2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs 2022 Nissan Rogue

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee was a testament to timeless design, maintaining its appeal over a decade after its debut. It combined rugged utility with upscale sophistication, featuring big wheels and flared fenders that gave it a balanced and artistic look. The Grand Cherokee's design contributed significantly to its success, as it straddled the line between mainstream, luxury, and performance SUV categories. The model lineup ranged from the affordable Laredo and Limited trims to the upscale Overland and Summit, with high-performance SRT and Trackhawk models also available. The Summit trim, in particular, offered a luxurious interior with premium materials, though its aging design was evident in outdated switchgear and component fits.

In contrast, the 2022 Nissan Rogue continued to evolve with a more mature and sophisticated design. The exterior featured Nissan's V-motion grille, multi-level LED headlights, and a sleek floating roof. Inside, the Rogue boasted a layered dash design with contrasting colours and surfaces, creating a detailed and tasteful look. The centre console was a highlight, with an electronic gear selector lever and ample storage space. The Rogue's interior was spacious, with comfortable Zero Gravity front seats and a roomy second row. Fit and finish were exemplary, especially in the top-of-the-line Platinum model, showcasing Nissan's attention to detail and material selection.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered a standard 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 engine, delivering 295 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, with a towing capacity of up to 2,818 kg. For those seeking more power, the optional 5.7-litre Hemi V8 provided 360 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque, with a best-in-class towing capacity of 3,300 kg. The V8 featured cylinder deactivation technology for improved efficiency, though fuel consumption remained high. The Grand Cherokee's Quadra-Trac II 4WD system and Quadra-Lift air suspension enhanced its off-road capabilities, while its tight turning radius and responsive brakes made it agile in various driving situations.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue, on the other hand, benefited from a new 1.5-litre VC-Turbo engine, producing 201 horsepower and 225 lb-ft of torque. This engine offered an 11% increase in horsepower and 24% more torque compared to the previous model. The Rogue's fuel efficiency was impressive, with estimates of 7.8 L/100 km city and 6.5 highway. The new CVT transmission provided a wider range of gear ratios, improving acceleration and responsiveness. The Rogue's chassis and suspension delivered a smooth ride with minimal body roll, while the electric power-assisted steering offered good feel and a tight turning diameter.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit featured a luxurious interior with quilted leather seats and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Both front seats offered eight-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation, though the controls were embedded in the infotainment system, causing some distraction. The rear seat was comfortable but had limited legroom, and the optional rear-seat entertainment system added to a sense of claustrophobia. Cargo space was adequate, with 1,028 litres behind the rear seat and a maximum of 1,934 litres with the second row folded.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue excelled in interior space and storage options. The front cabin offered numerous storage compartments, including bottle holders, cupholders, and a centre console bin. Rear-seat passengers had storage options in the doors and seatbacks, along with USB ports for device charging. The Rogue's cargo area provided 1,033 litres of space, expandable to 2,098 litres with the second row folded. This generous cargo capacity made the Rogue a practical choice for families and commuters.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee featured the Uconnect 4C with Nav infotainment system, offering a user-friendly experience with fast response times and pleasing graphics. It included navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The voice recognition technology worked well, and the Summit trim came with a 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. However, the Grand Cherokee was considered "tech lite," with limited advanced features compared to newer models.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue, on the other hand, boasted a technology upgrade with three screens: a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, a 9-inch infotainment touchscreen, and a 10.8-inch head-up display. Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto were standard, with wireless Apple CarPlay available on upper trims. ProPilot Assist, a hands-on driver-assist technology, was available, offering features like adaptive cruise control and steering assist. The Rogue's Intelligent Key system allowed for convenient keyless entry, enhancing its family-friendly appeal.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee received mixed safety ratings. While it earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA with 4WD, its performance in IIHS tests was less impressive, with "Marginal" and "Poor" ratings in certain crash tests. The Grand Cherokee offered a range of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and blind-spot monitoring, but its safety performance was a concern.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue, in contrast, featured the Nissan Safety Shield 360 suite of safety technologies across all trims. Standard features included automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and lane-departure warning. The Rogue received a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS. ProPilot Assist further enhanced safety by combining steering-assist and adaptive cruise control for a Level 2 advanced driver-assist system.