Battle of the Crossover SUVS: Nissan Rogue vs. Mazda CX-5

October 1, 2018

Two boxers, one belt. There is absolutely no doubt whatsoever that both the Nissan Rogue and Mazda CX-5 are deserving champions. But when the gloves are on, which of these crossovers emerges as the winner at the final bell?
Let’s compare the scorecards for each model and investigate each of their strengths and weaknesses.

Rogue or CX-5, The Comparison

The Price Tag

Whenever making a hair-splitting comparative decision, the price of a product inevitably rises to the forefront of the discussion. Very simply, the Nissan Rogue costs less than the Mazda CX-5, and that is a staggering blow the supporters in the Mazda corner. We expect the base-level 2018 Rogue to retail for $24,000+ while the base-level 2018 CX-5 should retail for about $1,000 more. We know that a thousand bucks “ain’t what it used to be”, but it’s still a significant difference.

At the Pump

In regards to its fuel economy, the Rogue scores another uppercut on the economic front. The 2018 Rogue delivers an EPA-rated 29 miles per gallon combined city/highway, while the 2018 CX-5 is only expected to deliver 28 miles per gallon. That difference may seem minor, and it is, but when compiling together all of the miles throughout your tenure of ownership, your wallet can certainly feel the difference.

Hey Siri, Can You Connect?

In the battle of tech, however, Nissan has the advantage with an abundance of cool features like Apple CarPlay and Android smartphone integration. Conversely, this is a black eye (and a shocking oversight!) for the Mazda CX-5, which is normally considered among the more tech-forward models. The Nissan Rogue, thankfully and smartly, incorporates both into its base model.

Curb Appeal & Size

Functionally, other areas of comparison leave even smaller margins of difference. For example, both crossovers appear nearly identical to the untrained eye from the nosebleed section (thankfully, both are quite good-looking), and it feels nit-picky to draw other decisive lines in the sand. Between safety ratings, interior technology, performance, and comfort, both of these boxers (ahem, crossovers) pack a nearly equal punch and deliver nearly similar experiences in all categories. Therefore we score this round a draw.

And the Winner Is?

As crossovers continue to rapidly multiply in popularity, the bout between automakers to distinguish themselves in such a competitive market marches forward in the 12th round.
As a former driver of a crossover myself, I completely understand the appeal of driving one. As a working human, I also understand the appeal of keeping more money in my bank account, and that pushes my vote in an otherwise close fight toward the 2018 Nissan Rogue. Others agree with me, as the Rogue took home the Consumer Guide Automotive Best Buy Award.
It may be a technical knockout instead of a knockout, but a win is a win., The Rogue that stands victorious in the battle of the crossovers. Call Dick Hannah Nissan to schedule a test drive.