Since 2010, the trend towards compact crossovers has taken off, and these cars have surpassed midsize SUVs in sales. In the American market, the most prominent of these crossovers are the Toyota RAV4 and the Nissan Rogue. In this Rogue vs RAV4 showdown, we will see how the two giants of the crossover market compare.
Which one is better Nissan Rogue or Toyota RAV4? While the Toyota RAV4 is known for its reliable crossover, which you can use for light off-roading, the Nissan Rogue is equally impressive in terms of comfort and practicality. For people in the compact crossover market, the choice can be a little overwhelming. This ultimate “Japanese crossover showdown” will make it easy for anyone considering buying both cars to make a choice.
Nissan Rogue VS Toyota RAV4: Powertrain
Nissan Rogue and Toyota RAV4 purchase comparison: At the heart of the RAV4 is a 2.5-liter inline-4-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol engine with 201 horsepower. The engine is equipped with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard, but Toyota does offer an optional upgrade to the all-wheel drive system.
The competing Rogue also comes with a 2.5-liter inline 4-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol engine that makes 181 horsepower. The transmission of this car is a CVT, and the standard drivetrain is front-wheel drive. However, you can also get it in an AWD configuration.
If you compare the powertrains of these two cars, they are almost identical. The engine on the Rogue is slightly less powerful, but the most important factor is the power-to-weight ratio. The RAV4 has a power of 17.3 lb/hp, while the Rogue has a power of 18.6 lb/hp, which means they have about the same power.
Next, the gearbox on the RAV4 (eight-speed automatic transmission) tends to lean towards the sporty side. Rogues’ Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) is smooth with its infinite gear ratios. There are few noticeable differences in this sector. The choice depends on your personal preference.
Nissan Rogue VS Toyota RAV4: Suspension
The Toyota RAV4 uses 225/65R17 (225mm wide, 55% width-to-profile ratio, 17-inch wheel diameter) tires. The 17-inch wheels are connected to the body by McPherson Strut suspension with stabilizer bars at the front and Multi-Link independent suspension at the rear, as well as stabilizer bars.
The Rogue has slightly wider 235/65/17 tires and the same suspension settings as the RAV4.
Even though the suspension of the two crossovers is the same, the Rogue has a slightly worse ride than the Toyota. However, this will come in handy when off-road or towing a trailer.
Nissan Rogue VS Toyota RAV4: Trunk and cargo space
Which one is better Nissan Rogue or Toyota RAV4? Cargo space is an important factor in the analysis, as one of the main reasons to buy a crossover instead of a sedan is more cargo space.
The Toyota RAV4 has 37.6 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats raised and 69.8 cubic feet when folded. To put this point of view, you can put 10 carry-on suitcases in the trunk, the rear seats are occupied, and 22 folded.
The Nissan Rogue has roughly the same cargo space, with 36.5 cubic feet with the seat up and 74.1 cubic feet with the seat retracted. This means you can carry 9 or 23 carry-on suitcases with the seats up and down.
As you can see, the two cars are comparable in terms of cargo capacity. The RAV4’s trunk is slightly larger if the rear seats are occupied, but the Rogue makes up for it when the seats fold down.
Nissan Rogue VS Toyota RAV4: Interior and Features
Nissan Rogue and Toyota RAV4 Purchase Comparison: Turning to the interiors of these cars, the interior of the Toyota RAV4 is warm, modern, and functional. It has well-placed storage compartments, soft-touch surfaces and a large center console. The basic model has a cloth upholstery, but faux leather is also an option. The infotainment screen is an 8-inch touchscreen that comes standard with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
The interior of the Nissan Rogue also uses the same design language, putting function over form. The dashboard has a two-tone design with a soft-touch surface. The seats are upholstered in fabric or faux leather, depending on your upholstery preferences. It has an 8-inch infotainment screen and supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Aside from different badges on the steering wheel and some subtle changes to the design philosophy, both cars offer the same level of interior comfort and functionality. Both cars have well-thought-out design considerations, and while each one is unique, they aren’t all too different.
Toyota RAV4 vs Nissan Rogue: Gasoline Mileage
Next, the MPG of the Toyota RAV4 is 27 in the city, 34 on the highway for the FWD model, and 25/33 (city/highway) for the AWD model.
The estimated Nissan Rogue MPG values are 27/35 for FWD and 26/33 for AWD models.
When comparing these vehicles, you will find that the average fuel consumption of these two cars is almost the same. In real-world driving conditions, it’s hard to notice subtle differences.
Nissan Rogue VS Toyota RAV4: Dimensions
Nissan Rogue and Toyota RAV4 Buy Comparison: Here is a table comparison of Toyota RAV4 size vs Nissan Rogue size.
| aspect | Toyota RAV4 (inch) | Nissan Rogue (inch) |
| wheelbase | 105.9 | 106.5 |
| length | 180.9 | 183.0 |
| width | 70.0 | 72.4 |
| height | 67.0 | 66.5 |
| Rear track width | 63.0 | 62.6 |
| Front track width | 63.7 | 62.4 |
| Ground clearance | 8.2 | 8.4 |
In short, the Rogue is only slightly longer and wider than the RAV4. They actually have precise dimensions. A garage door, driveway, or drive-thru that can accommodate one of them can be used with the other.
Nissan Rogue VS Toyota RAV4: Towing Capacity
Let’s take a look at the towing capacity of the Toyota RAV4. Its 25-liter 201-horsepower engine and one-piece structure with independent rear suspension are suitable for towing up to 1500 pounds. This is enough to tow a fiberglass trailer that is 10-15 feet long and has an interior height of 6 feet.
The Nissan Rogue has a slightly lower towing capacity of 1,350 pounds. For practical purposes, you can tow a light camper van up to 15 feet long behind this vehicle.
The slight difference in towing capacity between the two cars can be attributed to the CVT gearbox in the Rogue instead of the 4-speed manual transmission in the RAV8, which can handle more torque.
Nissan Rogue VS Toyota RAV4: Price
Which one is better Nissan Rogue or Toyota RAV4? If you want to buy a new one, the Toyota RAV4 starts at $26,000 for the basic trim, while the top-of-the-line petrol version goes up to $34,000. Since the features of the two crossovers are almost identical, so is the price.
The price of the new Nissan Rogue is between $27,000 and $35,000, depending on the option you choose.
If you’re planning to buy one of these cars, buying a Nissan Rogue or Toyota RAV4 might be a better option. There are several reasons for this. First, due to COVID-19 and the global chip shortage, new cars are in short supply and have long wait times. Second, you can trade in your current car and get financing options for a used RAV4 or Rogue, just like banks do for new cars.
Conclusion
Now, the hard part. What does all this mean? Here’s how Nissan Rogue and Toyota RAV4 buy compares.
| features | Toyota RAV4 | Nissan Rogue |
| engine | NA 2.5L I4 @ 201 HP | NA 2.5L I4 @181 hp |
| disseminate | 8-speed automatic single-clutch transmission | Continuously variable transmission |
| Fuel Economy (FWD-AWD) | 27/34 – 25/33 | 27/35 – 26/33 |
| Driven wheels | Front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive | Front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive |
| Infotainment | 8-inch touch screen | 8-inch touch screen |
| Cargo Capacity (CFT) | 37.6/69.8 | 36.5/74.1 |
| Price (NEW) (USD) | 26,000-34,000 | 27,000-35,000 |
When it comes to the purchase decision, the two cars offer almost the same value for money. The Rogue’s styling is more modern both inside and out. On the other hand, the RAV4 follows Toyota’s design philosophy of making the crossover look solid and classic.
Both have the same engine displacement, but the RAV4 has 20 more horsepower. Toyota’s 8-speed automatic transmission is more suitable for sporty driving, but if you want to drive that way, it’s very smooth. The Rogue’s CVT offers smoother shifting and slightly higher fuel efficiency. Both have almost the same cargo capacity, the same interior features, and comparable driver comfort. When it comes to towing capacity, the Nissan is a few pounds less than the Toyota, but it’s not much different. Finally, the new Rogue will cost slightly more than the RAV4.
All in all, the purchase decision depends on your personal preferences and which brand you’re more comfortable with. Drive these cars every day and you’ll hardly notice any difference.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is Nissan known for?
Nissan, the Japanese automaker is known for making reliable cars for all market segments. They produce sports cars such as the GT-R and Z series, luxury cars under the Infiniti brand, and numerous passenger cars such as crossovers, SUVs, and sedans under the Nissan brand.
Is Toyota RAV4 bigger than Nissan Roguelike?
No, the Nissan Rogue is bigger, but the difference isn’t noticeable. The wheelbase, length, and width of the Rogue are 4, 0.6, and 2.4 inches larger than the RAV2.4.
Is Nissan better than Toyota?
There is no such indicator that can determine whether Nissan is superior to Toyota. Toyota has established itself as a more prominent automaker by offering 16 different models compared to Nissan’s 23 models. Toyota is also considered to be more reliable than Nissan, and Toyota is also better at keeping its value within the ownership range compared to Nissan.
Will Nissan break a lot?
According to a Repairpal survey of 345 unique Nissan models, the Japanese brand has a reliability rating of 4.0 out of 5, which is considered very good. They put Nissan at No. 9 out of 32 brands in the reliability rankings. The average repair cost for a Nissan car is $500, which is higher than the average repair cost for the 32 brands surveyed.
What is the seating capacity of the Nissan Roguelike?
Which one is better Nissan Rogue or Toyota RAV4? The Nissan Rogue has a seating capacity of 5. Unlike other cars in this class, the rear seats can be used by larger adults for long trips. The seats are comfortable and the doors are large enough for easy entry and exit.
Does Toyota RAV4 have a lot of trunk space?
The trunk of the Toyota RAV4 holds 37.6 cubic feet when the rear seats are upright, and 69.8 cubic feet when folded. To make this easier to understand, you can fit 10 carry-on suitcases in this SUV, with the rear seats already occupied, and 22 when folded.
What is the average price of a used Toyota RAV4?
The average asking price for a used Toyota RAV4 is $26,890. Depending on the interior, optional accessories, condition of the car, and the mileage on the odometer, you can buy one for as little as $20,000 or as much as $30,000.
