Compare 2017 Toyota RAV4 vs Nissan Rogue

2017 Toyota RAV4 vs 2017 Nissan Rogue

Serving Suitland, MD, Alexandria, VA, and Washington, DC

Crossovers take the tall profile and ample cargo hold of the full-size SUV and place it in a vehicle well-suited for the average family. The field is crowded, but the Toyota RAV4 has stood its ground as a top favorite in this category. The 2017 Nissan Rogue aims to overtake this rival, and this quick review should show if it can accomplish this mission.

Performance

Both vehicles contain similar engines, but with the realization that compact SUVs need sufficient strength, the RAV4 utilizes a 2.5 liter 4-cylinder motor capable of 176 horsepower. The 2.5 liter 4-cylinder block found in the 2017 Nissan Rogue only creates 170 horsepower. In exchange, the 2017 RAV4 gets 23 mpg city and 30 mpg highway. The Rogue picks up just an extra 3 miles per gallon in and out of town by dropping the helpful additional brawn. These differences are relatively minor compared to the hybrid versions of each crossover. Here, the RAV4 keeps its standard engine and merges it with an electric motor to kick output up to 194 horsepower while moving fuel savings up to 34 mpg city and 31 mpg highway. The 2 liter 4-cylinder gas engine tethered to a 30kW electric motor in the 2017 Rogue only improves muscle to 176 horses. The only compensation for this 18 horsepower discrepancy is a tiny gas economy advantage of 35 mpg city and 33 mpg highway.

Interior

The RAV4 and Rogue are very similar in size but the RAV4 makes better use of its interior volume. With the aim of satisfying a modest-sized family of 5, the 2017 RAV4 offers two rows of spacious seats that leave 38.4 cubic feet of cargo room in the back. The 2017 Rogue attempts to match larger vehicles by offering a cramped third row that leaves just 9.4 cubic feet for merchandise. When the seats need lowering for major freight loads, the RAV4 generously supplies 73.4 cubic feet of room behind the front seating row while the Rogue only gives up a tighter 70 cubic feet.

Safety

Toyota has built a reputation for safety over the years that's reflected in the RAV4. Both crossovers earn the top score of Good in all categories by the IIHS. Testing by the NHTSA, though, awards the rating of 5 stars to the 2017 RAV4 overall while the 2017 Nissan Rogue just manages to capture a 4-star rank. Both vehicles have antilock brakes, traction and stability control, airbags, tire pressure monitoring, and a rearview camera. The RAV4 takes a strong lead in cutting-edge features with its Toyota safety sense package included with all models. This collection incorporates forward collision detection with pedestrian sensing, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control. Blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are also options or standards on certain RAV4 models. The 2017 Rogue either offers these individual features on some models or doesn't offer them at all.

This comparison shows that the RAV4 is always ready to meet a challenger head-on and come out on top like it has against the Rogue. It has the right brawn and safety capabilities to get the typical family to their destination in comfort. To get a better feel for how it achieves this, try one out at our dealership today.