Find out the trim grades of the Rogue and RAV4 that pack the features you want in a compact SUV.
After pickup trucks, small SUVs are the bestselling vehicles in the United States. The Toyota RAV4, in particular, keeps rising to the top. This doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the best in its class, though. In some ways, the RAV4 relies on its reputation for reliability in the face of newer rivals.
The Nissan Rogue is a solid alternative with its own set of advantages and drawbacks. It’s priced very competitively against the RAV4 and is a bit more fuel efficient, too. Both of these gas-powered SUVs (Toyota also builds the RAV4 in hybrid and plug-in hybrid guises, neither of which is covered here) offer a lot of the same features as you climb through the trim levels, but there are some notable differences that could sway shoppers one way or the other. We’ve gone through the standard and available features to determine which vehicle might fit best into your life. Click through for the complete picture.
2023 Nissan Rogue S vs. 2023 Toyota RAV4 LE
The base models of the Nissan Rogue S and Toyota RAV4 LE are priced within $255 of each other, making for very close competition. Both of these models are well equipped with feature highlights that include LED headlights, tinted rear windows, cloth upholstery, satellite radio, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. On the safety front, both SUVs include a forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking system and automatic high-beam headlights.
2023 Nissan Rogue S: $28,655
The Nissan Rogue S goes just a step further by including standard features such as alloy wheels and an 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen while the RAV4 makes do with steel wheels with plastic covers and a 7.0-inch touchscreen. Additionally, the Nissan comes with a blind-spot monitoring system with rear cross-traffic alert, rear automatic braking, and an anti-theft system.
2023 Toyota RAV4 LE: $28,910
The RAV4 LE’s features list isn’t quite as generous as the Rogue S’s, but it still manages to include a few standard features the Nissan does without. Adaptive cruise control is the most significant, but you also get a traffic sign reader, one more USB port between the front seats, trailer sway control, emergency telematics, and a WiFi hotspot. The RAV4 also benefits from lane-keep assist, which is an upgrade over the Rogue’s lane-departure warning system. The former will attempt to keep the vehicle within its lane, the latter merely alerts the driver to the fact the vehicle is no longer in its lane.
2023 Nissan Rogue SV vs. 2023 Toyota RAV4 XLE
Stepping up to the next trim level adds a few common convenience features. The Rogue SV and RAV4 XLE are a mere $75 apart and both add heated mirrors, a proximity key, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a power driver’s seat, among other things.
2023 Nissan Rogue SV: $30,345
Opting for the Rogue SV also nets buyers 18-inch wheels and a blind-spot intervention system that will actively attempt to prevent the compact SUV from changing lanes into another vehicle. Nissan’s Level 2 driver-assist system is also included. It combines lane centering with adaptive cruise control
2023 Toyota RAV4 XLE: $30,420
The RAV4 XLE’s added features aren’t as notable as the Rogue SV’s, but you still get a handful of items that you won’t get with the Nissan. This includes roof rails, sliding sun visor extensions, and an additional 12-volt power outlet.
2023 Nissan Rogue SL vs. 2023 Toyota RAV4 XLE Premium
When you get to the midrange Rogue SL and RAV4 XLE Premium trims, the price difference widens, with the Toyota enjoying a $1695 advantage. The Rogue SL includes a lot more niceties, which arguably justifies its higher price. Both the Rogue SL and RAV4 XLE Premium come with 19-inch wheels, LED foglights, a sunroof, and a power liftgate.
2023 Nissan Rogue SL: $35,005
The Rogue SL includes a hands-free power liftgate, as well as heated front seats, second-row sunshades, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, driver’s seat memory functions, a power-adjustable passenger’s seat, leather upholstery, and a surround-view camera system. SL buyers also get Nissan’s Divide-N-Hide cargo management feature with configurable shelves and dividers.
2023 Toyota RAV4 XLE Premium: $33,310
The RAV4 XLE Premium offers fewer features and niceties relative to the Rogue SL. That said, vegans and shoppers looking to reduce their environmental impact may prefer this iteration of the RAV4 as it forgoes genuine leather for Toyota’s SofTex synthetic substitute,.
2023 Nissan Rogue Platinum vs. 2023 Toyota RAV4 Limited
The top-of-the-line Rogue Platinum and RAV4 Limited upgrade to larger 9.0-inch touchscreen infotainment setups and add premium audio systems to the mix (Bose for the Nissan, JBL for the Toyota). The trims also include front and rear parking sensors. The Rogue Platinum costs $1220 more than the RAV4 Limited, but that many nets it a number of additional features.
2023 Nissan Rogue Platinum: $38,435
The range-topping Platinum trim tops the Rogue’s features list with an in-dash navigation system, a digital instrument panel, Amazon Alexa integration, premium leather upholstery, and a wireless charging pad. The optional Platinum Premium package adds a head-up display, heated rear seats, and tri-zone automatic climate control.
2023 Toyota RAV4 Limited: $37,215
If you want ventilated front seats, the top RAV4 Limited is your only choice as this feature is not offered in any Rogue, regardless of trim. The same holds true for the Toyota’s optional camera-fed rearview mirror that allows drivers to see what’s behind them even if the rear window is blocked by cargo.
And the Rest …
If you’re looking to spice things up with either the Rogue or RAV4, there are a few special models to help you. The Rogue offers a dark-themed Midnight Edition, while the RAV4’s special models have a distinctly different outward-bound flavor with some features and upgrades to help you enjoy the great outdoors.
2023 Nissan Rogue Midnight Edition: $31,880
The Rogue Midnight Edition’s feature content is closely aligned with the Rogue SV trim. The key differentiator is its blacked-out trim, which contrasts with either gray or white paint or complements a coat of black paint for a monotone look. Specific blacked-out features include the compact SUV’s grille, 18-inch wheels, bumper decor, mirror caps, roof rails, and badging. The Midnight Edition also includes trim-specific synthetic leather that covers the SUV’s seats.
2023 Toyota RAV4 Adventure: $35,605
The RAV4 Adventure shares the majority of its feature content with the RAV4 XLE Premium. Notably missing from the Adventure, though, is a sunroof and power-operated liftgate. So, what does the Adventure’s $2295 fee net it? Well, there’s standard all-wheel drive (a $1400 option on the XLE Premium), fatter fender flares, taller roof rails, multiple off-road driving modes, and a hill-descent control system. The Adventure ought to offer a wee bit more capability than the average RAV4, but don’t plan on taking it too far off the beaten path.
2023 Toyota RAV4 TRD Off-Road: $39,030
The all-wheel-drive RAV4 TRD Off-Road may not match a Jeep Wrangler’s off-road capabilities, but this variant of Toyota’s compact SUV offers enough off-road chops for most compact SUV consumers. Credit the likes of 18-inch wheels wrapped in meaty all-terrain tires and a trim-specific suspension tuning that caters to off-road driving. Opting for the TRD Off-Road also nets a sunroof and power-operated liftgate: two items missing from the Adventure’s list of standard features.
Keyword: Trim Pickings: 2023 Nissan Rogue vs. 2023 Toyota RAV4