Compare the2023 Hyundai Kona NVS 2023 Nissan Rogue

Both the Kona N and the Rogue 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, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

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

Hyundai’s powertrain warranty covers the Kona N 5 years and 40,000 miles longer than Nissan covers the Rogue. 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 ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The Kona N’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the Rogue’s (7 vs. 5 years).

Hyundai pays for scheduled maintenance on the Kona N for 3 years and 36,000 miles. Hyundai will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Nissan doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Rogue.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Hyundai vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Hyundai third in reliability, above the industry average. With 57 more problems per 100 vehicles, Nissan is ranked 20th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Hyundai vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Hyundai 7 places higher in reliability than Nissan.

The Kona N’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 75 more horsepower (276 vs. 201) and 64 lbs.-ft. more torque (289 vs. 225) than the Rogue’s 1.5 turbo 3-cylinder.

The Kona N’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The Rogue doesn’t offer launch control.

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

The Kona N stops shorter than the Rogue:

The Kona N’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Rogue S’ standard 65 series tires. The Kona N’s tires are lower profile than the Rogue SL/Platinum’s 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Kona N has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Rogue S.

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

The Kona N has a standard driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The Rogue’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The Kona N handles at .95 G’s, while the Rogue Platinum AWD pulls only .84 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Kona N is 1 foot, 5.1 inches shorter than the Rogue, making the Kona N easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The front step up height for the Kona N is 1.6 inches lower than the Rogue (16” vs. 17.6”). The Kona N’s rear step up height is 2.4 inches lower than the Rogue’s (16.1” vs. 18.5”).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Kona N easier. The Kona N’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 27.5 inches, while the Rogue’s liftover is 29.4 inches.

The Kona N’s front power windows open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Rogue’s passenger windows don’t open or close automatically.

The Kona N has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank. The Rogue doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

The Kona N’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Nissan only offers heated mirrors on the Rogue SV/SL/Platinum.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Hyundai Kona N has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the Rogue Platinum offers wireless charging.

The Kona N was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Five/10Best Trucks” in 2019. The Rogue has never been a Car and Driver “Top Five/10Best Truck” pick.