2022 Hyundai Santa Fe vs Nissan Rogue

When browsing around for a new small SUV, you might be shocked to learn just how many of them are on the market right now. This is an extremely competitive market, and in it, small SUVs are all trying to best one another in terms of power, fuel economy, and equipped technological features. The 2022 Nissan Rogue and 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe are two such rivals that will probably end up on your to-best-test-driven list.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe gives you a ton of standard features for the money. Coupled with a lengthy warranty, the Santa Fe's snappy acceleration from the 2.5-L turbo engine and smoothly-operating advanced driver aids lend a lot of value to this vehicle. The suspension, however, is way too soft for the liking, and the optional 10.25-inch touchscreen display is slow to respond to inputs.

Since it was just overhauled for a whole new current generation, the 2022 Nissan Rogue gives buyers a vehicle that strikes a solid balance between power and fuel economy. Its EPA rated 33 miles per gallon in combined city and highway driving on the front-wheel drive (FWD) equipped base Rogue is undeniably appealing to buyers.

When Nissan redesigned the Rogue for the 2021 model year, they decked the vehicle out with all of the latest and greatest tech features they had available. Sure, it comes with a slightly elevated price tag compared to its rivals, but the 2022 Nissan Rogue gives its owners an abundance of standard tech features and driver aids. What's more, the Rogue delivers an utterly comfy and smooth ride quality coupled with perfectly sculpted front seats. Add to that the fact that the cargo area is spacious and designed for the utmost in versatility. To top it all off, the list of advanced driver aids is long and user-friendly.

There are a few downsides to owning the Rogue, especially when it comes to exterior noise. It does let in a good amount of road and wind noise when zipping along on the highway. Additionally, the wonky voice recognition system and cramped back seats detract from this SUV's overall value and buyer appeal.

So, which one of these two small SUVs is going to best meet your family's unique needs the best? Does one offer more overall value than the other? Which price tag fits into your budget the best? Read through this comparison review to learn more.

The Powertrain

When it boils right down to it, a strong powertrain can make owning a small SUV a delightful one. You won't need to fret over or spend too much time planning how you're going to merge onto or pass another vehicle on the highway. But an under-powered powertrain can leave you feeling as though you're just getting left in the dust by every other vehicle on the road.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe is powered by a 2.5-liter four cylinder engine that puts forth 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque. This engine is paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission. FWD is standard on each trim, but you can get AWD if you want it. On the Limited trim, you get a stronger turbo 2.5-liter four-cylinder that gets 281 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque.

The higher-powered turbo engine can get the Santa Fe from 0 to 60 mph in 6.6 seconds, which is quite snappy. Power delivery, though, is inconsistent and unrefined when you aren't asking for constant power. Also, the transmission is tuned to seek out the highest possible gears, and that can be annoying. The Santa Fe doesn't feel as grounded as the Mazda CX-5 while rounding through turns, but steering makes for ease maneuvering at slower speeds.

With the upgraded turbo engine and AWD, the Santa Fe gets an EPA estimated 24 mpg combined. This is a good showing, but what's better is that real-world tests actually put this fuel economy rating at 27-28 mpg combined. And you can bet the FWD-equipped base engine gets even better fuel efficiency.

As a totally new feature for the model year, the 2022 Nissan Rogue is powered by a standard 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine thatgenerates a higher power output (of 201 horsepower and 225 lb-ft of torque) than its predecessor, which was notoriously under-powered and lackluster in terms of performance.
A continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) is matched to this newly designed engine. Front-wheel drive (FWD) in standard as the drivetrain, but all-wheel drive (AWD) can be swapped in on any of the Rogue's trim levels. It is important to remember that you cannot choose from any other powertrain on the Rogue - this is the only one available.

The brand-new Nissan Rogue is composed and smooth with how it handles turns even though it is not nearly so sporty as the 2022 Mazda CX-5. Nevertheless, there is enough bulk in the Rogue's steering to keep the steering and handling from feeling overly floaty. The powertrain could still be better, sure, but the outgoing model was definitely more sluggish.
It does take the new engine about 9 seconds to get the Rogue from 0 to 60 miles per hour, but this amount of time really is about average for a small crossover SUV like the Rogue. Just bear in mind that it can feel a tad draining when you have to drive the Rogue every day of the week. You will need to push the accelerator into full throttle just so that you can receive a reasonable power response for merging or passing other vehicles on the highway. Be sure to plan your actions a tad ahead of time, but all in all, the engine could be - and once was - a lot worse.

When AWD is equipped, the Rogue receives an EPA estimated 28 mpg in combined city and highway driving. These estimates place the Rogue about 2 mpg above what most of the chief competitors in this segment are able to get. Real-world tests uphold these EPA estimates, which, given the rising cost of gasoline, should appeal to quite a few buyers - especially those who are still hesitant about buying a hybrid or all-electric vehicle (EV).

Drivability

Drivability is an umbrella term that we use to describe how well-rounded a vehicle's design is for daily driving. How comfortable is a vehicle to ride in? Is the ride quality smooth enough? Are the interior materials high enough quality? Is everything inside the cabin logically laid out? Are the tech features functional as expected? How much cargo space is available, and how effortless is it to use These are some of the biggest factors we talk about when considering a vehicle's drivability.

There is no doubt that the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe is drivable. Its suspension does lead to a bit of a wallowing ride that you might wish had more refinement. However, the front seats are incredibly comfortable and sculpted for support. The front dual-pane front windows keep exterior sound to a minimum, which puts the quietude levels near luxury level. Adjusting the climate controls is simple.

Legroom is abundant inside this cabin, and the controls up front are smartly laid out with plenty of physical knobs and buttons. The door sills are massive and make it easy to get in and out. The rear window is big enough to make outward visibility clear to the point where you don't have to rely on the rear-view camera. The side-mirrors mounted onto the door give you a good view of your vehicle's blind spots too.

Technology is mostly good, but that available 10.25-inch touchscreen display is worth passing over. It isn't all that responsive, and the premium sound system only delivers an adequate experience. CarPlay only takes up about 2/3 of the 10.25-inch touchscreen, which is kind of odd. But smartphone app integration is standard. The spring-loaded wireless charging pad is cleverly designed for saving space.

Underfloor bins and the 36.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats help make the Santa Fe a spacious enough one for cargo. The remote seat releases are super helpful, and you get a better-than-average 3,500-pund max towing capacity when properly equipped.

Now, what makes the 2022 Nissan Rogue such a cozy SUV to ride in? Well, the front seats are plushily padded for support and relaxation. If you love road-tripping, these seats are bound to provide you with plenty of comfort. There rear seats come with two reclining positions and are sculpted with ample lumbar support.
The comfort-tuned suspension delivers a smooth ride quality, and it is able to rapidly dispatch a variety of road imperfections, no problem. Even when you equip the optional 19-inch wheels, the suspension is able to get rid of all sizes of bumps and ruts in the road.

Of course, like any vehicle, the 2022 Rogue has its share of pitfalls when it comes to the ride itself. You will get a moderate amount of wind and road noise inside of the cabin when you get the vehicle up to speed on the highway. But the tri-zone climate control system on the SL trim level and above is a rarity for small SUVs lingering outside of the luxury segment. And it happens to work quite well. Airflow is evenly distributed regardless of whether you are sitting up front or in the rear seats.

Since it has wide door sills, getting in and out of the Rogue feels easy-peasy for most folks. The cavernous cabin has an open and airy vibe to it, leading you to believe that it is even bigger than it is in reality. Additionally, you will be able to see clearly in front of the Rogue from your seat behind the wheel due to the wide glass panes all around.
The downside? There are some thick rear roof pillars that will require you to use the advanced driver aids to see out the back and blind spots. The Rogue's cabin has a clean, crisp, and modern design that utilizes high quality materials. On top of that, the Rogue's layout is straightforward for easy use. Space is generous, but rear seat leg room is tighter than it is the likes of the Honda CR-V.

The Rogue has become a true leader in this segment due to how much standard tech it now equips. When the Rogue was redesigned in 2021, Nissan gave it a lot of cool new tech gadgetry that is known for being user-friendly and functional. Smartphone app integration via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is standard on each trim level.
SiriusXM Satellite Radio compatibility is also standard, so you can opt to subscribe to it after the free trial period ends. The base S trim has two USB ports, but upgrading one trim level to the SV adds two charge-only ports to the rear seats. WIFI hot-spot connectivity and a six-speaker audio system are also standard on the SV and above.
The SL Premium package tacks on voice controls, wireless Apple CarPlay (sorry, though - wireless Android Auto is not yet available on the Rogue), a 10-speaker Bose premium audio system, a 9-inch touchscreen display, and an integrated navigation system. Buying all the way up to the Platinum adds on all of those features plus a wireless charging pad and a sleek digital instrumentation panel.

Nissan maximizes the space it is able to give the Rogue, which makes it feel like one of the most spacious cabins in this segment. In the cargo area, there is a nifty space-saving two-tier cargo management system which Nissan calls the Divide-N-Hide. With this in play, the cargo area gets a dual-panel floor that creates more versatility with the flat load floor that can store bigger cargo without blocking rear visibility. When these panels are set into the lowest position, cargo space rings in at 36.5 cubic feet, which is only slightly smaller than average for this segment. However, when you fold the rear seats down, cargo space maxes out at 74.1 cubic feet - one of the largest cargo areas found in this class.

Safety

For most drivers, safety is a major concern. Auto makers are well aware of the demand for enhanced safety features and designs. Both Hyundai and Nissan know how to craft their driver aids and include quite a few of them on their vehicles.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe offers a bundle of standard driver aids. Included in said suite are features like adaptive cruise control, a driver attention warning, forward collision warning, and lane keeping assist. Blue Link connected services come on the SEL, and the Convenience package adds a rear seat reminder. The full lane keep system comes starting with the Premium package. The popular Limited trim adds a surround-view camera system, a blind spot camera, rain-sensing wipers, and an automated parking system. A head-up display adorns the line-topping Calligraphy.

Nissan gives the 2022 Rogue a suite of standard driver aids named the Nissan Safety Shield. This bundles together features like forward collision mitigation, lane departure warning, a blind spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert, a rear-passenger safe exit system, and rear automatic braking. On the SV trim level, you will also get lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and a 360-degree camera system. The SL Premium package adds on front and rear parking sensors, and a handy-dandy head-up display comes along on the Platinum trim level.

For the most part, Nissan's driver aids all seem to work well given that Nissan fine-tuned them for the 2021 overhaul. In fact, the Rogue's new lane centering assist and adaptive cruise control are apparently much less likely to give out false warnings than similar features found on other vehicles. Owners even write in their reviews that these features lend to some peace of mind while driving. There is one odd glitch with how adaptive cruise control fails to communicate with the nav system to slow the Rogue down to prepare it for oncoming curves.

Which Has the Best Value?

Value is something buyers need to think about as they finalize their purchasing decisions. Which vehicle has the most value packed into it? Test-driving a vehicle can only tell you so much. That's why buyers should always inquire into pricing, warranty coverage, and how current or previous owners rate these vehicles in their online reviews.

Hyundai is no slouch when it comes to packing in a ton of value. The warranty coverage is a superb five-year/60,000-mile basic warranty and 10-year/100,000-mile for the powertrain. When it comes to the price, the amount of features you get is well balanced. Even the Calligraphy is able to undercut the line-topping trims on the Rogue and other small SUVs. The only thing is that most competitors offer stronger powertrain options.

2022 Nissan Rogue owners reap plenty of value given how many standard tech features and driver aids come with it. The long list of features means that the Rogue is more expensive than some top rivals, but its available quilted leather and wireless smartphone app integration on the Platinum trim help justify a higher price tag. Most buyers don't settle for the Rogue's base trim, so plan to dig a bit deeper into your budget to get a more well-equipped Rogue trim level. Warranty coverage is industry standard. However, the quality of materials found inside of the cabin is better than what comes in many of the Rogue's competitors.

Which is Better?

While the 2022 Nissan Rogue is a standout performer thanks to the revisions from 2021 and the new engine, you get an even better deal from the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe. Hyundai's warranty coverage is unparalleled (save for what its corporate cousin Kia offers), and you get a massive list of features for the reasonable price. The Rogue has the best seats, to be sure, but the Santa Fe's are also supportive and enjoyable. We only wish that the Santa Fe's suspension was a bit more refined.