What is the best year for a Nissan Rogue?

The Rogue's complaint history has been persistently elevated. The 2020 model (147 complaints) stands out as the cleanest year of the second generation. The third-generation launch in 2023 brought 630 complaints before settling to 162 in 2024 and 158 in 2025. Avoid 2013-2018, which consistently logged 430-612 complaints per year. For the current generation, 2024 or 2025 is the best used pick.

How much does Nissan Rogue insurance cost?

Rogue insurance averages around $1,984/year — about $165/month. Competitive for the compact class.

Is the Nissan Rogue or Toyota RAV4 cheaper to maintain?

The RAV4 is $38/year cheaper — $429 versus $467 for the Rogue — and has a lower repair frequency (26% vs. 33%). Both carry the same reliability score. The RAV4 holds a moderate edge on total ownership cost.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Nissan Rogue?

The Rogue's persistently elevated complaint history across 2013-2018 and a major repair probability slightly above the class average make extended warranty worth considering for used models from that period. For 2024 and newer, risk is more moderate — though the historical reliability track record warrants more caution than class leaders like the CR-V or RAV4.

Is the Subaru Outback expensive to maintain?

The Outback costs $607/year to maintain — $86 above the compact segment average of $521. Repair frequency of 37% is above the class average of 30%. Reliability score of 7 is below the class average of 8. Major repair probability of 12% is slightly above the 11% norm. Above-average cost and repair profile across all metrics.

What is the best year for a Subaru Outback?

The 2023 Outback is the strongest used pick — 84 complaints, 10/10 NHTSA safety score, 9 severe issues. Strongly avoid 2018-2020, which generated 799, 1,025, and 889 complaints respectively, driven by widespread oil consumption and EyeSight system issues. The 2021-2022 range remained elevated. 2023 marks the clear turning point.

How much does Subaru Outback insurance cost?

Outback insurance averages about $1,964/year — roughly $164/month. One of the lower insurance rates in the compact class despite above-average maintenance costs.

Is the Subaru Outback or Honda Passport cheaper to maintain?

The Honda Passport is $86/year cheaper — $521 versus $607 for the Outback. The Passport also has a higher reliability score (8 vs. 7) and lower repair frequency (28% vs. 37%). The Outback's differentiators are its standard AWD and wagon body style, which are meaningful depending on use case.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Subaru Outback?

The 2018-2020 generation's documented complaint history makes extended warranty strongly recommended for those model years. Major repair probability of 12% and repair frequency of 37% are both above compact class averages. For 2023 and newer, the profile improves considerably — but the Outback's overall cost premium makes a repair fund or warranty worth planning for.

Nissan Rogue vs Subaru Outback

Two compact SUVs compared on the numbers that matter — maintenance cost, reliability, and insurance.

// VERDICT

Our verdict

Buy the Nissan Rogue — lower 5-year cost and better reliability.

Buy the Subaru Outback if its specific features or size suit your needs better.

// COST HEAD TO HEAD

Maintenance and ownership cost

	Nissan Rogue	Subaru Outback
Annual maintenance	$467winner	$607
5-year total cost	$2,335winner	$3,035
Reliability score	8 / 10winner	7 / 10
Major repair risk (5yr)	12%	12%
Cargo space	74.1 cu ft	—
Starting price (new)	$30,800winner	$34,995
Best years to buy	—	—

// RELIABILITY

Which is more reliable?

	Nissan Rogue	Subaru Outback
RepairPal score	8 / 10winner	7 / 10
NHTSA complaints / 100k	154.6winner	287.6
Years to avoid	2017, 2018, 2019	2018, 2019, 2020
Value retained · 3 yr	71.7%	79.2%winner
Value retained · 5 yr	55.1%	61.4%winner
Value retained · 7 yr	45%	48.8%winner

// COMMON PROBLEMS

What breaks — and what it costs

	Nissan Rogue	Subaru Outback
Engine	16.2%	8.1%winner
Electrical	7.7%winner	18.7%
ADAS	16.2%	7.0%winner
Brakes	6.4%	4.0%winner
Steering	1.8%winner	3.6%
Fuel system	3.4%	1.3%winner
Tires/Wheels	1.0%	1.0%
Glass/Windows	4.0%winner	26.3%
Airbags	8.9%	5.4%winner
Lighting	—winner	3.3%
Seatbelt	1.3%	—winner

One major repair on either model can run $1,500–4,000. A warranty caps your exposure, especially on known problem years.

// INSURANCE

Which is cheaper to insure?

	Nissan Rogue	Subaru Outback
Avg annual premium	$1,984	$1,964winner

// FULL MODEL PAGES

GAS

Nissan Rogue

$467/yr maint · 8 reliability

Full model page

GAS

Subaru Outback

$607/yr maint · 7 reliability

Full model page

// FAQ

Common questions

The Rogue averages $467/year in maintenance — $54 below the compact segment average of $521. But repair frequency of 33% is slightly above the class average of 30%, and major repair probability of 12% is slightly above the 11% norm. Lower cost per service visit, but slightly more frequent unscheduled visits than the class average.

How we calculated this. Maintenance costs and reliability scores from RepairPal. Complaints and recalls from NHTSA. Fuel economy from the EPA. Insurance averages from CarEdge. Pricing from KBB. Depreciation from iSeeCars. Full methodology →