons. The test vehicle had the 9-inch screen, Bluetooth, satellite radio, wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, NissanConnect services with a Wi-Fi hotspot, a navigation system with door-to-door function via a smartphone app, a wireless charging pad, and a Bose premium audio system. Alexa Built-in was new but had poor performance during tests, failing to accurately respond to voice commands for simple tasks.

Additionally, the test vehicle had a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a head-up display (HUD), which worked well, although testing conditions precluded assessment with polarized sunglasses.

For 2024, Jeep upgraded the Wrangler with a 12.3-inch infotainment screen running Uconnect5, standard across all models. The new system offered cleaner graphics, an easier interface, and faster speed, especially for Off-Road Pages. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with multiple USB-A and -C ports.

The new system included Trails Offroad, a guide to over 200 trails, with descriptions and difficulty ratings. A subscription for $39.99 per year provided access to 3,000 trails. Users could record trails, add waypoints, and share files via USB. Other new features included a wireless hotspot, dual Bluetooth phone pairing, and storage for up to five user profiles.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue came equipped with extensive safety features. Standard were 10 airbags, a rear-seat reminder system, and Safety Shield 360, encompassing forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, rear automatic braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams. Higher trims offered ProPilot Assist with Navi-link, combining adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance.

Testing ProPilot Assist in Los Angeles showed its efficacy, although initial activation was slow. The lane-centering technology operated smoothly without causing driver irritation, and the acceleration during lane changes was commendable. ProPilot Assist's visual confirmations were clear, though its braking could be abrupt.

The 2023 Rogue earned a Top Safety Pick+ from IIHS for 2022, despite earning Marginal and Acceptable scores in certain updated tests. NHTSA rated it five stars overall, with four stars for frontal-impact collisions.

The 2024 Jeep Wrangler finally integrated first- and second-row side-curtain airbags. Forward collision warning was standard on all but the base model, though most advanced driver aids were optional. The Wrangler lacked lane-keeping and highway assist features.

NHTSA and IIHS had not rated the 2024 Wrangler, but the 2023 model received four out of five stars for frontal crash protection and three for rollover protection. IIHS rated the four-door Wrangler "Good" for roof strength and head restraints but "Moderate" for frontal and side crashes. These ratings were expected to improve with the addition of side-curtain airbags.