2023 Nissan Rogue Named Best Compact SUV By Cars.com

It is no surprise to the Premier Nissan of San Jose staff that cars.com has selected the 2023 Rogue as the Best Compact SUV of the Year. We sell an incredible number of these reliable and affordable SUVs to our clients living in Sunnyvale, Milpitas, and here in San Jose. We very much appreciate the accolade and attention from such a reliable and well-respected authority.

Check Out the 2023 Competition

This year's field of compact SUVs included six competitors:

• Nissan Rogue
• Kia Sportage
• Hyundai Tucson
• Honda CR-V
• Mazda CX-50
• Ford Escape

All models tested were 2023 versions except the Tucson, as Hyundai could not provide a unit in time for the testing. In addition, the above order is how the category ended, with the Nissan Rogue sitting in first place.

The Grueling Tests

Each vehicle was put through its paces by three judges, including Senior Research Editor Damon Bell, Detroit Bureau Chief Aaron Bragman, and Road Test Editor Brian Normile. The vehicles were driven on the same evaluation loop, underwent a 300-plus mile fuel evaluation, the cargo capacity was measured, the child safety seat fit was evaluated, safety and driver assist features were assessed, and the results were rated according to their band for the buck.

The Scorecards

While testing the compact SUV class, judges assigned scores in 17 categories. The totals were tallied, and the Nissan Rogue earned a score of 665 out of 855 points, with the closest competitor being the Kia Sportage at nearly 50 points behind. The Rogue led many test categories, including vehicle screens and controls, interior quality, visibility, quietness, and driver assist. Unlike all four other compact SUVs in the evaluation, the Rouge did not finish last in a single category.

The Pros and Cons of the 2023 Nissan Rouge According to the Judges

As the competition's winner, the judges were very complimentary when listing the Rogue's wins. Seat comfort and interior quality are always concerns in a smaller vehicle, and Nissan did it right in the Rogue. Along those lines, the more upscale features in the Rogue included rear-seat climate control and sunshades that were not included in the other SUVs.

The cabin visibility was a huge win for the Rogue as the judges appreciated the massive headroom, tall windows, and remarkably narrow windshield pillars, which provided a panoramic view. The real-world fuel economy test also demonstrated the power and economy delivered by the vehicle with a 29.3 mpg rating.

The downside, if the Rogue has one, is the handling. The focus of the Rogue is comfort for the driver and passengers. So, the suspension delivers a softer ride that is not as forgiving in what judges call spirited driving. While it might not be the best choice to head off-road, this comfort suspension means that the typical Rogue user will find the ride ideal when tooling around the city or on a road trip on a paved surface.

To further explore all the features and functions of the award-winning Best Compact SUV for 2023, the Nissan Rogue, visit Premier Nissan of San Jose for a test drive.