2021 Nissan Rogue vs 2022 GMC Terrain

The 2021 Nissan Rogue underwent a complete redesign, giving it a more muscular and imposing presence. Its squared-off nose featured a deeper interpretation of Nissan’s V-Motion grille design, flanked by standard 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 SUV's boxier proportions. The exterior colour palette was simplified to a few basic colours, with additional two-tone options available on the Platinum grade. Inside, seating surfaces varied from cloth to semi-aniline quilted Nappa leather, depending on the trim level, with the Platinum model offering the most luxurious interior.

In contrast, the 2022 GMC Terrain received updates to its front styling, wheel designs, taillights, and interior trim. The new AT4 trim level featured a bolder grille design, black 17-inch alloy wheels, and sport-terrain tires, along with a steel skid plate for off-road protection. The test vehicle came with Ebony Twilight metallic paint and a black leather interior, which was difficult to keep clean. The Terrain's interior was roomy, with power-adjustable front seats, dual-zone climate control, and perforated leather upholstery with caramel-colour contrast stitching. Despite its upscale appearance, the Terrain's interior materials and execution did not fully meet expectations for its price range.

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 the previous generation. The Rogue's curb weight ranged from 1,536 kg for the FWD S grade to 1,653 kg for the AWD Platinum model. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) was less droning than expected, and the Rogue's handling was significantly improved with better torsional rigidity and a revamped suspension system. Fuel efficiency was respectable, with the FWD model rated at 8.9 L/100 km in the city and 7.0 on the highway, while the AWD version was slightly higher.

The 2022 GMC Terrain featured a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 170 horsepower and 203 lb-ft of torque. The engine's power was accessible between 2,000 and 4,000 rpm, but there was a delay off the line. The nine-speed automatic transmission helped maintain the torque band once the SUV was moving. The Terrain's ride was smooth on highways and city streets, but it struggled off-road, with the front end scraping on uneven terrain. Fuel economy was decent, with the AWD model rated at 9.6 L/100 km in the city and 8.3 on the highway. However, the Terrain's overall performance was less engaging, with numb steering and a lack of power.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue offered several functional updates across all trim levels. The cabin was quieter, and a new shift-by-wire system added storage space under the centre stack. The 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 the seats upright and 2,064 litres with them folded.

The 2022 GMC Terrain provided a roomy interior with numerous comfort-enhancing features. The AT4 trim included power-adjustable front seats, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The back seat was spacious, with plenty of legroom and a rear USB charging port. The Terrain offered 838 litres of cargo space behind the second row, with a large storage bin underneath the trunk floor. Folding the rear seat down increased cargo space to 1,792 litres, and the front passenger seat could be folded for longer items. Despite the storage solutions, some areas, like the storage tray, were less practical.

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 with wireless Apple CarPlay, a 10.8-inch head-up display, and a Bose 10-speaker audio system. However, the digital instrument cluster's graphics were hard to read due to low contrast.

The 2022 GMC Terrain offered two infotainment systems, with the SLT, AT4, and Denali trims featuring an 8-inch touchscreen. Both systems included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The Infotainment Package II added connected navigation, improved voice recognition, and a Bose audio system. The voice recognition system was highly praised for its accuracy and responsiveness. The Tech Package included a head-up display, park assist sensors, and a surround-view camera system, enhancing the Terrain's technology offerings.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue featured the Safety Shield 360 suite as standard, including forward emergency braking, blind-spot warning, and lane departure warning. The SV model introduced ProPILOT Assist, a hands-on highway driving assist feature. The Rogue received a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS and a four-star safety rating from the NHTSA, with improvements made to later models.

The 2022 GMC Terrain came with the GMC Pro Safety Package, offering forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and automatic emergency braking. The Pro Safety Plus Package added adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Terrain received mostly "Good" crash-test scores from the IIHS, but a "Marginal" rating in a new side-impact test. The NHTSA had not evaluated the 2022 Terrain at the time of review.