2021 Nissan Rogue vs 2022 Chevrolet Equinox

The 2021 Nissan Rogue underwent a complete redesign, presenting a more muscular and imposing presence. Its squared-off nose featured a deeper interpretation of Nissan’s V-Motion grille, flanked by narrow, angled LED headlamps and separate LED daytime running lights. Functional forward air vents and active grille shutters contributed to a lower coefficient of drag, despite the Rogue's boxier proportions. The exterior colour palette was simplified, with options like black, white, grey, red, and blue, and a special pearl grey for the SV with all-wheel drive. The Platinum grade offered four two-tone configurations, including a unique champagne exterior colour.

In contrast, the 2022 Chevrolet Equinox received styling updates, including a new grille, LED headlights, and subtle changes to the rear fascia. The headlights were bisected by trim pieces extending from the grille, giving it a sleeker look. The Equinox maintained its car-based crossover identity, avoiding the rugged styling of some competitors. Its tall roofline and puffed-up front fascia made it less car-like than the Ford Escape. Inside, the dashboard featured a creative design with a touchscreen and large air vents at the centre. The RS model added black exterior trim, darkened wheels, and a black interior with red stitching, though the subdued interior was not to everyone's taste.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue was powered by a new 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 181 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque, available at 3,600 rpm. This engine improved performance and fuel efficiency compared to its predecessor. The Rogue's curb weight ranged 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, and the Rogue's handling was enhanced by a 27% improvement in torsional rigidity and a revamped multi-link rear suspension. Fuel efficiency was respectable, with figures of 8.9 L/100 km city, 7.0 highway, and 8.1 combined for FWD, and slightly higher for AWD.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox featured a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 170 horsepower and 203 lb-ft of torque. All models used a six-speed automatic transmission, with standard FWD and optional AWD. The Equinox had more torque than many rivals but less horsepower. It excelled in stop-and-go driving, with peak torque available between 2,000 and 4,000 rpm. However, at higher speeds, the engine felt coarse and unresponsive, and the transmission's shifts were rough. The Equinox lacked sporty handling and the refinement of some competitors, though it remained comfortable on rough roads.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue offered functional updates across all price points. The cabin was quieter, and a new shift-by-wire system created space for a large compartment under the centre stack. Rear doors opened to 85 degrees, improving access, and second-row headroom was increased. Standard features included heated front seats, a 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 seats up and 2,064 litres with them folded.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox provided seating for five with decent headroom and good second-row legroom. However, front seat legroom was less generous, and the lack of a telescoping steering wheel made finding a comfortable driving position challenging. The Equinox offered a tall seating position and an unobstructed forward view, though rear visibility was hampered by a small rear window. The climate control buttons were awkwardly placed but easily accessible. Cargo space was 847 litres with seats up and 1,809 litres with them folded, near the bottom of the segment. A power liftgate was available, but the Equinox lacked features like a sliding second-row seat.

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 to a 9-inch screen, wireless phone charging, and wireless Apple CarPlay. It also included 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 2022 Chevrolet Equinox featured a 7-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, Bluetooth, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. Higher trims received an 8-inch touchscreen and a 4.2-inch instrument-cluster screen. The Chevy MyLink system was user-friendly, with large menu icons and good graphics. Wireless connectivity was a significant advantage, though the centre-console slot for phones was too small. The infotainment system covered essential features without unnecessary complexity.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue included the Safety Shield 360 suite as standard, with features like forward emergency braking, blind-spot warning, and lane departure warning. The SV model added ProPILOT Assist for highway driving. The Rogue received a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS and a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with improvements in frontal crash testing for later models.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox received top "Good" scores in most IIHS crash tests but a "Marginal" rating in the updated side crash test. It earned a "Superior" rating for vehicle-to-vehicle front-crash prevention and an "Advanced" rating for vehicle-to-pedestrian scenarios. The NHTSA awarded it a five-star overall safety rating. Standard features included automatic emergency braking and lane keep assist, with optional features like adaptive cruise control and a surround-view camera system.