2024 Nissan Rogue vs 2024 Volvo XC90

Volvo sold the 2024 XC90 in three distinct series: B5, B6, and Recharge T8. The XC90 B5 came with a turbocharged mild-hybrid four-cylinder engine, while the B6 variant added a supercharger to that engine for enhanced performance. The Recharge T8 was a plug-in hybrid that offered the highest performance and efficiency, including an estimated 32 miles of electric-only range. Every model in the XC90 range came with standard all-wheel drive (AWD).

Volvo presented the XC90 in Core, Plus, and Ultimate trim levels, with prices spanning from $56,000 to $79,600, excluding the $1,195 destination charge. Our test vehicle was the XC90 Recharge T8 in the Ultimate trim, boasting seven-passenger seating. It included the Lounge Package, which featured massaging front seats and a premium headliner. It also came equipped with an active air suspension, a high-end Bowers & Wilkins audio system, and a trailer hitch with a 5,000-pound towing capacity. The MSRP was $89,145, including destination charges.

Volvo perfected the use of color and materials, offering a subdued yet elegant exterior palette that aligned perfectly with a luxury SUV focused on practicality, safety, and sustainability. Wheel designs ranging up to 21 inches in diameter were available, and most models featured a Bright theme with chrome and polished metal, providing a stark contrast to the overdone blacked-out trend. Despite a somewhat dated interior design, the XC90’s cabin was filled with luxurious materials, especially in the Ultimate trim. Buyers could choose between wool-blend upholstery or ventilated Nappa leather in various colors. The cabin’s sophistication was further enhanced by an Orrefors crystal shift knob and natural wood trim. Volvo also allowed buyers to mix and match exterior colors, wheel designs, and upholstery options, a level of customization that some rivals did not offer.

For the 2024 model year, the Nissan Rogue received its first significant styling update since the 2021 model launch. The lineup included the S, SV, SL, and Platinum trims. The Rogue featured a new, larger grille that blended nicely with its stacked headlights and daytime running lights, distinct features of the Rogue. The rear fascia was redesigned, predominantly noticeable with updated inner taillight elements. The exterior included satin-finish badging, a new 18-inch wheel design for the SV trim, and a 19-inch wheel design for the Platinum grade. The Platinum trim also featured more black exterior trim and an optional black roof.

Nissan also revamped the dashboard to accommodate a new 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, giving the Rogue a more premium feel. The Rogue SV gained new materials across various interior surfaces, including door panels, seats, center console, and dashboard. Most models now featured dual-zone automatic climate control.

Our Rogue Platinum test car featured a luxurious interior that justified its place as the highest trim level. The Platinum trim came with leather seats, now available in a new Chestnut brown color with quilted stitching. Unlike some rivals, the Rogue’s leather didn’t feel cheap or out of place within its well-appointed cabin.

The 2024 XC90 Recharge T8 combined an 18.8-kilowatt-hour battery and a 107-kilowatt electric motor with the B6 model’s supercharged and turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. Together, these elements produced an impressive 455 horsepower and 523 lb-ft of torque, channeled to all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission.

This setup allowed for 32 miles of electric-only driving in Pure mode before the gasoline engine took over, with an average of 27 mpg in hybrid mode. In Power mode, the XC90 could accelerate from zero to 60 mph in approximately five seconds. Recharging the battery took around 12 hours using a standard household outlet or less than half that time with a 240-volt, 16-amp outlet. It offered several driving modes, including Pure, Power, Hybrid, and Constant AWD. Additionally, the Charge mode could recharge the battery during driving, while Hold and Auto modes managed battery use efficiently.

On a hot testing day, with temperatures in the mid-90s, the XC90 Recharge T8 achieved 28 miles in Pure mode, short of the indicated 33 miles, and averaged 24.5 mpg in combined driving, falling below the EPA’s 27 mpg rating. However, during a week of typical suburban driving, the XC90 performed nearly all near-to-home trips on electricity alone, with minimal fuel usage.

As the battery waned, the SUV’s electric performance decreased, requiring gentle acceleration to avoid triggering the gas engine. Once the gasoline engine activated, the vehicle delivered ample power and a pleasing auditory experience. However, the XC90 favored luxury over performance. While its grip was impressive, the handling, ride quality, and cabin hush did not meet the high expectations set by its price.

The 2024 Nissan Rogue featured an innovative 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine. Despite having one less cylinder than most competitors, it utilized Nissan’s VC-Turbo technology to vary its compression ratio, balancing power and fuel economy. This engine produced 201 horsepower and 225 lb-ft of torque, outmuscling several rivals.

However, the continuously variable transmission (CVT) did not enhance the driving experience, as it was often slow to deliver power. The Rogue came standard with front-wheel drive, with all-wheel drive available as an option.

Despite its robust engine performance, the Rogue was less impressive in other areas. The suspension felt firmer than rivals’ without offering improved handling; it did not corner with the agility expected from a vehicle in its class. Still, the ride was notably quiet.

Even in its Core trim, the XC90 Recharge T8 came well-equipped, featuring power-adjustable and heated front seats, leather upholstery, wood trim, and a four-zone climate control system with PM2.5 air purification. A panoramic glass roof with a one-touch swipe control for the sunshade added a bright, airy feel. Higher trims like the Plus and Ultimate added a heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, ventilated front seats with massage, upgraded lighting, and an integrated booster child seat. The adjustable lower leg support bolsters on the front seats offered additional comfort but could catch on clothing while entering.

Once you adapted to the seat adjustments, the XC90 provided exceptional comfort and a commanding driving position with excellent visibility. The climate control struggled on hot days, especially in Pure mode, but adjusted after switching to hybrid mode.

The XC90 could seat up to seven passengers with an option to replace the second-row bench with captain’s chairs. Access to the third row was tight for adults, but the space was more adequate than expected. The XC90 offered 65.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the third row folded and up to 85.7 cubic feet with both the second and third rows down.

The Rogue’s interior was competitive within the compact crossover segment, offering nearly identical passenger space to rivals like the Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson, Subaru Forester, and Toyota RAV4, with slight differences in legroom. The Rogue offered 36.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 74.1 cubic feet with them folded. While it offered less space than the CR-V and Tucson, it provided more than the Forester.

Nissan offered the Divide-N-Hide cargo system, allowing drivers to choose between a flat cargo floor with hidden storage or a lower floor for increased cargo height. The cargo area included a space for grocery bags and optional features like a power liftgate and a motion-activated liftgate.

The front center console featured a pass-through storage space, although it was somewhat awkward to reach. The tall console design left room for additional floor-level storage but posed a risk of items being forgotten.

The 2024 XC90 was equipped with a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring Google Built-in technology. This included Google Maps, Google Play, and the Google Assistant voice recognition tool, provided free for four years. Apple CarPlay and SiriusXM satellite radio were also standard, with the latter free for the first three months.

Customers could opt for a 14-speaker Harman Kardon sound system or an impressive 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system with various mode settings. Despite its small size, the 9-inch touchscreen was user-friendly and intuitively located.

The XC90 also included a 12-inch digital instrument panel and optional head-up display and surround-view camera, enhancing the vehicle’s comprehensive technology suite.

The 2024 Nissan Rogue featured an 8-inch touchscreen on the S and SV trims, with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. SL and Platinum trims upgraded to a larger 12.3-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Amazon Alexa, and Google built-in apps.

The Rogue was the first Nissan model to integrate Google built-in, offering free connectivity for five years. This included features like Google Maps, Google Assistant, and the Play store. While this setup intended to streamline connectivity, Apple users might find it less beneficial.

SL and Platinum trims also came with multiple USB-C ports, a wireless charging pad, and enhanced connectivity options. Nissan extended its free trial period for Nissan Connect Services to three years, offering features like remote door lock/unlock, engine start/stop, vehicle health reports, and emergency calling.

Volvo, synonymous with safety, upheld its reputation with the 2024 XC90. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded it five stars in every category except rollover resistance (four stars). The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) named it a Top Safety Pick+ for 2023. However, the XC90’s advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) didn’t lead the industry. The SUV included standard safety features and unique offerings like a large-animal detection system. Its Pilot Assist system, which combined adaptive cruise control with lane-centering, performed well but faltered under certain conditions, eroding confidence in its reliability.

The 2024 Rogue received strong safety ratings from the IIHS, earning top “Good” ratings in multiple crash tests and a “Good” headlight rating. The NHTSA awarded it a five-star overall safety rating, with high marks in side and frontal crash tests and four stars in rollover tests. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, and rear automatic emergency braking. Higher trims offered ProPilot Assist, a more advanced driver assistance system that added lane centering and navigation integration.