Compare the2023 Mazda CX-50VS 2023 Nissan Rogue

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the CX-50. But it costs extra on the Rogue.

Both the CX-50 and Rogue have Rear Cross Traffic Alert, but the CX-50Turbo Premium Plus has Rear Cross Traffic Braking (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic.

Both the CX-50 and the Rogue have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Mazda CX-50 is safer than the Rogue:

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Mazda above average in long-term dependability. With 13 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Nissan is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Mazda fourth in overall reliability. Nissan is ranked 15th.

The CX-50’s optional 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 55 more horsepower (256 vs. 201) and 95 lbs.-ft. more torque (320 vs. 225) than the Rogue’s 1.5 turbo 3-cylinder.

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the CX-50 (except Turbo)’s fuel efficiency. The Rogue doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the CX-50 Turbo’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 doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The CX-50 has 1.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the Rogue (15.8 vs. 14.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

For better stopping power the CX-50’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Rogue:

The CX-50 stops shorter than the Rogue:

For better traction, the CX-50 Premium Plus/Turbo’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Rogue (245/45R20 vs. 235/65R17).

The CX-50 Premium Plus/Turbo’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Rogue SL/Platinum’s 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the CX-50 Premium Plus/Turbo has standard 20-inch wheels. The Rogue’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the CX-50’s wheelbase is 4.3 inches longer than on the Rogue (110.8 inches vs. 106.5 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the CX-50 is 2.7 inches wider in the front and 2.7 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Rogue.

For greater off-road capability the CX-50 has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Rogue (8.3 vs. 8.2 inches), allowing the CX-50 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The CX-50 Premium/Turbo’s minimum ground clearance is .4 inch higher than on the Rogue (8.6 vs. 8.2 inches).

The CX-50 has .2 inches more front legroom and 1.3 inches more rear legroom than the Rogue.

The CX-50’s cargo area is larger than the Rogue’s in almost every dimension:

The CX-50’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Rogue’s (2000 vs. 1500 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Nissan Rogue is only 1500 pounds. The CX-50 offers up to a 3500 lbs. towing capacity.

The CX-50 uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Rogue uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

The CX-50’s front and rear power windows all 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.

On a hot day the CX-50’s driver can lower all the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Rogue can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The CX-50 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 CX-50’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Rogue’s intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the CX-50 Turbo has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Rogue doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The CX-50’s optional rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Rogue offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the CX-50 Premium Plus/Turbo Premium keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Rogue doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Mazda CX-50 and the Nissan Rogue, based on reliability, safety and performance.