Compare the2023 Kia SportageVS 2022 Nissan Rogue Sport

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Sportage’s standard Downhill Brake Control allows you to creep down safely. The Rogue Sport doesn’t offer Downhill Brake Control.

Both the Sportage and the Rogue Sport have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its available headlight’s “Acceptable” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Sportage the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2022, a rating granted to only 155 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Rogue Sport has not been fully tested, yet.

The Sportage comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Rogue Sport’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 2 years or 24,000 miles sooner.

Kia’s powertrain warranty covers the Sportage 5 years and 40,000 miles longer than Nissan covers the Rogue Sport. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the Rogue Sport ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Sportage has a standard 150-amp alternator. The Rogue Sport’s 120-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Kia vehicles are better in initial quality than Nissan vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia fourth in initial quality, above the industry average. With 11 more problems per 100 vehicles, Nissan is ranked 10th.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Kia vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia first in reliability, above the industry average. With 60 more problems per 100 vehicles, Nissan is ranked 20th.

The Sportage’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 46 more horsepower (187 vs. 141) and 31 lbs.-ft. more torque (178 vs. 147) than the Rogue Sport’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Sportage’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Rogue Sport doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

For better stopping power the Sportage’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Rogue Sport:

For better traction, the Sportage has larger tires than the Rogue Sport (235/65R17 vs. 215/60R17). The Sportage LX/X-Pro’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Rogue Sport (235/65R17 vs. 225/45R19).

The Sportage has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The Rogue Sport’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Sportage’s wheelbase is 4.3 inches longer than on the Rogue Sport (108.5 inches vs. 104.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Sportage is 1.3 inches wider in the front and 1.8 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Rogue Sport.

For greater off-road capability the Sportage has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Rogue Sport (8.3 vs. 7.4 inches), allowing the Sportage to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The front grille of the Sportage uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Rogue Sport doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Sportage has 1.4 inches more front hip room, 1.1 inches more front shoulder room, 1.1 inches more rear headroom, 7.9 inches more rear legroom and 6.5 inches more rear hip room than the Rogue Sport.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Sportage’s rear seats recline. The Rogue Sport’s rear seats don’t recline.

The Sportage has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Rogue Sport with its rear seat up (39.6 vs. 22.9 cubic feet). The Sportage has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Rogue Sport with its rear seat folded (74.1 vs. 61.1 cubic feet).

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Sportage’s power liftgate can be opened just by waiting momentarily behind the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Sportage’s power liftgate can also be opened or closed by pressing a button. The Rogue Sport doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening liftgate.

The Sportage has a 2500 lbs. towing capacity. The Rogue Sport has no towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Stability Assist on the Sportage uses the Electronic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Rogue Sport doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The Sportage SX/Prestige/X-Pro’s standard Easy Access Function glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Rogue Sport doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Sportage’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Rogue Sport’s parking brake has to be released manually.

The power windows standard on both the Sportage and the Rogue Sport have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Sportage is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The Rogue Sport prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The Sportage EX/SX/Prestige/X-Line/X-Pro’s front power windows open fully with one touch of the switches, and the driver’s window also automatically closes, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Rogue Sport’s passenger windows don’t open or close automatically.

On a hot day the Sportage’s driver can lower all the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Rogue Sport can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are optional on the Sportage (except LX/EX/X-Line) to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Rogue Sport doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

When the Sportage SX/Prestige/X-Pro is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Rogue Sport’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Sportage Prestige keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Rogue Sport doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Kia Sportage EX/SX/Prestige/X-Line/X-Pro has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The Rogue Sport doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.