2021 Nissan Rogue vs 2021 Acura RDX

The 2021 Nissan Rogue underwent a complete redesign, presenting a muscular and imposing presence for this compact SUV. Its squared-off nose featured a deeper interpretation of Nissan’s V-Motion grille, flanked by standard LED headlamps in a narrow and angled configuration, separate LED daytime running lights, and functional forward air vents with active grille shutters. These elements contributed to a lower coefficient of drag than its previous generation, despite its boxier proportions. The exterior colour palette was simplified to four or five colours, with additional two-tone configurations available on the Platinum grade. Inside, seating surfaces varied from cloth to semi-aniline quilted Nappa leather, depending on the trim, with the Platinum model offering a more luxurious interior.

The 2021 Acura RDX, especially in the A-Spec trim, was a stylish SUV with subtle yet effective design changes that conveyed sportiness without overpromising on performance. Acura avoided off-roading frippery, focusing instead on a design meant for daily driving and road-tripping. The A-Spec trim sat in the middle of the trim-level hierarchy, with pricing starting at $44,505 and going up to $60,371 for the A-Spec with additional features. The interior of the A-Spec added sport seats with simulated suede inserts, a sport steering wheel, and unique gauges, among other features. However, the gauge cluster's red markings on a brushed silver background were hard to read, except at night.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue featured a new 2.5-litre four-cylinder direct-injected engine, producing 181 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque, fully available at 3,600 rpm. This engine was well-matched to the Rogue’s curb weight, ranging from 1,536 kg for the front-wheel-drive S grade to 1,653 kg for the all-wheel-drive Platinum model. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) was less droning than expected, but no alternate powertrain was offered. Fuel efficiency was reasonable, with the front-wheel-drive configuration using 8.9 litres per 100 km in the city and 7.0 on the highway. The all-wheel-drive version increased these figures slightly. The Rogue's handling improved significantly with a 27% increase in torsional rigidity and a revamped multi-link rear suspension.

The 2021 Acura RDX was powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine, delivering 272 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 280 lb-ft of torque from 1,600 to 4,500 rpm. A 10-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters and the torque-vectoring SH-AWD system were standard, enhancing handling and making the RDX fun to drive. The Integrated Dynamics System allowed drivers to choose between different driving modes, affecting powertrain response and steering effort. A-Spec models featured exclusive 20-inch alloy wheels with performance all-season tires, though adaptive dampers were not available. Despite some body motion, the RDX A-Spec was rewarding to drive, with precise steering and fade-resistant brakes.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue offered functional updates across all price points, including a quieter cabin and a new shift-by-wire system that added storage space. The rear doors opened to 85 degrees, improving access, and second-row headroom was increased. Standard features included heated front seats and a steering wheel, while the SV trim added a 360-degree Around View Monitor and a panoramic sunroof. The Platinum grade included a redesigned Divide and Hide cargo system, offering 1,028 litres of cargo space with the seats upright and 2,064 litres with them folded.

The Acura RDX, though a compact SUV, provided remarkable passenger and cargo space. The front seats were comfortable, with 12-way power adjustment and heating as standard. However, rear-seat comfort was compromised by a low and flat cushion, affecting leg support. Cargo volume was competitive, with 835 litres behind the rear seat and 1,668 litres with the seats folded. The trunk included a deep storage well and three separate compartments under the cargo floor for organization. Acura quoted a maximum cargo volume of 2,260 litres, though this measurement was based on moving the front seats forward.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring 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 the screen to 9 inches, included a wireless phone charging pad, and introduced 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 Acura RDX featured the True Touchpad Interface infotainment system, which used a touch-sensing pad instead of a touchscreen. This system mirrored the screen, allowing for more intuitive control, though it required some adjustment. The A-Spec trim included a 16-speaker Acura/ELS Studio 3D premium audio system, which delivered excellent sound quality. Despite the TTI's improvements over similar systems, it still posed a distraction risk, and a more traditional touchscreen interface would have been preferable.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue included the Safety Shield 360 suite as standard, featuring forward emergency braking, blind-spot warning, and lane departure warning. The SV model added ProPILOT Assist, which combined adaptive cruise control with Safety Shield 360 features. The Rogue received a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS and a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with improvements made to later models.

The Acura RDX came with a suite of safety features, including adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist, but blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert were only available on higher trims. The RDX earned a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though it received four-star ratings for frontal-impact and rollover resistance.