2022 Nissan Rogue vs 2021 Honda Pilot

The 2021 Honda Pilot aimed to balance styling with reliability, safety, comfort, and performance. Despite a 2019 refresh and a 2020 Black Edition, its exterior design remained polarizing. The Pilot was available in seven trims, ranging from the base LX to the upscale Black Edition, with prices between $32,250 and $49,920. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available for an additional $2,000 on most trims. The new Special Edition trim added features like black 20-inch alloy wheels and wireless smartphone charging. The Black Edition, which we tested, featured exclusive black leather upholstery with red accents and ambient lighting, but its black floor mats were a hassle to clean. The interior quality was high, but the design felt more like a minivan, which didn't help its appeal.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue continued its evolution with a mature design that debuted in 2021. It featured Nissan’s V-motion grille, multi-level LED headlights, and a floating roof design. The SL and Platinum trims included LED fog lamps and active grille shutters for improved airflow. Inside, the Rogue had a layered dash with contrasting colors and surfaces, an electronic gear selector, and ample storage space, including a large center console. The 9-inch infotainment display and 12.3-inch digital instrument panel in upper trims were highlights. Nissan’s Zero Gravity front seats and roomy second row added to the comfort. Fit and finish were exemplary, especially in the Platinum model we tested.

The 2021 Honda Pilot was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. It featured a nine-speed automatic transmission and an optional torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system. The Pilot offered a smooth and refined driving experience, with a comfortable ride and athletic handling. Fuel-saving measures included variable-cylinder management and automatic engine stop/start, with an EPA rating of 22 mpg combined for the AWD model. However, its off-road capability was limited by 7.3 inches of ground clearance and all-season tires.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue received a performance boost with its new 1.5-liter VC-Turbo engine, producing 201 horsepower and 225 lb-ft of torque. This engine featured variable compression technology for improved efficiency and power. The Rogue’s new CVT transmission offered wider gear ratios, enhancing acceleration and responsiveness. The EPA estimated fuel economy at 30 mpg city/37 mpg highway/33 mpg combined. The Rogue’s chassis and suspension provided a smooth, controlled ride with minimal body roll, and the electric power-assisted steering had good feel. The 35.4-foot turning diameter was also a plus.

The 2021 Honda Pilot offered seating for up to eight people, with comfortable leather-wrapped, heated, and ventilated front seats. The second-row captain’s chairs were nearly as comfortable as the front seats and could slide forward for easier third-row access. The third-row seat was less comfortable for adults. Storage was abundant, with a large center console and various compartments. The Pilot provided 16.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 46.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 83.9 cubic feet.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue excelled in interior storage, with numerous compartments and charging ports for both front and rear passengers. The second-row seat was a 60/40 split reclining bench. The Rogue offered 31.6-36.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, expanding to 74.1 cubic feet with the seats folded flat.

The 2021 Honda Pilot featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and satellite radio. The Special Edition added wireless phone charging, while the Touring trim included navigation, a WiFi hotspot, and a 10-speaker premium audio system. The rear-seat entertainment system in the Touring trim played DVDs and Blu-Ray discs. However, the infotainment system’s screen was small, and the voice-recognition technology was cumbersome.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue’s technology upgrade included a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, a 9-inch center infotainment touchscreen, and a 10.8-inch head-up display in upper trims. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with wireless Apple CarPlay available. ProPilot Assist with Navi-Link integrated navigation for predictive speed control. Nissan’s Intelligent Key allowed for easy access to both front and rear doors.

The 2021 Honda Pilot came standard with Honda Sensing, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic warning. The Pilot received a five-star overall rating from NHTSA and “good” ratings from IIHS, except for an “acceptable” score for front passenger small overlap frontal-impact protection.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue featured the Nissan Safety Shield 360 suite, including automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane-departure warning. ProPilot Assist offered advanced driver-assist features. The Rogue received a four-star overall safety rating from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from IIHS for the 2021 model.