2024 Nissan Rogue vs 2025 Jeep Wrangler

The 2024 Nissan Rogue underwent its first major styling update since the 2021 model year, maintaining its lineup of S, SV, SL, and Platinum trims. The new design featured a larger grille that seamlessly integrated with the stack headlights and daytime running lights, which were signature elements of the Rogue. The rear fascia saw minor changes with redesigned inner taillight elements. The Rogue SV received a new 18-inch wheel design, while the Platinum trim boasted a 19-inch machined-finish wheel design and additional black exterior trim, with an optional black roof. Inside, the Rogue's dashboard was updated to accommodate a new 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, enhancing the vehicle's premium feel. The Rogue SV models received new materials throughout the interior, and the Platinum trim offered leather seats with quilted stitching and a new Chestnut brown color option, contributing to a luxurious cabin experience.

In contrast, the 2025 Jeep Wrangler Sport S hardtop, encountered during a rental experience in Honolulu, presented a rugged and utilitarian design. The black-on-black color scheme, while not ideal for a tropical climate, was overshadowed by the vehicle's open-air driving experience. The Wrangler was available in various trims, including Sport, Sport S, Willys, Sahara, Rubicon, Rubicon X, and Rubicon 392, with the latter featuring a powerful 470-horsepower 6.4-liter Hemi V8 engine. The Sport S model, priced at $49,175, included options like a black hardtop, Convenience Group, and a turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Despite its high price, the Wrangler's interior was functional, with a focus on durability and practicality. The vehicle's design paid homage to its military roots, emphasizing American freedom and off-road capability, making it a popular choice despite its lack of sophistication compared to modern vehicles.

The 2024 Nissan Rogue featured a unique 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine, part of Nissan's VC-Turbo lineup, which allowed it to vary its compression ratio for optimal power or fuel economy. This engine delivered 201 horsepower and 225 pound-feet of torque, outperforming competitors like the Honda CR-V and Subaru Forester. However, the Rogue's continuously variable transmission (CVT) was less impressive, as it was slow to transfer power to the wheels. The Rogue offered front-wheel drive as standard, with all-wheel drive available. While the engine's performance was commendable, the Rogue's suspension was firmer than expected, affecting ride quality without enhancing handling. Despite these drawbacks, the Rogue maintained a quiet cabin, although the exhaust note was less appealing.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler offered a choice between a 3.6-liter V6 engine with a six-speed manual transmission and a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The latter produced 270 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, offering a lively performance, especially at higher elevations. The turbocharged engine was also slightly more fuel-efficient, with an EPA rating of 21 mpg in combined driving. During a week-long evaluation in Hawaii, the Wrangler achieved an average fuel economy of 19.2 mpg. The Wrangler's off-road capabilities were well-suited to the Hawaiian terrain, with features like standard four-wheel drive, high ground clearance, and generous approach and departure angles. However, the Wrangler's ride was rough, and its steering felt disconnected, especially on highways. The vehicle's three-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA was a concern, emphasizing the need for caution when driving on slopes.

The 2024 Nissan Rogue offered competitive passenger space, similar to rivals like the Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson, Subaru Forester, and Toyota RAV4. The Rogue's cargo space was slightly less than the CR-V and Tucson but more than the Forester, with a maximum of 36.5 cubic feet with the rear seats in place and 74.1 cubic feet with the seats folded. The optional Divide-N-Hide system allowed for flexible cargo configurations, and the Rogue featured a power liftgate on SV models and a motion-activated liftgate on SL and Platinum trims. The center console provided additional storage options, although accessing the floor-level tray was somewhat awkward.

In contrast, the 2025 Jeep Wrangler's high ground clearance and narrow door openings made entry and exit challenging. The Sport S trim offered comfortable front seats with cloth upholstery, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel as part of the Convenience Group option. Rear-seat legroom was adequate, but taller passengers needed to be cautious of plastic hooks on the front seatbacks. Storage space was limited, with small items often ending up in cupholders due to the lack of other stash spaces. The Wrangler's cargo area was accessible through a tailgate and rear window, with a maximum capacity of 31.7 cubic feet, expandable to 72.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. However, accessing the cargo area could be cumbersome, especially with the spare tire mounted on the tailgate.

The 2024 Nissan Rogue featured an 8-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on lower trims, while SL and Platinum models received a 12.3-inch touchscreen with wireless connectivity and a digital instrument cluster. The Rogue was the first Nissan to offer Google built-in software, integrating Google Maps, Google Assistant, and the Google Play app store. However, connectivity was free for only five years, and a data plan was required for third-party apps. The dual 12.3-inch screen setup improved the infotainment experience, although the touchscreen was occasionally slow to boot up. The Rogue also offered multiple USB-C ports and a wireless charging pad on higher trims, with an extended free trial period for Nissan Connect Services.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler's Uconnect 5 infotainment system included a 12.3-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth connectivity, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio preparation. The Sport S trim featured a standard eight-speaker stereo, with an optional nine-speaker Alpine premium sound system. Jeep Connect provided access to a Wi-Fi hotspot, Adventure Guides, and GPS Trail Logs for off-road navigation. The touchscreen remained bright and easy to use, even with the roof panels removed. The Convenience Group pack added a 7-inch digital display, passive entry, and a remote engine starting system. Rear parking sensors were available in the Active Safety Group option pack, aiding in reversing.

The 2024 Nissan Rogue received favorable safety ratings, with top "Good" scores from the IIHS in various crash tests and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. Standard driver assist features included automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, lane departure warning, and automatic high beams. ProPilot Assist, Nissan's advanced driver assistance system, was available on higher trims, offering automated lane centering and adaptive cruise control.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler added side curtain airbags as standard equipment for front and rear seats. Advanced driver assistance systems were optional, with blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert available on most trims. Forward collision warning with automatic braking was standard on the Sahara trim. The Wrangler received a four-star frontal-impact rating and a three-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA. The IIHS awarded the Wrangler "Good" ratings for side-impact protection and moderate overlap frontal-impact tests, but a "Marginal" rating in the small overlap frontal-impact test due to the vehicle tipping onto its side.