2021 Nissan Rogue vs 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe presented a diverse range of six trims, each with distinct styling elements. The base LS and popular LT models featured unique grille patterns, while the sporty RST boasted a slotted grille, blacked-out appearance, and 22-inch wheels. The rugged Z71 combined the LS grille with a blacked-out look, red tow hooks, a skid plate, and 20-inch wheels with all-terrain tires. The upscale Premier adopted the RST’s grille with chrome accents, and the luxurious High Country showcased a chrome bar grille and bright-finished 22-inch wheels. The Tahoe’s design was dominated by its grille, complemented by standard LED headlights and expressive taillights. Despite its familiar design themes, the new Tahoe appeared more slab-sided, with larger wheels enhancing its overall look.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue underwent a complete redesign, giving it a muscular and imposing presence. Its squared-off nose featured a deeper V-Motion grille, flanked by narrow LED headlamps and functional air vents. The exterior colour palette was simplified, with options like black, white, grey, red, and blue, and a pearl grey option for the SV AWD. The Platinum grade offered four two-tone configurations. Inside, the Rogue offered cloth seating in most grades, with leatherette available in the SV AWD with the Premium Package. The Platinum model featured semi-aniline quilted Nappa leather, elevating the interior’s appeal. The redesign improved the Rogue’s aerodynamics, achieving a respectable drag coefficient of 0.33.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe offered three engine options. Most trims came with a 5.3-litre V8 engine, delivering 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque. The High Country trim featured a 6.2-litre V8, producing 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. A turbocharged 3.0-litre diesel engine, available for all trims except the Z71, offered 277 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque, enhancing fuel efficiency. The Tahoe’s 10-speed automatic transmission powered the rear wheels, with a 4WD system optional on base trims and standard on others. The Z71 trim included off-road enhancements like a two-speed transfer case and hill descent control. The Tahoe could tow up to 3,810 kilograms and handle an 831-kilogram payload. The major engineering change was the adoption of an independent rear suspension, improving ride quality and interior space. The Z71 trim impressed with its smooth ride, thanks to adaptive damping and air suspension upgrades.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue featured a new 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 181 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque. This engine, paired with a CVT, offered improved performance and fuel efficiency. The Rogue’s curb weight ranged from 1,536 kilograms for the FWD S grade to 1,653 kilograms for the AWD Platinum model. The Rogue’s fuel efficiency was commendable, with the FWD configuration achieving 8.1 litres per 100 kilometres combined, and the AWD version slightly higher at 8.3. The Rogue’s handling improved with a 27% increase in torsional rigidity, a 40-kilogram weight reduction, and a revamped multi-link rear suspension. The Rogue felt stable and planted, with minimal pitch or roll.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe benefited from an independent rear suspension, enhancing passenger comfort and cargo space. The test vehicle featured heated power-adjustable front seats and a heated steering wheel. The power sliding storage console was a highlight, offering a large storage tray and a locking drawer. The second row offered a choice between a bench seat or captain’s chairs, with the latter providing comfort and easy access to the third row. The third-row seat room was significantly improved, accommodating adults comfortably. The Tahoe offered 722 litres of cargo space behind the rear seat, expanding to 2,056 litres with the seat folded, and a maximum of 3,480 litres.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue’s cabin was quieter, with a new shift-by-wire system creating additional storage space. The second-row doors opened to 85 degrees, improving access. Standard features included heated front seats, steering wheel, and exterior mirrors. The SV trim added a 360-degree Around View Monitor, remote start, and a panoramic sunroof. The Platinum grade included a redesigned Divide and Hide cargo system, offering 1,028 litres of cargo space with the second row upright and 2,064 litres with them folded. The system allowed for a 5 cm cargo floor height adjustment and a panel to separate cargo.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe featured a 10.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system with five times the computing power of its predecessor. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a voice-recognition system, and Chevrolet Connected Services. The infotainment system was user-friendly, though main-menu shortcut icons were somewhat hard to use. The voice-recognition system was impressive, responding accurately to natural prompts. The test vehicle included a wireless charging pad and a mid-grade Bose audio system. The Rear Seat Media system offered versatility, though it wasn’t fully tested.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The SV grade added an in-car Wi-Fi hotspot and additional USB ports. The Platinum grade upgraded to a 9-inch screen, wireless phone charging, and wireless Apple CarPlay. It also featured a 10.8-inch head-up display and a Bose 10-speaker audio system. However, the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster had readability issues due to low contrast.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe included standard safety features like Teen Driver, rear-seat reminder, forward collision alert, and low-speed automatic emergency braking. Higher trims offered lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic warning. Premier and High Country trims included adaptive cruise control and high-speed automatic emergency braking. The Tahoe’s safety features worked as expected, though the pedestrian alert could be distracting. A surround-view camera was recommended for maneuvering the large SUV. The Tahoe hadn’t been crash-tested by NHTSA or IIHS at the time of review.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue featured the Safety Shield 360 suite, including forward emergency braking, rear emergency braking, blind-spot warning, and lane departure warning. The SV model introduced ProPILOT Assist, a hands-on highway driving assist feature. The Platinum grade added Navi-link, assisting with steering and slowing down through curves. The Rogue received a “Top Safety Pick+” rating from IIHS and a four-star safety rating from NHTSA. Early versions scored three stars in frontal crash testing, but later versions were upgraded to four stars.