Suv showdown: nissan rogue vs. subaru forester – which reigns supreme?

In the competitive automotive landscape, compact SUVs have emerged as versatile and sought-after vehicles, catering to a wide range of lifestyles. Two prominent players in this segment are the Nissan Rogue and the Subaru Forester, each boasting unique strengths and capabilities. This comprehensive comparison pits the Nissan Rogue against the Subaru Forester, examining their performance, features, safety, and more, to determine which one reigns supreme in the realm of compact SUVs.

Performance: Powertrain and Drivability

Nissan Rogue:

• Standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 181 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque
• Optional 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 248 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque
• Available all-wheel drive (AWD) system

Subaru Forester:

• Standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque
• Optional 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque
• Symmetrical all-wheel drive system standard on all models

In terms of power, both the Rogue and Forester offer comparable performance with their standard engines. However, the Rogue’s optional turbocharged engine provides a significant boost in both horsepower and torque, making it the more potent choice for those seeking spirited driving dynamics. The Forester’s standard all-wheel drive system gives it an advantage in off-road situations and inclement weather conditions.

Features: Technology and Convenience

Nissan Rogue:

• Standard infotainment system with 8-inch touchscreen
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration
• Available 9-inch touchscreen with navigation
• ProPILOT Assist semi-autonomous driving system

Subaru Forester:

• Standard infotainment system with 6.5-inch touchscreen
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration
• Available 8-inch touchscreen with navigation
• EyeSight Driver Assist Technology suite

The Rogue’s infotainment system offers a larger standard touchscreen and an available 9-inch display, providing a more immersive user experience. It also features Nissan’s ProPILOT Assist system, which provides lane centering and adaptive cruise control for enhanced driving comfort. The Forester’s EyeSight Driver Assist Technology suite includes adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and automatic emergency braking, enhancing safety and reducing driver fatigue.

Safety: Crashworthiness and Driver Aids

Nissan Rogue:

• Received a five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
• Standard automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection
• Available blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert

Subaru Forester:

• Received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA
• Standard EyeSight Driver Assist Technology suite
• Available blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert

Both the Rogue and Forester have achieved the highest safety rating from the NHTSA. The Rogue comes standard with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection, while the Forester’s EyeSight system includes a wider range of driver assistance features. Both vehicles offer optional blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert to enhance situational awareness.

Interior: Space and Comfort

Nissan Rogue:

• Offers more passenger and cargo space than the Forester
• Comfortable and supportive seats
• Available heated and ventilated front seats

Subaru Forester:

• Slightly less spacious than the Rogue, but still offers ample room for passengers and cargo
• Rear seats offer more legroom than the Rogue
• Available heated steering wheel

The Rogue provides a more spacious interior, with more headroom and legroom for passengers in both rows. It also offers a larger cargo area than the Forester. Both vehicles feature comfortable seats, but the Rogue’s available heated and ventilated front seats provide an extra level of comfort. The Forester’s heated steering wheel is a unique feature that enhances driver comfort during cold weather.

Fuel Economy: Efficiency and Range

Nissan Rogue:

• Front-wheel drive (FWD): 27 mpg city / 35 mpg highway
• AWD: 26 mpg city / 33 mpg highway
• Turbocharged engine: 25 mpg city / 32 mpg highway

Subaru Forester:

• FWD: 26 mpg city / 33 mpg highway
• AWD: 25 mpg city / 32 mpg highway
• Turbocharged engine: 22 mpg city / 29 mpg highway

The Rogue offers slightly better fuel economy than the Forester, particularly with its FWD configuration. The turbocharged engines in both vehicles result in lower fuel economy, but the Rogue’s turbocharged engine provides more power while still maintaining a reasonable level of efficiency.

Exterior: Design and Style

Nissan Rogue:

• Sleek and modern exterior design
• Bold grille and sharp headlights
• Available two-tone paint options

Subaru Forester:

• Rugged and adventurous exterior design
• Upright stance and protective cladding
• Available blacked-out trim package

The Rogue features a more stylish and aerodynamic exterior design, with a sloping roofline and flowing lines. The Forester, on the other hand, has a more rugged and utilitarian appearance, with a boxier shape and protective cladding. Both vehicles offer available two-tone paint options to enhance their visual appeal.

Verdict: The Ultimate Compact SUV Champion

The Nissan Rogue and Subaru Forester are both excellent compact SUVs with unique strengths and capabilities. The Rogue offers a more spacious interior, better fuel economy, and a more powerful optional engine. The Forester, however, provides a standard all-wheel drive system, a more comprehensive suite of driver assistance features, and a rugged exterior design.

Ultimately, the best choice between the Nissan Rogue and Subaru Forester depends on the individual buyer’s priorities. Those seeking a spacious, fuel-efficient, and feature-rich SUV will find the Rogue to be a compelling option. Those who prioritize off-road capabilities, safety, and a rugged aesthetic will be drawn to the Forester.

Questions We Hear a Lot

Q: Which SUV has a more powerful engine?
A: The Nissan Rogue with the optional 2.0-liter turbocharged engine produces more horsepower and torque than the Subaru Forester‘s standard or optional engines.

Q: Which SUV offers a better fuel economy?
A: The Nissan Rogue with FWD has slightly better fuel economy than the Subaru Forester with FWD. However, the Rogue’s turbocharged engine results in lower fuel economy than the Forester’s turbocharged engine.

Q: Which SUV has a more spacious interior?
A: The Nissan Rogue offers more passenger and cargo space than the Subaru Forester.

Q: Which SUV comes standard with all-wheel drive?
A: The Subaru Forester comes standard with all-wheel drive, while the Nissan Rogue offers all-wheel drive as an option.

Q: Which SUV has a more comprehensive suite of driver assistance features?
A: The Subaru Forester‘s EyeSight Driver Assist Technology suite includes a wider range of features than the Nissan Rogue‘s ProPILOT Assist system.