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Best Car Deals for April 2025Head-to-Head: 2023 Nissan Rogue vs Subaru Forester
We already reviewed these two SUVs separately, but now it’s time to put them against each other with the 2023 Nissan Rogue vs 2023 Subaru Forester.
A Head-to-Head Compact Crossover Comparison
Each of these two compact crossovers has been in production for over 15 years now. Actually, the Subaru Forester has been going strong since 1998. Subaru is already focused on the 2024 Forester, but Nissan is still selling the 2023 Rogue, so, to make this fair, we’ll stay in the 2023 model year. We already published a full review of the 2023 Nissan Rogue, and we also took a close look at the 2023 Subaru Forester. Today, it’s time to put these two SUVs against each other in a head-to-head comparison.
Specs
Starting off with Nissan, the 2023 Rogue is equipped with a turbocharged 1.5-liter DOHC three-cylinder that delivers 201 horsepower and 225 lb-ft of torque through a continuously variable transmission (CVT). That mechanical setup allows the 2023 Nissan Rogue to tow 1,500 lbs. when equipped properly. There are no options beyond the inline-three, but Nissan does offer the Rogue as front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD) for drivers who have a preference between the two drivetrains. Of course, AWD does lower the fuel efficiency, but 28 miles per gallon (mpg) in the city and 34 mpg on the highway isn’t bad for AWD. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) numbers show better numbers with FWD: 30 mpg in the city and 37 mpg on the highway.
Meanwhile, the 2023 Subaru Forester is AWD all the way. There’s no FWD option, which means that every 2023 Forester achieves an EPA-estimated 26 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway. Under the hood is a 2.5-liter flat four-cylinder and CVT that’s pushing the Forester with 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque. That combination is capable of handling 1,500 lbs. when towing. The Wilderness, a trim designed to better off-roading performance, can tow 3,000 lbs. with a lower final drivetrain ratio and air-cooled CVT fluid coolers that keep operating temperatures lower when towing.
Driving and Performance
The addition of the 1.5-liter engine in the 2023 Nissan Rogue certainly improved the ability of the crossover when it comes to accelerating, merging, and even passing. It handles well enough. Though it’s not exciting, it confidently maneuvers into parking spaces and around curves. The ride remains composed enough even when doing some off-roading. The 2023 Rogue isn’t an off-roading vehicle, but it’s got some ability to go on adventures. Despite the more powerful, upgraded engine, the Rogue does still suffer from delays as the CVT lags every now and then.
The 2023 Subaru Forester has the same problem previous models had when it comes to getting up to highway speeds. Darting into openings in rush-hour traffic can be difficult, too. The four-cylinder engine and CVT just aren’t built for speed. Braking, steering, and handling, however, are all done without issue. The 2023 Forester is composed out on the roadway and even on some gravel roads. A little off-roading isn’t off limits thanks to 8.7 inches of ground clearance. The Wilderness does even better in those situations thanks to better suspension, all-terrain tires, and 9.2 inches of ground clearance. It’d just be even better if the engine had a little more pep to it.
Comfort and Interior
There’s a good amount of space in the 2023 Nissan Rogue, whether you’re trying to fit people into the cabin or cargo into the back. It is a compact crossover, so the second row can be a little cramped if you have three large adults in there for a long road trip. There’s 41.5 inches of legroom in the first row and 38.5 inches of legroom in the second. Cargo space typically measures 36.5 cu. ft., but with the seats folded in a 60/40 split, that area increases to 74.1 cu. ft. 2023 Nissan Rogue models with a moonroof don’t get as much space, though. The volume dips, just a little bit, to 72.9 cu. ft. of space.
As materials go, the 2023 Nissan Rogue goes from cloth seats to leatherette seats to leather-appointed seats as the higher trims are introduced. Technology helps make the seating more comfortable with a four-way power front-passenger seat and an eight-way power driver’s seat with two-way power lumbar support and memory driver’s seat settings. Additional features include heated front seats, heated rear seats, and a heated steering wheel. Of course, all of this depends on which trim you get. Still, if you are willing to spend the money, there are a lot of options to choose from. A good mix of soft-touch materials and knobs make the interior of the 2023 Nissan Rogue fairly appealing.
The 2023 Subaru Forester also seats up to five adults, but it’s a little roomier than the 2023 Nissan Rogue. Passengers get 43.3 inches of legroom in the first row of the 2023 Forester and 39.4 inches of space in the second row. When it comes to cargo, there’s up to 28.9 cu. ft. if the second-row seats are upright. If they are folded (also in a 60/40 split), then 74.2 cu. ft. is the amount of space available to accommodate luggage or other items.
The interior of the 2023 Subaru Forester base isn’t luxury, but the controls are all within reach, there are hard knobs to easily control the infotainment, and the cabin does get better with higher trims. For example, the 2023 Forester Sport has a two-tone cloth upholstery with orange contrast stitching. There was at least some effort to make it special. The Limited trim gets leather-trimmed upholstery while the Touring has available saddle brown leather-trimmed upholstery. A 10-way power driver’s seat and eight-way power front passenger seat are also included at that level. Heated front and rear seats come with Subaru’s All-Weather Package, too.
Trims
There are five trims to choose from when purchasing a 2023 Nissan Rogue: the starting-level S trim, the SV, the SL, and the top-tiered Platinum. Plus, there’s the new Midnight Edition package. The 2023 Rogue ranges from $29,275 with FWD on the base trim to $40,355 with AWD on the Platinum. The base trim starts off with a decent amount of tech in the form of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, satellite radio capability, two USB ports, an eight-inch touchscreen, and a four-speaker audio system. It’s got cloth upholstery, so no special fabric yet. Forward collision mitigation, a lane departure warning, a blind-spot warning, and rear automatic braking are some of the advanced driver assistance elements on the S. Outside, there aren’t any special attributes. The 2023 Rogue has 17-inch alloy wheels at the S trim.
The SV trim adds a remote start and keyless entry. Inside, drivers will find a power-adjustable driver’s seat, dual-zone automatic climate control, two rear-seat USB ports, and a six-speaker audio system. Adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist are both added, too. The SV doesn’t come with roof rails, a panoramic sunroof, a power liftgate, a leather-wrapped (and heated) steering wheel, heated front seats, and artificial leather, but those features are all part of the available SV Premium package. In addition to all of the features of the SV Premium package, the SL gets 19-inch wheels, LED fog lights, a hands-free liftgate, real leather upholstery, a power-adjustable passenger seat, memory settings for the driver’s seat, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and a 360-degree surround view camera.
Lastly, the range-topping 2023 Nissan Rogue Platinum has a nine-inch touchscreen, Android Auto capability, wireless AppleCarPlay, a navigation system, a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, a 10-speaker Bose audio system, and a built-in Amazon Alexa digital assistant. A wireless charging pad is there to keep all devices at full battery life. The front windshield is equipped with a head-up display, the seats are made of leather with quilted stitching, and the cabin has tri-zone climate control. The 2023 Platinum also has front and rear parking sensors. Adaptive cruise control and a lane-keeping system are linked to the in-car navigation, too. Oh, and that Midnight Edition? It’s adds gloss black 18-inch wheels, black roof rails, and black exterior badging to the mix.
The 2023 Nissan Rogue certainly has some options, but the 2023 Subaru Forester has more, at least in terms of the number of trim levels. There’s the Base trim, the Premium, the Sport, the Wilderness, the Limited, and the Touring. Those trims range from $27,620 at the Base level to $37,720 with the Touring. With two more trims than the Rogue, does the 2023 Forester have as many features? Well, the Base starts off with 17-inch steel wheels and LED headlights on the outside. Inside, is a cabin with a 6.5-inch touchscreen, a four-speaker audio system, satellite radio, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. Passengers have access to automatic climate control, too. Driver assists at this level include adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assistance, a lane departure warning, and forward collision mitigation.
Moving up to the Premium gets buyers raised roof rails, fog lights, a panoramic sunroof, tinted rear windows, and a keyless entry with a push-button start. The All-Weather Package adds heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a de-icing windshield wiper. The Sport has most of those same attributes but also has 18-inch black-painted wheels and LED fog lights. The inside and outside both get black and orange accents. Evasive steering assist and a blind-spot warning with a rear cross-traffic alert make up the rest of the additions.
For outdoor adventurers, the Wilderness comes with all-terrain tires, a full-size spare tire, an extra half inch of ground clearance, a front skid plate, and a roof rack. The styling is enhanced with an anti-glare matte black Wilderness hood decal. Inside the cabin is a larger eight-inch touchscreen display and water-resistant seats. The 2023 Subaru Forester Wilderness is also capable of towing 3,000 lbs., double the amount of other Forester trims.
There aren’t many upgrades on the Limited, but there are a few: 18-inch wheels, dual-zone automatic climate control, leather upholstery, and a power liftgate. At the top is the Forester Touring, which has driver’s seat memory settings, a driver monitoring system to measure alertness, a nine-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, and integrated navigation. Drivers in colder climates should also appreciate the heated steering wheel and heated rear outboard seats.
The Verdict
The 2023 Nissan Rogue and 2023 Subaru Forester are very evenly matched. They’re nearly identical when it comes to the infotainment that is included, though the Rogue adds a lot of the premium features earlier on in the trim ladder since there aren’t as many Nissan Rogue trims as there are with the Subaru Forester. Both Nissan and Subaru offer a 3 year or 36,000-mile limited warranty and five year or 60,000-mile powertrain warranty.
The 2023 Nissan Rogue Platinum and 2023 Subaru Forester Touring are equipped with many of the same driver assists and amenities. Do you want a 10-speaker Bose audio system in the Rogue or a nine-speaker Harman Kardon audio system in the Forester? The biggest thing the Nissan Rogue has going for it, at every trim level, is the upgraded 1.5-liter DOHC three-cylinder turbo that was first introduced in the 2022 model. It helps eliminate some of the hesitancy Rogue owners may have experienced in previous models.
The Midnight Edition benefits those who want a sportier-looking Nissan Rogue, but Subaru can counteract that with the Forester Sport. The Wilderness is where the Rogue can’t compete. The Wilderness has an entire inch of excess ground clearance compared to a 2023 Nissan Rogue. Another thing the Nissan Rogue doesn’t have an answer for? The extra towing capacity of the Wilderness trim.
If you’re planning to spend your free time on trails and winding up and down mountains, the Subaru Forester Wilderness has likely already caught your attention. However, if you’re looking for a daily driver that will only occasionally encounter a gravel road, you may want to take a closer look at the 2023 Nissan Rogue and take it out for a test drive to put that turbocharged engine to the test. Even though the top 2023 Nissan Rogue trim is over $2,000 more than the top 2023 Subaru Forester trim, that extra kick when accelerating may just be worth it.
