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Nissan is a brand that has seen its highs and lows throughout the years, with it currently being in one of its lowest points ever. Currently, facing bankruptcy at the time of writing, Nissan is trying to weather the storm with a range of new models and platform sharing. One of the first models to come out during this time was the Nissan Rogue, which launched in 2021. It brought a much-needed update to the Rogue model, which was beginning to look very outdated compared to its rivals. In this article we will look at an overview of the Nissan Rogue, followed by ten Nissan Rogue competitors that you may also consider if you are in this market. We will show their strengths and weaknesses to help you decide which is the best choice.

Nissan Rogue Overview

Originally launched in 2008, the Nissan Rogue has been a staple in the crossover market ever since. It saw a second generation in 2014, gaining a hybrid version in 2017. This second generation also introduced spin-off models such as the Rogue Select and Rogue Sport, which were lower-cost options for people on a tighter budget. For this article, we will be focusing on the third-generation Rogue that launched in 2021. Known as the Nissan X-Trail in Europe, the Rogue shares its platform with the Mitsubishi Outlander and Nissan Qashqai. Nissan has only improved the Rogue since its launch with a facelift in 2024. This brought new front and rear fascias and an update to the Rogue’s infotainment system.

Currently, the Rogue is sold with a single powertrain, the KR15DDT. This turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder replaced the aging 2.5-liter PR25DD four-cylinder but has come under some flack recently as it was hit with an NHTSA investigation, following a high number of complaints that the engine was failing or knocking, with Nissan quickly remedying the issue. The Rogue is currently sold with five trim levels. Beginning with the S, the line-up goes to the SV, SL, and finally the Platinum with an offroad variant, the Rock Creak, slotting in between the SV and SL in pricing.

10

2025 Toyota RAV4

Starting MSRP: $28,675

The Toyota RAV4 has been a thorn in the Nissan Rogue’s side since the latter came out. Currently in its fifth generation, the RAV4 is almost seven years old now, but has managed to continuously increase its sales as it matured, now being the best-selling model in the US. It comes in gas, hybrid and plug-in hybrid forms, unlike the Rogue. This stems from a bizarre decision by Nissan to not sell the Hybrid X-Trail/Rogue E-Power in the US and instead focus it on the European market. The RAV4 is a little pricier than the Rogue, with each equivalent trim being more expensive than its counterpart. In 2026, Toyota will be releasing the sixth generation RAV4, which will be even more modern, have more technology as standard and bring more safety to the model.

The key benefits of the RAV4 are that it offers more powertrains, will have stronger resale value, and will most likely be a more reliable vehicle as time goes on.

9

2025 Honda CR-V

Starting MSRP: $29,500

Based on the eleventh-generation Civic, the Honda CR-V has remained a core model in Honda’s lineup since its launch in 1995. It offers three powertrains: a 1.5-liter, turbocharged fuur-cylinder that makes 190hp, a 2.0L L4 with two-motor hybrid system with 204-hp, and, unlike all its rivals, including the Rogue, a plug-in hydrogen fuel-cell hybrid that starts at an eye watering $50,000. It is impressive that the Rogue can have similar power to both the gas and hybrid variants of the CR-V with the same displacement and one less cylinder. Again, the Rogue beats its rival on pricing, as the CR-V prices itself over the $40,000 mark once you reach the highest “Sport Touring” trim level. This puts it above the RAV4 pricing as well.

The benefits of the CR-V over the Rogue are that it offers more powertrains, potentially better long-term reliability, and a cleaner exterior look. The downside of the CR-V is that it is more expensive, and has an under-powered hybrid powertrain that is equaled by the Rogue’s three-cylinder powertrain.

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8

2025 Hyundai Tucson

Starting MSRP: $27,500

Hyundai’s best-selling model ever, the Tuscon has dragged itself from the laughingstock of the segment to being a top competitor in the market. When it came out in 2004, both it and Hyundai as a whole were seen as a second-rate brand, but with the fourth-generation Tuscon being out since 2020, Hyundai has cemented itself in this space. The current Tuscon is available in gas, hybrid or plug-in hybrid powertrains, and unlike some other rivals, the gas version is within around 200 dollars in price to the equivalent Rogue. Based on a cut-down version of the Hyundai Santa Fe, the Tuscon was facelifted in 2023, with a new exterior design and a change to the shifter, which was mounted to the column instead of the center console.

For better or worse, the Tuscon shares the Rogue’s issue of mixed reliability with Hyundai’s T-GDi engines not having a great reputation for reliability. In a similar vein, the theft protection of Hyundai has been called into question, with both Hyundai and Kia seeing a huge surge in car theft in recent years due to vulnerabilities in their starters.

The Tuscon does have some things going for it, with an eight-speed automatic as standard instead of the Rogue’s whining CVT, and competitive pricing for what can be argued is a better-feeling interior, although the plug-in variant can cost a considerable amount more.

7

2025 Subaru Forester

Starting MSRP: $27,095

The first of two Subarus on this list, the current Forester, has been out since 2024 and brings a bit of flat-four madness into the boring world of crossovers. Again, unlike the Rogue, the Forester is yet another rival to offer a hybrid powertrain, and for a fairly reasonable cost of $36,595. The big selling point of the Forester is its Wilderness trim, which blows the rest of its rivals’ off-road trims out of the water in terms of capability and pedigree. Starting at $36,285, the Wilderness gets you raised suspension with 9.2 inches of ground clearance, hill-decent control and a 180-degree front-view screen to help show obstacles on the trail you might not be able to see. This is a far cry from the painted aluminum-alloy wheels and exclusive Rock Creek leatherette seats that Nissan totes on its off-road trim.

The benefits of the Forester are that you get Subaru’s excellent EyeSight safety system and driving aids, plus a true off-road trim level, but the non-hybrids are a bit gutless, down almost 20-hp from the Rogues’ power figure, with worse economy.

6

2025 Ford Escape

Starting MSRP: $29,515

The Ford Escape has fallen by the wayside in the world of Broncos and Edges, but it is still trucking along, offering a sporty and stylish design in the crossover market. The Escape gets no off-road version with that section instead being occupied by the Ford Bronco Sport. Available as gas, hybrid and plug-in hybrid, the Escape is sold in Europe as the Ford Kuga and shares its platform with the Ford Focus, Brono Sport, and Maverick. The Escape pushes heavier into the sporty side of the crossover market, with the ST-Line trim being the main one offered, coming in three separate sub-trims, the ST-Line, ST-Line Select, and the ST-Line Elite.

The Edge is one of the older models in this segment, going on six years old, and was facelifted in 2023 with a 13.2-inch infotainment system with SYNC 4 now standard in the higher trim models, and a standard digital gauge cluster.

It is sportier and more aggressive than the Rogue, and its top-trim ST-Line Elite is cheaper than the Rogue Platinum but has less power in both gas and hybrid versions. You have to step up to the plug-in hybrid to get more power.

5

Mazda CX-5

Starting MSRP: $28,770

The current Mazda CX-5 is due to be replaced by the end of this year, so you can get some good pricing before it goes away. Starting at $28,770 for a CX-5 S, you will get a classy interior and a 187-hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder. The second-generation CX-5 came out in 2016, and was facelifted in 2021. Like the Rogue, the CX-5 is currently only offered with gas drivetrains. But unlike the Rogue, it gets a beefier engine option in the form of a 256 hp turbo-four. There is zero attempt to make an off-road or even very sporting trim, with all the focus on offering luxury and minimalism.

For the benefits, the CX-5 offers a little more class and interior design than the Rogue, but is very old at this point and most people will be waiting for the new generation to come out.

4

2025 Chevrolet Equinox

Starting MSRP: $28,600

One of the Rogues’ newest rivals, the new Equinox, came out for the 2025 model year and shares its platform with the GMC Terrain. Like the Rogue, it comes with one engine option, a gas 1.5L turbo four-cylinder making 175 hp. The front-wheel-drive Equinox comes with a CVT, while the all-wheel-drive models come with an eight-speed automatic. A China-exclusive plug-in hybrid was also developed but has not made its way to the US yet. The Equinox takes its boxy styling features from its bigger Traverse and Tahoe brothers, and available models include an off-road Activ trim and sporty RS trim. It is a significantly less powerful vehicle than the Rogue, yet Chevrolet claim a 1,500-lb towing capacity, just like the Nissan.

If you want a bang-up-to-date model that has a boxy design, then the Equinox could be the one for you, but it suffers from an under-powered engine and fewer trim options than the Rogue.

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3

2025 Kia Sportage

Starting MSRP: $27,390

Alongside its Tuscon cousin, the Sportage has also become a mainstay in the market as a popular buy. Whether in two-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive, the Sportage comes with Terrain Mode, a system that helps you get across snow, mud, and sand. It was facelifted in 2024, adding a two-spoke steering wheel, 12.3-inch touchscreen and curved digital gauge cluster. Just like the Tuscon, the Sportage is offered in gas, hybrid, plug-in powertrains and a great warranty when compared to rivals. The Rogue cannot match the configurability of the Kia in this regard. The plug-in hybrid options do get alot more expensive – up to $44,390 for a top trim model.

Sadly, you get the same negatives as the Hyundai, with engine reliability and theft protection issues being a concern when talking about the Sportage, although Kia’s legendary warranty can help put some of these worries to bed.

2

2025 Subaru Outback

Starting MSRP: $29,995

Like a lot of models on this list, the Outback is due to be replaced in the near future, but you can still get the current model for $29,995, putting it right in line with the mid-trim Rogue. The Outback is an institution in the car world with its symmetrical all-wheel drive, boxer engine and off-road looks. Just like the Forester, the Outback sets itself apart with an off-road focus, but this time in a smaller package. This isn’t to say you can’t get a luxury trim, with the Outback Limited and Touring both giving a more mature look than the Wildness off-road trim, at $39,720 and $42,280 for the 2.5-liter version, respectively.

Like the CX-5 but unlike the Rogue, you can get a more powerful engine in the form of a 2.4-liter turbocharged boxer that makes 260 hp. The more powerful outback can also tow an impressive 3,500 lbs, a huge increase on the Rogue’s average capacity of at best, 1,500 lbs. However, these are expensive, with a turbo-equipped mid-trim Limited coming in at $42,060, which is $3,470 more than a top-trim Rogue Platinum. The Rogue also looks alot more professional than the Outback, being less of an off-roader and more of a conventional SUV.

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1

2025 Mitsubishi Outlander

Starting MSRP: $29,995

Coming from Nissan’s similarly struggling partner in the US market, the Mitsubishi Outlander is acting as Mitsubishi’s first true attempt to get back in the black, just as the Rogue is for Nissan. Stare at the Outlander’s interior long enough, and you will see bits of the Nissan Rogue, with both vehicles sharing a switch gear, infotainment systems, and even the same platforms. The Outlander, whether it is because of desperation on Mitsubishi’s behalf or because of its great marketing potential, touts itself as America’s most affordable three-row SUV, meaning for around the same price as the Rogue, you can sit two more. It does fall behind the Rogue in other ways, being straddled with the Rogue’s old PR25DD 2.5-liter four-cylinder instead of moving to the more powerful and efficient 1.5-liter three-cylinder turbo. It is less powerful at 181 hp, and gets worse fuel economy across the board than its Nissan sibling.

The Outlander counteracts this by offering a plug-in hybrid variant of the with a 2.4 liter four-cylinder. It is a rather expensive proposition, starting at $40,445 for a base ES plug-in hybrid all the way up to $50,445 for a Platinum Edition plug-in hybrid. The regular gas variant starts at a much more Rogue-like $29,995 for an ES 2.5 2WD. The Outlander does a lot to shake off the bad image that Mitsubishi has garnered in the last decade, but reliability concerns and poor resale value hurt its seven-seat selling point. Having the older, less powerful and less efficient engine is also a knock against when comparing it to the Nissan Rogue.

FAQs

What is the European equivalent of the Nissan Rogue?

In Europe, the Nissan Rogue is sold as the Nissan X-Trail, and is offered in both gas and hybrid versions.

Which Honda is comparable to the Nissan Rogue?

Honda’s closest model to the Rogue is the CR-V, a more expensive but sleeker option compared to the Rogue.

What Toyota is similar to the Nissan Rogue?

The Toyota RAV4 is the model most similar to the Nissan Rogue, and is due to be replaced next year with a new generation.

Sources: Nissan, Subaru, Ford, Toyota, Kia, Hyundai, Honda, Chevrolet, Mitsubishi, Mazda