Compared: 2022 Nissan Rogue vs. 2022 Subaru Forester
These family focused, compact SUVs are separated by underhood tech.
Nissan (left), Subaru
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The 2022 Nissan Rogue and 2022 Subaru Forester compact SUVs approach the same goal of safe, affordable family transportation from different angles. While the Forester makes much of its rugged all-wheel-drive capabilities, the Rogue is focused on a high-tech and more luxurious daily commute.
How do the Rogue and the Forester fare when examined head to head? Here’s a comparison of the features, fuel economy, and price of these two sport-utility vehicles.
Nissan
2022 Nissan Rogue vs. 2022 Subaru Forester: Features
For those who want a family vehicle with an adventure-ready feel, Subaru offers the Wilderness trim for its 2022 Forester, boasting the kind of body cladding and all-terrain tires more often seen on true off-road SUVs. The Wilderness model rides slightly taller than its standard counterpart and comes with additional drive modes to better tackle low-traction situations. It’s also equipped with a front-facing camera system to help pick out obstacles on the trail. The Rogue offers no such trail assistance; it’s strictly a pavement cruiser.
Subaru
The Nissan and the Subaru are nearly identical when it comes to total cargo space, but the Rogue enjoys an advantage of nearly 8 cubic feet between the rear seatback and the hatch. From a safety-tech perspective, the Nissan also pulls ahead. Its ProPilot Assist with Navi-link suite of advanced driver aids can automatically reduce speed based on local signage or if GPS coordinates indicate the vehicle is exiting the highway. Subaru’s EyeSight system is not quite as sophisticated.
Nissan
2022 Nissan Rogue vs. 2022 Subaru Forester: Fuel Economy
The Nissan Rogue has gone small with a new, 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine, but that doesn’t mean power is reduced. With 201 horses on tap thanks to a turbocharger, the Rogue has enough motivation for regular driving and is pleasingly frugal at the fuel pump. EPA estimates for the SUV stand at 33 mpg combined for front-wheel-drive models. All-wheel drive knocks that down to 31 mpg.
Subaru
The Subaru Forester features a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and is available exclusively with all-wheel drive, which reduces fuel efficiency. With an estimated 29 mpg combined, the Forester is at a clear disadvantage compared to the Rogue. The Wilderness trim’s transmission tune and larger tires drop efficiency even lower to 26 mpg. This might be easier to understand if the larger motor was leveraged for additional muscle, but it actually checks in below the Nissan with 182 hp, a 19-hp disadvantage.
Subaru
2022 Nissan Rogue vs. 2022 Subaru Forester: Price
The entry-level Subaru Forester is priced at around $27,000, followed closely by the Nissan Rogue S at $28,000. But the base Rogue S becomes even more expensive when you equip it with the optional all-wheel drive for an extra $1,500.
Nissan
The top-tier Rogue Platinum retails for about $40,000 and does come with all-wheel drive. Still, it’s a more than $3,000 stretch over the top-level Forester Touring, which comes in at $37,000.
