2023 Nissan Rogue vs 2023 Volkswagen Taos

The 2023 Volkswagen Taos, exclusive to North America, was designed for broad appeal and affordability while maximizing passenger comfort and utility. In its debut year, the Taos became Volkswagen’s third-best selling model in the U.S., surpassing the Jetta by a significant margin. The 2023 Taos ranged in price from $24,155 to $34,535, excluding a $1,235 destination charge, and was available in S, SE, and SEL trims with either FWD or 4Motion AWD. The SEL trim, priced at $35,830 with destination, featured bold 19-inch alloy wheels, Cornflower Blue paint, and a premium interior that resembled a cut-rate Audi. The Taos offered nearly as much interior space as the larger Tiguan, making it one of the roomiest small crossover SUVs available.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue, a staple in Nissan’s lineup, featured proper proportions and rugged styling. The Rogue was available in S, SV, SL, and Platinum trims, with prices ranging from $27,360 to $37,140, plus a $1,295 destination charge. The Platinum trim, with a Premium package and additional options, brought the MSRP to $43,100. This trim level offered upscale features like diamond-pattern leather seats and soft-touch materials, rivaling entry-level luxury SUVs. The Rogue’s design and features made it an appealing choice for those seeking a stylish and comfortable compact SUV.

The 2023 Volkswagen Taos was powered by a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 158 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. FWD models came with an eight-speed automatic transmission, while AWD models featured a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. The Taos offered up to five driving modes and additional settings for the 4Motion AWD system. However, the powertrain response was unpredictable, with occasional surges of torque and delays in response. The dual-clutch transmission exhibited halting behavior, making smooth driving a challenge. Despite these quirks, the Taos SEL demonstrated a distinctly Germanic driving character, with firm, sure-footed handling and excellent visibility. The test vehicle averaged 26.8 mpg, slightly below the EPA rating of 28 mpg in combined driving.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue featured a new turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine with variable compression, producing 201 horsepower and 225 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a CVT, the engine powered the front wheels, with optional AWD available. The Rogue offered Eco, Auto, and Sport driving modes, with additional Off-Road and Snow modes for AWD models. The new powertrain provided responsive performance in urban and suburban settings, though it lacked passing power on the highway. The CVT’s simulated gear changes could feel dramatic, and the engine’s unusual note and vibration might be off-putting to some drivers. The test vehicle averaged 28.9 mpg, slightly below the EPA rating of 31 mpg in combined driving. The Rogue’s suspension provided a good balance of ride compliance and body control, though the steering felt lifeless.

The 2023 Volkswagen Taos offered a range of interior features depending on the trim level. The S trim had cloth seats, the SE trim featured CloudTex artificial leather, and the SEL trim boasted real leather upholstery. The SE and SEL trims included cold-weather equipment, while the SEL added rain-sensing wipers, dual-zone automatic climate control, ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The Taos provided ample rear-seat room and comfort, with generous cargo space of 27.9 cubic feet behind the back seat and 65.9 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down. AWD models had slightly reduced cargo space.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue was designed as a family car replacement, offering easy entry and exit, better visibility, and a larger cargo area. The Platinum trim featured premium semi-aniline leather upholstery, triple-zone automatic climate control, and a dual-panel panoramic sunroof. The front seats, with Nissan’s Zero Gravity design, were exceptionally comfortable, though the rear seats were less so. The Rogue provided ample storage space and a hands-free power liftgate, with up to 36.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the back seat and 74.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. The rear doors opened to a nearly 90-degree angle, making it easy to load and unload passengers.

The 2023 Volkswagen Taos came with standard digital instrumentation, with an 8-inch screen for S and SE trims and a 10.25-inch display for the SEL. Infotainment systems ranged from a basic 6.5-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth to an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, and a Beats Audio premium sound system in the SEL. However, the user experience was marred by hidden virtual controls, a cumbersome radio tuning process, and poor voice-recognition technology. Pairing a smartphone and using Apple CarPlay or Android Auto was recommended for a better experience.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue featured an older infotainment system with an 8-inch or 9-inch touchscreen, stereo volume and tuning knobs, and main menu buttons. The test vehicle had the 9-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, satellite radio, wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, NissanConnect services, and a Bose premium audio system. The voice recognition technology was unreliable, often providing incorrect or irrelevant results. The Rogue also had a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a head-up display, both of which worked well.

The 2023 Volkswagen Taos improved its standard safety features, including Front Assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The SE trim added VW’s IQ.Drive collection of ADAS, which included lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and emergency assist. The Taos also featured a post-collision automatic braking system, automatic high-beam headlights, parking sensors with automatic braking, and a road-sign recognition system. Travel Assist performed well during testing, providing smooth and accurate assistance. The Taos received decent but imperfect crash-test ratings from NHTSA and IIHS.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue came with 10 airbags, a rear-seat reminder system, and Safety Shield 360, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, rear automatic braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. Higher trims offered ProPilot Assist with Navi-link, combining adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance. ProPilot Assist worked well during testing, providing accurate and unobtrusive assistance. The Rogue earned a Top Safety Pick+ from IIHS and a five-star overall rating from NHTSA, though it received lower scores in updated small overlap and side-impact tests.