Nissan’s two most popular midsize SUVs are the handsome and modern-looking Rogue and the rugged and practical Pathfinder. The Rogue looks more fetching and slightly more fun to drive, but the Pathfinder has established a reputation as a tried-and-true family vehicle with decent (though not great) off-roading chops.

We hear all this talk about subcompact this, and compact that—but not all SUVs are teeny-weeny in size. Nissan offers two solid midsize options if you’re not cool with driving something known as a “crossover”—to each their own. Both the good-looking Rogue and the capable Pathfinder give SUV drivers looking for a bit more heft two midsize SUVs to get excited about.

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, the

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super app, has put together this handy guide to Nissan’s two most popular midsize SUVs. We’ll also see how they measure up against some rival midsize options—and we’ll even give you a few tips on how to save on

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Does Nissan have a midsize SUV?

Yes—and we’re going to give the once-over to their two midsize options, the

two-row Rogue

and the

three-row Pathfinder

. Below them in Nissan’s lineup is the compact

Nissan Kicks

, and above all three of them is the imposing, full-size

Nissan Armada

What makes a midsize SUV?

This can often depend on the carmaker. Unlike with passenger cars, automakers aren’t as stringent with their classifications when it comes to SUVs. The best way to think about it is that midsize SUVs are bigger than subcompact and compact SUVs, but smaller than full-size SUVs. Easy enough, right?

Is the Nissan Murano a midsize SUV?

This is a bit of a tricky one—the Nissan Murano looks like a crossover, with its sloping roofline and sleek construction. In certain lights, it looks downright coupe-like. So, is it a crossover? An SUV? A futuristic wagon? Despite the Murano’s automotive androgyny, it has a technical classification as a crossover so we’ve left it out of this comparison.

MORE:

Nissan tune-up cost

Rogue vs. Pathfinder: which is the best midsize Nissan SUV?

Ok, let’s take a gander at Nissan’s two midsize SUVs, the Rogue and the Pathfinder. The Rogue feels distinctly more urban, versus the Pathfinder’s more suburban flair, but both are capable midsize SUVs. There is a significant price difference between the two, with the Rogue being more accessible than the Pathfinder, especially as the latter gets more expensive the higher up the trim ladder you go.

2023 Nissan Rogue

MSRP range: $28,655 to $38,435

MPG: 29-30 city/32-33 hwy

Seating for: 5 passengers

The Nissan Rogue might look rough and tumble with its muscular facade, but its on-road demeanor is much more suited for serene city driving. Actually, the Rogue’s driving experience is kind of…well…boring—and definitely

not suited for off-road driving

. But it makes up for that in other ways.

All Rogue trim lines are powered by a turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine with 201 horsepower. It’s mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT) with standard front-wheel drive, though all-wheel drive is optional. The Rogue goes from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 7.4 seconds,and though its handling may not excite you, it does offer some mildly peppy acceleration.

The Rogue is a star when it comes to safety—or should we say 5-star, nabbing a 5-star overall safety rating from the

National Highway Transportation Safety Administration

(NHTSA). The Rogue did get four stars for rollover, where it was rated to have a 17.9% chance of tipping over, but the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) named the Rogue a Top Safety Pick+.

No matter the Rogue trim you hop into, you’ll find a fresh and modern interior, full of useful storage cubbies, an intuitive, bi-level dashboard, and a squared-off shift knob. You’ll have to step up to the higher trim lines if you want an extra fancy Rogue with such niceties as semi-aniline hide leather upholstery, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel.

Highlights include:

Standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

72 cubic feet of cargo space with rear seats folded down

Bose audio system, in-dash navigation, wireless charging pad, larger 10.8-inch touchscreen and 12.3-inch digital cluster gauge all available

All-wheel drive optional

Weaknesses include:

Bland driving manner

Upper trims get pricey

No third row

MORE:

2022 Nissan Rogue configurations

2023 Nissan Pathfinder

MSRP range: $36,295 to $49,265

MPG: 21 city/26 hwy/23 combined

Seating for: Up to 8 passengers

If you want a midsize SUV with more room than the Rogue, let us introduce you to the Nissan Pathfinder. This rig offers three rows of seating for up to eight passengers, more storage space, rugged good looks, and a maximum towing capacity of 6,000 pounds. That said, the Pathfinder is only decent when it comes to off-roading.

Nissan’s larger midsize SUV is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine boasting 284 horsepower and mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. If you want more power, you’ll have to upgrade to the Rock Creek trim, which sports the same engine tuned to 295 horsepower. The Pathfinder’s drive is smooth and quiet, but the handling can be a bit stiff.

All Pathfinders come standard with rear-wheel drive, though all-wheel drive is available. Considering its power advantage over the Rogue, it shouldn’t be surprising that the Pathfinder scoots from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 6.7 seconds with rear-wheel drive, and 6.6 seconds with all-wheel drive.

In terms of safety, the 2023 Pathfinder was crowned a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS. That said, the NHTSA gave the Pathfinder just four stars overall for safety, with four stars for frontal crash impact, but 5 stars for side impact.

Like the Rogue, you’ll find a modern and stylish interior in the Pathfinder, and it's comfortable across all three rows. The second-row bench seat can be swapped out for two captains' chairs, though doing this will reduce the Pathfinder’s capacity to 7 occupants.

Highlights include:

Lots of useful storage options

Whisper-quiet cabin

Rugged styling

Modern and intuitive interior

Seats up to 8 occupants

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard

WiFi hotspot, wireless charging pad, and 13-speaker Bose audio system are available

Weaknesses include:

Drive is not the most exciting

Despite its appearance, the Pathfinder isn’t really designed for off-roading

Upper trims can get pricey, quick

MORE:

2022 Nissan Pathfinder car insurance costs

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2023 Nissan Rogue vs. 2023 Nissan Pathfinder comparison

	2023 Nissan Rogue	2023 Nissan Pathfinder
Starting MSRP	$28,695	$36,295
Seating capacity	Five	Seven or eight
Fuel economy	32 combined mpg	23 combined mpg
Base engine	turbocharged 1.5-liter 3 cylinder (201 hp, 225 lb-ft of torque)	3.5-liter V6 (284 hp, 259 lb-ft of torque)
Total cargo volume	72 cubic feet	79.8 cubic feet
Maximum towing capacity	1,500 lbs	3,500 lbs
NHTSA safety rating	Five stars	Four stars
Reliability scores	4/5 (RepairPal)	3.5/5 (RepairPal)

The bottom line

The best Nissan midsize SUV for you will come down to your space needs. Both SUVs are comparable in terms of performance, though the Pathfinder is faster—an advantage that will cost you more upfront. The Rogue wins out on price, safety, and is a bit more reliable as well, so we’d go for the value-packed Rogue if you don’t need the space.

MORE:

Are Nissans expensive to maintain?

Best midsize SUV competitors

It's always good to see what else is out there before you marry yourself off to the midsize SUV of your choice. Here are some comparable alternatives to the Rogue and Pathfinder:

2023

Mazda CX-5

($27,975 starting MSRP): A refined and engaging driving experience to go along with a sophisticated interior at a reasonable price.

2023

Volkswagen Tiguan

($27,885 starting MSRP): Slick handling, stylish build, and roomy interior make the Tiguan a competitive midsize player.

2023

Kia Telluride

($37,025 starting MSRP): Throwing the Pathfinder crowd a bone with the Kia Telluride, which offers tons of value in terms of a spacious cabin, generous standard tech offerings, and high style.

How to save on Nissan insurance

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