Compare the2023 Kia Sportage HybridVS 2023 Nissan Rogue

Both the Sportage Hybrid and Rogue have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Sportage Hybrid with Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Warning also has Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Rogue’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Sportage Hybrid 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, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive, blind spot warning systems and around view monitors.

The Sportage Hybrid 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.

Kia’s powertrain warranty covers the Sportage Hybrid 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.

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.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Kia vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Kia 6 places higher in reliability than Nissan.

The Sportage Hybrid’s 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 26 more horsepower (227 vs. 201) and 33 lbs.-ft. more torque (258 vs. 225) than the Rogue’s 1.5 turbo 3-cylinder.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Kia Sportage Hybrid is faster than the Nissan Rogue:

On the EPA test cycle the Sportage Hybrid gets better mileage than the Rogue:

Regenerative brakes improve the Sportage Hybrid’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Rogue doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Sportage Hybrid’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 doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The Sportage Hybrid has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver The fuel filler door is not lockable on the Rogue. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Kia Sportage Hybrid higher (7 out of 10) than the Nissan Rogue (6). This means the Sportage Hybrid produces up to 1.1 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Rogue every 15,000 miles.

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

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

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Sportage Hybrid’s wheelbase is 2 inches longer than on the Rogue (108.5 inches vs. 106.5 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Sportage Hybrid is 1.3 inches wider in the front and 1.4 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Rogue.

For greater off-road capability the Sportage Hybrid has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Rogue (8.3 vs. 8.2 inches), allowing the Sportage Hybrid to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The front grille of the Sportage Hybrid 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 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Sportage Hybrid has .7 inches more front hip room, .4 inches more front shoulder room and 2.8 inches more rear legroom than the Rogue.

The Sportage Hybrid has a much larger cargo volume than the Rogue with its rear seat up (39.5 vs. 31.6 cubic feet).

The Sportage Hybrid’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Rogue’s (2000 vs. 1500 pounds).

Standard Trailer Stability Assist on the Sportage Hybrid 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 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The Sportage Hybrid EX/SX-Prestige’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’s passenger windows don’t open or close automatically.

On a hot day the Sportage Hybrid’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.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the Sportage Hybrid SX-Prestige to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Rogue doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Sportage Hybrid SX-Prestige 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.

The Sportage Hybrid has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning is only available on the Rogue SV/SL/Platinum.

The Sportage Hybrid SX-Prestige’s Smart Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Smart Parking Assist will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The Rogue doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Kia Sportage Hybrid and the Nissan Rogue, based on reliability, safety and performance.