2021 Nissan Rogue vs 2022 Honda Odyssey

The 2021 Nissan Rogue underwent a complete redesign, presenting a more muscular and imposing presence for this compact SUV. 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 to a few core 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, with the Platinum model offering the most luxurious interior.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey, while adhering to the classic minivan design, offered a sense of style with its kinked sliding doors and dramatic character lines. The Touring trim level, which we evaluated, featured dark grey 19-inch aluminum alloy wheels. Inside, the Odyssey boasted quality leather upholstery, supportive front seats with power adjustments, and a tri-zone automatic climate control system. The interior design was open and spacious, with plenty of storage options and a low console between the front seats. The Odyssey's design emphasized practicality and comfort, making it a strong contender for families needing ample space and convenience.

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 was paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), which, despite its reputation, was not unpleasantly droning. 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. Fuel efficiency was respectable, with the front-wheel-drive version achieving 8.9 L/100 km in the city and 7.0 L/100 km on the highway. The all-wheel-drive variant saw slightly higher figures. The Rogue's handling was improved with a 27% increase in torsional rigidity and a revamped multi-link rear suspension, providing a stable and planted road feel.

In contrast, the 2022 Honda Odyssey featured a 3.5-litre V6 engine delivering 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Odyssey was front-wheel drive only, with no all-wheel drive or electrified powertrain options. Its fuel consumption was estimated at 10.6 L/100 km in combined driving. The Odyssey excelled in driving character, offering a responsive and enjoyable experience, though its brakes showed signs of strain during extended downhill driving. Despite this, the Odyssey remained quick and composed, making it a fun choice for daily driving.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue offered functional updates across all trims, including a quieter cabin and a new shift-by-wire system that added storage space. The second-row doors opened to 85 degrees, improving access, and 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 second row upright and 2,064 litres with them folded.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey provided easy access with wide-opening doors and a lower ride height. Inside, the Touring trim featured quality leather, power-adjustable front seats, and a tri-zone climate control system. Storage was abundant, with numerous compartments and a centre console tray. The second-row Magic Slide seats allowed for flexible configurations, enhancing safety and convenience. The third-row seat was comfortable for adults, and the Odyssey offered 929 litres of cargo space behind it. Folding the third-row seat increased cargo space to 2,452 litres, and removing the second-row seats provided a massive 3,984 litres of space.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue came equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering 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 difficult to read due to low contrast.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey Touring was packed with technology, though its infotainment system lagged behind competitors. It featured an 8-inch touchscreen, satellite radio, and smartphone connectivity. The Touring trim included CabinWatch and CabinTalk systems, a rear entertainment system with a 10.2-inch screen, and an 11-speaker premium audio system. However, the infotainment system's small screen and lack of a tuning knob were drawbacks, and the navigation system required specific voice commands, making it less user-friendly.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue featured the Safety Shield 360 suite, including forward emergency braking, blind-spot warning, and lane departure warning. The SV model added ProPILOT Assist for highway driving assistance. 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 2022 Honda Odyssey came standard with Honda Sensing, offering adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. However, the system lacked refinement, occasionally issuing invalid warnings. The Odyssey earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.