Which Suv Reigns Supreme: Nissan Rogue Vs Hyundai Santa Fe – Unveiling The Ultimate Choice

When it comes to selecting a compact SUV that seamlessly blends performance, comfort, and versatility, the 2023 Nissan Rogue and Hyundai Santa Fe stand out as two formidable contenders. Both vehicles offer an array of impressive features, but which one emerges as the superior choice? This comprehensive comparison delves into the intricacies of each SUV, meticulously evaluating their specifications, performance, features, and overall value to determine the ultimate victor.

Performance and Handling: Thrill vs Refinement

1. Engine and Powertrain:

• Nissan Rogue: The Rogue boasts a potent 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that generates 181 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque, paired with a refined Xtronic CVT transmission.

• Hyundai Santa Fe: The Santa Fe offers a more potent powertrain, featuring a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 277 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, coupled with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

2. Driving Dynamics:

• Nissan Rogue: The Rogue prioritizes a comfortable and composed ride, with a suspension system that effectively absorbs road imperfections. Its steering is light and responsive, making it effortless to maneuver in urban environments.

• Hyundai Santa Fe: The Santa Fe delivers a more engaging driving experience, with a firmer suspension setup that enhances handling and body control. Its steering is precise and well-weighted, providing a greater sense of connection to the road.

Interior Comfort and Convenience: Spaciousness and Amenities

1. Cabin Space and Comfort:

• Nissan Rogue: The Rogue offers a spacious cabin with ample legroom and headroom for passengers in both rows. Its seats are supportive and comfortable, even during long journeys.

• Hyundai Santa Fe: The Santa Fe boasts a slightly larger cabin, providing even more legroom and headroom. Its seats are equally comfortable, with available features like heated and ventilated front seats enhancing the overall comfort level.

2. Infotainment and Technology:

• Nissan Rogue: The Rogue comes equipped with an intuitive infotainment system featuring an 8-inch touchscreen display, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a premium Bose audio system.

• Hyundai Santa Fe: The Santa Fe offers a more advanced infotainment system with a larger 10.25-inch touchscreen display, integrated navigation, and a premium Harman Kardon audio system.

Safety and Driver Assistance: Confidence on the Road

1. Safety Features:

• Nissan Rogue: The Rogue comes standard with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert.

• Hyundai Santa Fe: The Santa Fe offers a similar range of safety features, with the addition of highway driving assist, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, and a surround-view monitor.

2. Driver Assistance Systems:

• Nissan Rogue: The Rogue’s ProPILOT Assist system provides semi-autonomous driving capabilities, including lane centering, adaptive cruise control, and traffic sign recognition.

• Hyundai Santa Fe: The Santa Fe’s Highway Driving Assist system offers a more comprehensive suite of driver assistance features, including lane change assist, lane keeping assist, and automatic lane centering.

Fuel Efficiency and Practicality: Economy and Versatility

1. Fuel Efficiency:

• Nissan Rogue: The Rogue delivers impressive fuel efficiency, with EPA-estimated ratings of 27 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway for front-wheel drive models.

• Hyundai Santa Fe: The Santa Fe offers slightly lower fuel efficiency, with EPA-estimated ratings of 22 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway for front-wheel drive models.

2. Cargo Space and Versatility:

• Nissan Rogue: The Rogue provides a generous cargo area with 39.3 cubic feet of space behind the second row and 74.1 cubic feet with the second row folded down.

• Hyundai Santa Fe: The Santa Fe offers a more spacious cargo area, with 36.4 cubic feet of space behind the second row and 72.1 cubic feet with the second row folded down.

Pricing and Value: Balancing Cost and Features

1. Starting Price:

• Nissan Rogue: The 2023 Nissan Rogue has a starting price of $26,490 for the base S trim level.

• Hyundai Santa Fe: The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe has a starting price of $28,200 for the base SE trim level.

2. Value Proposition:

• Nissan Rogue: The Rogue offers a compelling value proposition, providing a well-equipped SUV with a range of features at a competitive price point.

• Hyundai Santa Fe: The Santa Fe offers a higher level of standard features and a more powerful engine, but it comes at a slightly higher price than the Rogue.

The Ultimate Verdict: A Question of Priorities

The choice between the 2023 Nissan Rogue and Hyundai Santa Fe ultimately depends on individual preferences and priorities. For those seeking a comfortable and fuel-efficient SUV with a spacious interior and a comprehensive suite of safety features, the Nissan Rogue stands as a compelling option. On the other hand, those seeking a more powerful and engaging driving experience, along with a more advanced infotainment system and a more extensive range of driver assistance features, may find the Hyundai Santa Fe to be the better choice.

Basics You Wanted To Know

1. Which SUV has a more powerful engine?

• The Hyundai Santa Fe offers a more powerful engine, with 277 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, compared to the Nissan Rogue’s 181 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque.

2. Which SUV has a larger cargo area?

• The Hyundai Santa Fe offers a slightly larger cargo area, with 36.4 cubic feet of space behind the second row and 72.1 cubic feet with the second row folded down, compared to the Nissan Rogue’s 39.3 cubic feet and 74.1 cubic feet, respectively.

3. Which SUV has a more advanced infotainment system?

• The Hyundai Santa Fe offers a more advanced infotainment system with a larger 10.25-inch touchscreen display, integrated navigation, and a premium Harman Kardon audio system, compared to the Nissan Rogue’s 8-inch touchscreen display and Bose audio system.