The Highlander Limited's optional pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Rogue doesn't offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The Highlander has standard Whiplash Injury Lessening Seats, which use a specially designed seat to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash Injury Lessening Seats system allows the backrest to travel backwards to cushion the occupants and the headrests move forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Rogue doesn't offer a whiplash protection system.

The Highlander Limited offers optional Pre-Collision System, which use forward mounted sensors to warn the driver of a possible collision ahead. If the driver doesn't react and the system determines a collision is imminent, it automatically applies the brakes at full-force in order to reduce the force of the crash or avoid it altogether. The Rogue offers an available collision warning system without the automated brake feature that would prevent or reduce the collision if the driver fails to react.

To help make backing safer, the Highlander Limited/Platinum's cross-path warning system uses wide-angle radar in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The Rogue doesn't offer a cross-path warning system.

The Highlander Limited offers optional Safety Connect™, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to help track down your vehicle if it's stolen or send emergency personnel to the scene if any airbags deploy. The Rogue doesn't offer a GPS response system, only a navigation computer with no live response for emergencies, so if you're involved in an accident and you're incapacitated help may not come as quickly.

Both the Highlander and the Rogue have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front-wheel drive, height-adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems and rear parking sensors.

The Toyota Highlander weighs 529 to 1115 pounds more than the Nissan Rogue. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Toyota Highlander is safer than the Nissan Rogue:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Toyota Highlander is safer than the Nissan Rogue:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

For its top level performance in the IIHS moderate overlap frontal impact, side impact, rear impact, roof-crush crash tests, an “Acceptable” rating in the newer small overlap frontal crash test, and with its optional front crash prevention system, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Highlander its highest rating: “Top Pick Plus” for 2015, a rating granted to only 64 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Rogue is only a standard “Top Pick” for 2015.

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the Highlander for 2 years and 25000 miles. Toyota will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Nissan doesn't pay scheduled maintenance for the Rogue.

There are over 11 percent more Toyota dealers than there are Nissan dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Highlander's warranty.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without their vehicle while it's being repaired. Consumer Reports predicts that the Highlander's reliability will be 52% better than the Rogue.

J.D. Power and Associates' 2015 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are better in initial quality than Nissan vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota 9th in initial quality, above the industry average. With 17 more problems per 100 vehicles, Nissan is ranked 20th, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates' 2015 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota third in reliability, above the industry average. With 17 more problems per 100 vehicles, Nissan is ranked 12th.

The Highlander LE's standard 2.7 DOHC 4 cyl. produces 15 more horsepower (185 vs. 170) and 9 lbs.-ft. more torque (184 vs. 175) than the Rogue's 2.5 DOHC 4 cyl. The Highlander's optional 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 100 more horsepower (270 vs. 170) and 73 lbs.-ft. more torque (248 vs. 175) than the Rogue's 2.5 DOHC 4 cyl.

As tested in Motor Trend the Toyota Highlander V6 is faster than the Nissan Rogue:

The Highlander has 4.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the Rogue (19.2 vs. 14.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

For better stopping power the Highlander's brake rotors are larger than those on the Rogue:

The Highlander stops shorter than the Rogue:

For better traction, the Highlander has larger tires than the Rogue (245/60R18 vs. 225/65R17).

The Highlander's standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Rogue S/SV's standard 65 series tires. The Highlander Limited's tires have a lower 55 series profile than the Rogue SL's 60 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Highlander has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Rogue S/SV. The Highlander Limited's 19-inch wheels are larger than the 18-inch wheels on the Rogue SL.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Highlander's wheelbase is 3.3 inches longer than on the Rogue (109.8 inches vs. 106.5 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Highlander is 1.6 inches wider in the front and 1.4 inches wider in the rear than on the Rogue.

The Highlander's front to rear weight distribution is more even (53% to 47%) than the Rogue's (56.9% to 43.1%). This gives the Highlander more stable handling and braking.

The Highlander XLE AWD handles at .81 G's, while the Rogue SL AWD pulls only .77 G's of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Highlander XLE AWD executes Motor Trend's “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.1 seconds quicker than the Rogue SL AWD (27.8 seconds @ .62 average G's vs. 28.9 seconds @ .58 average G's).

For greater off-road capability the Highlander has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Rogue (8 vs. 7.6 inches), allowing the Highlander to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Highlander has standard seating for 8 passengers; the Rogue can only carry up to 7.

The Highlander has 18.4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Rogue (144.9 vs. 126.5).

The Highlander has 1.2 inches more front legroom, 3.2 inches more front hip room, 2.7 inches more front shoulder room, 1.4 inches more rear headroom, .5 inches more rear legroom, 5 inches more rear hip room, 3.7 inches more rear shoulder room, 1.3 inches more third row headroom, 3.6 inches more third row hip room and 5.7 inches more third row shoulder room than the Rogue.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Highlander's middle and third row seats recline. The Rogue's third row seats don't recline.

The Highlander's cargo area provides more volume than the Rogue.

A standard locking glovebox keeps your small valuables safer in the Highlander. The Rogue doesn't offer locking storage for small valuables.

The Highlander's optional rear cargo window opens separately from the rest of the liftgate door to allow quicker loading of small packages. The Rogue's rear cargo window doesn't open.

The Highlander's standard towing capacity is much higher than the Rogue's (1500 vs. 1000 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Nissan Rogue is only 1000 pounds. The Highlander offers up to a 5000 lbs. towing capacity.

To help each driver find a more comfortable driving position, the Highlander has a telescoping steering wheel. Much better than just a tilt steering wheel or adjustable seat, this allows a short driver to sit further from the steering wheel while maintaining contact with the pedals. The Rogue doesn't offer a telescoping steering wheel.

When different drivers share the Highlander Limited/Platinum, the memory seats and mirrors make it convenient. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver's seat position and outside mirror angle. The Rogue doesn't offer a memory system.

The Highlander's standard front power windows open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Rogue's passenger windows don't open or close automatically. The Highlander Limited/Platinum's front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches.

Consumer Reports rated the Highlander's headlight performance “Very Good,” a higher rating than the Rogue's headlights, which were rated “Good.”

The Highlander has a standard automatic headlight on/off feature. When the ignition is on, the headlights automatically turn on at dusk and off after dawn. The Rogue has an automatic headlight on/off feature standard only on the SV/SL.

While driving with high beams on, sensitive light sensors available for the Highlander Limited detect other vehicles which could be blinded and automatically switch to low beams. The Rogue doesn't offer automatic dimming high beams.

The Highlander's standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Heated mirrors cost extra on the Rogue and aren't offered on the Rogue S.

Both the Highlander and the Rogue offer available heated front seats. The Highlander Platinum also has standard heated second row seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated second row seats aren't available in the Rogue.

Standard air conditioned seats in the Highlander Limited/Platinum keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Rogue doesn't offer air conditioned seats.

On extremely cold Winter days, the Highlander Platinum's standard heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the vehicle heater warms up. The Rogue doesn't offer a heated steering wheel.

To keep a safe, consistent following distance, the Highlander Limited offers an optional Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, which alters the speed of the vehicle without driver intervention. This allows the driver to use cruise control more safely without constantly having to disengage it when approaching slower traffic. The Rogue doesn't offer an adaptive cruise control.

The Highlander XLE/Limited/Platinum has a 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Rogue doesn't offer a house-current electrical outlet.

Insurance will cost less for the Highlander owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Highlander will cost $540 less than the Rogue over a five-year period.

The Highlander will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. Kiplinger's estimates that the Highlander will retain a greater percentage of its original price after three and five years than the Rogue.

The Toyota Highlander has won recognition from these important consumer publications:

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Highlander second among midsize suvs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner's expectations. The Rogue isn't in the top three in its category.

Strategic Vision rates overall owner satisfaction with vehicle quality. With a Total Quality Index of 860, Strategic Vision rated the Toyota Highlander 7 points higher than the Nissan Rogue for 2015.