Nissan Rogue vs Nissan Qashqai: What’s the Difference?

Nissan fans got a pleasant surprise in 2017 when the automaker extended its lineup with the Qashqai, a slightly smaller companion to the best-selling and newly redesigned Rogue. Beyond size, however, what’s the difference between the two models, and which one best suits your needs? As the leading Nissan dealer in Edmonton, we’ve got those answers as we take a closer look at two exceptional SUVs that offer outstanding value, capability, versatility, and affordability to drivers of all ages.

Which One Is Bigger?

The Rogue’s versatile cabin is ideal for growing families looking to balance efficiency with spaciousness. This is apparent in the Rogue’s interior measurements, with the 2021 model offering 99.6 cm of headroom and 97.8 cm of legroom in the second row. With the 60/40-split rear seat folded, the Nissan Rogue offers 2,098 litres of cargo space, but even with the rear seats up, you will enjoy 1,033 litres for your belongings.

For those who don’t need as much interior space and want a crossover that’s even more agile and efficient, the Qashqai is undeniably impressive. Even though the Rogue is slightly larger, the design of the Qashqai’s cabin maximizes passenger space and gives passengers in the second row 97.3 cm of headroom. Legroom is also comparable, with second-row passengers enjoying 84.8 cm of room. With the second row folded, there’s also plenty of room for cargo at 1,730 litres of space.

For those who don’t need as much interior space and want a crossover that’s even more agile and efficient, the Qashqai is undeniably impressive. Even though the Rogue is slightly larger, the design of the Qashqai’s cabin maximizes passenger space and gives passengers in the second row 973 mm of headroom. Legroom is also comparable, with second-row passengers enjoying 848 mm of room. With the second row folded, there’s also plenty of room for cargo at 1,730 litres of space.

Power and Efficiency

The differences in size between the Nissan Qashqai and Rogue reflect the different powertrains that you’ll find under the hood of each crossover. For 2022, Nissan equips the Qashqai with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with an advanced valve timing system that adjusts to your driving style to deliver the power you need exactly when you need it. This engine produces a total of 141 horsepower at 6,000 RPM and 147 lb-ft of torque at 4,400 RPM.

The Qashqai’s 2.0-litre engine is mated to Nissan’s Xtronic continuously variable transmission, which balances power and efficiency and gives the Qashqai its sporty driving style. As far as efficiency, what can you expect from the Qashqai? Nissan’s nimble crossover gets up to 7.3 L/100 km on the highway, requiring fewer stops for fuel and more time for adventure.

The Rogue’s larger size demands more power, and that’s why you’ll find a standard 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine under its hood for 2022. Delivering 181 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque, this engine gives you plenty of power whether you’re cruising down Highway 16, navigating rush-hour traffic, or running errands in downtown Edmonton. The Rogue also offers an optional 1.5-litre turbocharged engine with 201 horsepower and 225 lb-ft of torque, combined with an impressive fuel economy of up to 6.5 L/100 km on the highway.

Available Connectivity Features

You can expect the Qashqai and Rogue to offer similar connectivity, safety, and driver-assist technology to keep you connected, informed, and safe behind the wheel. This technology varies across each lineup based on the trim but is relatively uniform and undoubtedly impressive. You’ll find everything from Nissan’s Advanced Driver Assist Display to smartphone integration and navigation.

In the driver’s seat, you have access to an expansive driver-assist display that measures anywhere from 13 cm on the Qashqai S trim all the way up to 31 cm on the Rogue Platinum trim. The display puts vital information like turn-by-turn navigation and safety alerts within your immediate view. With a quick glance, you can also see Bluetooth audio track information and respond to text messages using the hands-free text messaging assistant.

Both crossovers are equipped with center touchscreen displays that are home to smartphone integration via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, giving you access to your favourite apps, contact list, and more in an intuitive layout. Depending on trim, the display may also be home to Nissan Door to Door Navigation, a vital tool that makes navigating the most efficient route easy and hassle-free even when Edmonton traffic is heavy. Additional tech features include an available Wi-Fi hotspot and access to NissanConnect Services, the latter of which gives you remote access to your crossover by allowing you to start and stop the engine, lock and unlock the doors, and more from an app on your smartphone.

Safety and Driver-Assist Tools

Nissan’s reputation as an early adopter of innovative technology goes hand-in-hand with its commitment to your safety when you’re on the road. This is apparent whether you get behind the wheel of the Qashqai or the Rogue, both of which offer an expansive collection of safety and driver-assist tools. At the heart of these tools is the Nissan Safety Shield 360 suite that comes standard on both models. The suite includes Intelligent Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, Rear Automatic Braking, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Blind Spot Warning, Lane Departure Warning, and High Beam Assist. These tools extend your visibility and actively minimize the potential for collision by alerting you to hazards in advance so that you have plenty of time to respond.

Depending on trim, you’ll find an array of advanced safety and driver-assist tools at your disposal. These include Nissan’s Intelligent Forward Collision Warning, Intelligent Driver Alertness, Intelligent Lane Intervention, and the remarkable ProPILOT Assist with Navi-link. ProPILOT Assist makes your time on the highway even easier whether you’re in the driver’s seat of the Qashqai or the Rogue. The tool eliminates the stress of highway driving by maintaining a safe cruising speed based on the flow of traffic ahead. Since it’s able to bring the crossover to a stop and safely reaccelerate, it even works in stop-and-go traffic.

Qashqai or Rogue? The Choice Is Yours

Just when you thought Nissan’s lineup of SUVs couldn’t get any better, the automaker proved otherwise with the introduction of the Qashqai in 2017. Designed as a smaller companion to the Rogue, the Qashqai has rightly earned its place in the Nissan fleet. Like the Rogue, it’s innovative, versatile, spacious, and agile.

Choosing between two exceptional crossovers like the Qashqai and the Rogue comes down to your individual needs. Both models share similar styling, connectivity features, and driver-assist technology. This makes it even more important to look at size, power, and efficiency to narrow your search. Do you need the versatility and spaciousness of the Rogue, or are you drawn to the Qashqai’s affordability and maneuverability?

Answering these questions comes down to visiting Northside Nissan and getting in the driver’s seat for a test drive so that you can experience everything each model has to offer. From there, our team can help you narrow your search. Just know that, whatever you decide, you’re in great hands with Nissan.