Compare the2023 Subaru ForesterVS 2022 Nissan Rogue Sport

Safety
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Subaru Forester have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Nissan Rogue Sport doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

The Forester has standard Whiplash-Reducing Front Seats, which use a specially designed seat to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash-Reducing Front Seats system allows the backrest to travel backwards to cushion the occupants and the headrests move forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Rogue Sport doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

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

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Forester Premium/Sport/Wilderness/Limited/Touring’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The Rogue Sport doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

Both the Forester and the Rogue Sport have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, 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 blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Subaru Forester is safer than the Nissan Rogue Sport:

	Forester	Rogue Sport
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	186	399
Neck Injury Risk	23%	33.7%
Neck Stress	326 lbs.	349 lbs.
Neck Compression	22 lbs.	106 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	31%	35.3%
Leg Forces (l/r)	105/93 lbs.	327/570 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Subaru Forester is safer than the Nissan Rogue Sport:

	Forester	Rogue Sport
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	66	106
Chest Movement	.6 inches	.9 inches
Abdominal Force	122 lbs.	156 lbs.
Hip Force	389 lbs.	408 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	121	326
Spine Acceleration	40 G’s	45 G’s

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

For its performance in IIHS driver-side and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, updated side impact, headlight, and daytime pedestrian crash prevention testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Forester the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2023, a rating granted to only 53 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Rogue Sport has not been fully tested, yet.

Reliability

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Subaru vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Subaru 8 places higher in reliability than Nissan.

Engine

The Forester’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 41 more horsepower (182 vs. 141) and 29 lbs.-ft. more torque (176 vs. 147) than the Rogue Sport’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Subaru Forester is faster than the Nissan Rogue Sport:

	Forester	Rogue Sport
Zero to 30 MPH	3.2 sec	3.5 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	8.3 sec	9.8 sec
Zero to 80 MPH	14.1 sec	16.9 sec
Passing 45 to 65 MPH	4.1 sec	5.1 sec
Quarter Mile	16.5 sec	17.5 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	86.2 MPH	80.6 MPH

The flat cylinder configuration of the boxer engine in the Forester lowers its center of gravity, enhancing handling stability without compromising ground clearance. The Rogue Sport doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Forester gets better mileage than the Rogue Sport:

			MPG
Forester
	AWD	2.5 DOHC flat-4	26 city/33 hwy
Rogue Sport
	FWD	2.0 DOHC 4-cyl.	25 city/32 hwy
	AWD	2.0 DOHC 4-cyl.	24 city/30 hwy

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Forester’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. The Rogue Sport doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The Forester has 2.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the Rogue Sport (16.6 vs. 14.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Subaru Forester higher (7 out of 10) than the Nissan Rogue Sport (5). This means the Forester produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Rogue Sport every 15,000 miles.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	Forester	Rogue Sport
Front Rotors	12.4 inches	11.65 inches

The Forester stops much shorter than the Rogue Sport:

	Forester	Rogue Sport
60 to 0 MPH	117 feet	137 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	138 feet	139 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Forester has larger tires than the Rogue Sport (225/60R17 vs. 215/60R17).

The Forester Wilderness has a standard full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the Rogue Sport; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which has mileage and speed limitations, or roadside assistance and a tow-truck.

Suspension and Handling

The Forester Limited handles at .82 G’s, while the Rogue Sport SL 4x4 pulls only .75 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Forester Limited executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.3 seconds quicker than the Rogue Sport SL 4x4 (27.3 seconds @ .63 average G’s vs. 29.6 seconds @ .53 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Forester’s turning circle is 1.5 feet tighter than the Rogue Sport’s (35.4 feet vs. 36.9 feet).

Chassis

The front grille of the Forester 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.

Passenger Space

The Forester has 15.6 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Rogue Sport (111.6 vs. 96).

The Forester has 1.6 inches more front headroom, .5 inches more front legroom, .7 inches more front hip room, 1.5 inches more front shoulder room, 1.3 inches more rear headroom, 6 inches more rear legroom, 6.7 inches more rear hip room and 1.5 inches more rear shoulder room than the Rogue Sport.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Forester Premium/Sport/Wilderness/Limited/Touring’s rear seats recline. The Rogue Sport’s rear seats don’t recline.

The front step up height for the Forester is 1.6 inches lower than the Rogue Sport (15.5” vs. 17.1”). The Forester’s rear step up height is .6 inches lower than the Rogue Sport’s (17.25” vs. 17.8”).

Cargo Capacity

The Forester has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Rogue Sport with its rear seat up (28.9 vs. 22.9 cubic feet). The Forester has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Rogue Sport with its rear seat folded (74.2 vs. 61.1 cubic feet).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Forester easier. The Forester’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 28.4 inches, while the Rogue Sport’s liftover is 30.2 inches.

The Forester’s cargo area is larger than the Rogue Sport’s in almost every dimension:

	Forester	Rogue Sport
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	35.7”/73.1”	33.3”/62.3”
Max Width	51.5”	54.2”
Min Width	43.3”	43.5”
Height	34.8”	33.3”

A control in the cargo area automatically lowers the Forester Wilderness/Limited/Touring’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Rogue Sport doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Forester. The Rogue Sport doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the Forester (except Base) offers an optional power liftgate, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button. The Rogue Sport doesn’t offer a power liftgate.

Towing

The Forester has a 1500 lbs. towing capacity. The Rogue Sport has no towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Stability Assist on the Forester uses the Vehicle Dynamics 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.

Servicing Ease

The engine in the Forester is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Rogue Sport. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

Ergonomics

The Forester Touring’s standard easy entry system 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 Forester’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 Forester Premium/Sport/Wilderness/Limited/Touring’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.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Forester Premium/Sport/Wilderness/Limited/Touring’s exterior PIN entry system. The Rogue Sport doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system, and its NissanConnect can’t unlock the doors if the vehicle doesn’t have cell phone reception or the driver can’t contact the service.

The Forester’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Rogue Sport’s power window (except driver window) switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The Forester’s LED headlights produce a whiter, brighter light (up to 3x) using five times less power than the Rogue Sport’s standard halogen headlights. LED lights also light instantly and last over twenty times longer than halogen.

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

When the Forester Touring is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The Rogue Sport’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

The Forester’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 Sport offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Both the Forester and the Rogue Sport offer available heated front seats. The Forester Touring also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Rogue Sport.

Recommendations

Both are recommended, but Consumer Reports® chose the Subaru Forester as its “Top Pick,” the highest scoring vehicle in its category, based on reliability, safety and performance.