2026–27 Hyundai Tucson vs Nissan Rogue: We Compared the Data

By the CarWhere Vehicle Data Team · Updated November 8, 2026 · how we score

Our pick: the Tucson — it leads our weighted scorecard 4.5–2.5 across 9 categories, winning on better fuel economy (38 mpg vs 32 mpg best EPA combined) and more available power (268 hp vs 248 hp). Choose the Rogue if a lower NHTSA complaint rate matters most to you (0.34 vs 0.97 per 1,000 sold).

Scorecard: Tucson 4.5 pts · Rogue 2.5 pts across 9 scored categories.

The scorecard

Tucson vs Rogue scorecard: each category, both values and the category winner
Category (weight)2026 Tucson2027 RogueWinner
Starting MSRP (2)$29,200$29,690Tie
NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold (2)0.970.34Rogue
5-year value retained (1.5)48.8%48.9%Tie
Best EPA combined (1.5)38 mpg32 mpgTucson
Most horsepower available (1)268 hp248 hpTucson
Max towing (1)2,750 lb1,500 lbTucson
Cargo behind rear seats (1)38.7 cu ft31.6 cu ftTucson
Standard seats (1)55Tie
Recalls, 2023–2025 model years (0.5)108Rogue
Weighted points4.52.5Tucson

Which one we'd buy, and for whom

  • Commuter. Commuters: the Tucson — 38 mpg vs 32 mpg (best EPA combined).
  • Family. Families: the Tucson — 38.7 cu ft vs 31.6 cu ft (cargo behind rear seats).
  • Budget. Tight budgets: it's a wash — Tucson $29,200 vs Rogue $29,690 (starting MSRP). Used, the median asking price is $22,862 for the Tucson vs $20,445 for the Rogue.
  • Resale. Resale-minded buyers: it's a wash — Tucson 48.8% vs Rogue 48.9% (5-year value retained).
  • Towing. Towing: the Tucson — 2,750 lb vs 1,500 lb (max towing).

Price: sticker and what buyers paid

The Tucson starts at $29,200 and tops out at $48,300; the Rogue runs $29,690 to $43,490 (manufacturer MSRP, before destination). Used, the median asking price is $22,862 for the Tucson and $20,445 for the Rogue (all model years, US dealer listings).

Reliability: NHTSA complaints and recalls

  • Tucson: 0.97 NHTSA owner complaints per 1,000 sold (2015–2022 sales years; 21th percentile among the SUVs we track).
  • Rogue: 0.34 NHTSA owner complaints per 1,000 sold (2015–2022 sales years; 83th percentile among the SUVs we track).
  • Recall campaigns touching the 2023–2025 model years: Tucson 10, Rogue 8.

Latest rated model years on our years-to-avoid pages: Tucson 2016 (avoid) · Rogue 2016 (avoid).

Complaint rates are owner complaints filed with NHTSA divided by vehicles sold — a federal-data signal, not a survey score.

Specs side by side

Tucson vs Rogue specifications
2026 Tucson2027 Rogue
Starting MSRP (base trim)$29,200$29,690
Top-trim MSRP$48,300$43,490
Horsepower187–268 hp201–248 hp
Max torque271 lb-ft332 lb-ft
EPA combined26–38 mpg (hybrid avail.)29–32 mpg
Max towing2,750 lb1,500 lb
Seats (standard / max)5 / 55 / 7
Cargo behind rear seats38.7 cu ft31.6 cu ft

Automaker-published figures; EPA ratings from fueleconomy.gov. "—" = not published.

Size

Tucson vs Rogue exterior dimensions
TucsonRogue
Length182.7 in183 in
Width73.4 in72.4 in
Height65.6 in66.5 in
Wheelbase108.5 in106.5 in
Ground clearance7.1 in8.2 in

Resale: 5-year value retained

A 5-year-old (2021) Tucson lists for a median $17,499 — 48.8% of today's median new price of $35,830. A 5-year-old (2021) Rogue lists for a median $18,571 — 48.9% of today's median new price of $37,951.

Shop both

Negotiating either one?

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Related head-to-heads

FAQ

Is the Tucson better than the Rogue?

On our data, yes. Our pick: the Tucson — it leads our weighted scorecard 4.5–2.5 across 9 categories, winning on better fuel economy (38 mpg vs 32 mpg best EPA combined) and more available power (268 hp vs 248 hp). Choose the Rogue if a lower NHTSA complaint rate matters most to you (0.34 vs 0.97 per 1,000 sold).

Which is more reliable, the Tucson or the Rogue?

On federal data, the Rogue: owners filed 0.34 NHTSA complaints per 1,000 vehicles sold versus 0.97 for the Tucson (2015–2022 sales years). That's complaint volume, not a survey score. NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns touching the 2023–2025 Tucson and 8 for the Rogue.

Which holds its value better, the Tucson or the Rogue?

About the same — 48.8% vs 48.9% retained after five years (within 2 points).

Which is cheaper, the Tucson or the Rogue?

They start within 3% of each other: $29,200 vs $29,690.

Which has better gas mileage, the Tucson or the Rogue?

The Tucson: up to 38 mpg combined vs 32 mpg for the Rogue (best EPA rating across each lineup).

How we score

Each category compares one published number per model and counts only when both models have it. The winner earns the category weight; results inside the tie band earn nothing. Our pick has more weighted points; level points fall back to more category wins, then the reliability winner, then the price winner.

  • Starting MSRP: lower wins; tie within 3%.
  • NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold: lower wins; tie within 15%.
  • 5-year value retained: higher wins; tie within 2 points.
  • Best EPA combined: higher wins; tie within 1 mpg (3 MPGe).
  • Most horsepower available: higher wins; tie within 5%.
  • Max towing: higher wins; tie within 5%.
  • Cargo behind rear seats: higher wins; tie within 5%.
  • Standard seats: higher wins; tie same count.
  • Median discount verified buyers got: higher wins; tie within 0.5 points.
  • Recalls, 2023–2025 model years: lower wins; tie within 1.

Towing weighs 2 for pickups and 1 otherwise; seating is only scored between SUVs and minivans, using standard (never optional) seats. Sources: automaker spec pages and order guides; EPA ratings (fueleconomy.gov); NHTSA owner complaints and recall campaigns against published US sales; median used asking prices across active US dealer listings from licensed vehicle-data providers; verified buyer-submitted deal sheets for discounts.

Cite this page: CarWhere, "2026–27 Hyundai Tucson vs Nissan Rogue: We Compared the Data," carwhere.com/compare-cars/hyundai-tucson-vs-nissan-rogue, updated November 8, 2026.