2018 Toyota RAV4 vs Nissan Rogue | Peter Boulware Toyota
Specs at a Glance
2018 Toyota RAV4
Engine Power
176hp
Cargo Space
38.4 cu.ft.
2018 Nissan Rogue
Engine Power
170hp
Cargo Space
32.0 cu.ft.
2018 Toyota RAV4 vs 2018 Nissan Rogue
Serving Tallahassee, Panama City, and Marianna, FL
The Toyota RAV4 and the Nissan Rogue are among the top sellers in the compact SUV segment. Both manufacturers have managed to build excellent cars around the key competences that drivers demand from their compact crossovers, including performance, versatility and safety. Each of the two is attractive in its own way, and brings a few unique features that distinguish it from the rest of the segment. But when it comes to these core metrics that customers judge compact crossovers by, which of the two cars makes for a better buy? We’ve taken the newest models from each manufacturer – the 2018 Toyota RAV4 and the 2018 Nissan Rogue – and compared them based on their performance, versatility and safety to determine which one makes for a better buy.
Performance
A compact crossover offers several key advantages over a larger, conventional SUV design, with the biggest being a more fun driving experience. That is a factor of both power output, but also the responsiveness of the car. The two cars are fairly close in terms of pure horsepower, with the 2018 RAV4 rated at 176 horsepower and the 2018 Rogue at 170 horsepower. However, the two are worlds apart in terms of their responsiveness. The RAV4 is equipped with a quick-shifting six-speed automatic transmission that eagerly downshifts when you press the gas pedal. The Rogue’s continuously variable transmission, on the other hand, feels reluctant to push the car even is spirited driving. This makes the Toyota RAV4 much more fun to drive than its Nissan Rogue rival.
Versatility
Another winning aspect of the compact crossover is its ability to carry out a variety of tasks. Not only can these cars carry passengers, but they also come with large cargo compartments and can be used for other utility tasks without missing a beat. Both the 2018 Nissan Rogue and the 2018 Toyota RAV4 have some of the largest cargo capacities in the compact crossover segment. The Rogue can carry up to 70 cubic feet of cargo, while the RAV4 can fit up to 73.4 cubic feet. This narrow edge breaks even further in favor of the RAV4 when you examine the cars’ towing abilities. The 2018 Rogue can tow up to 1,000 pounds, allowing you to pull a small trailer. The 2018 RAV4, when equipped with the towing package, can pull over three times as much with a maximum of 3,500 pounds
Safety
A strong dedication to safety is practically a requirement for every compact crossover given how safety-conscious the customers in that segment are. So it is not a surprise to see both the 2018 Toyota RAV4 and the 2018 Nissan Rogue take home awards for their safety. Both cars are rated as a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety with ‘Good’ scores on all of the Institute’s traditional tests and ‘Superior’ grades for their active safety measures. The federal regulators however, score the two cars differently. After doing their own crash testing, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration also gives the 2018 RAV4 a top score: five out of five stars. The 2018 Rogue, on the other hand, did not fare as well. With a four-star overall rating, it falls slightly behind the Toyota when it comes to safety.
With so many strong contenders in the compact SUV class, it can be difficult to pick out the best ones, but the 2018 Toyota RAV4 manages to stand out with its excellent performance characteristics, good versatility and top-ranking safety credentials. You can try it out when you visit our dealership. Schedule a test-drive today and discover for yourself why this excellent vehicle has been a hit!