2021 Nissan Rogue vs 2022 Honda Passport

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 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 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 Premium Package adding features like heated rear seats and a power liftgate.

The 2022 Honda Passport shared its platform with the Honda Ridgeline, Odyssey, and Pilot, resulting in a familiar styling reminiscent of the Ridgeline pickup truck. The Passport's new nose aimed to give it a tougher look, with the TrailSport trim adding off-road appeal. The TrailSport trim, new for 2022, featured unique 18-inch alloy wheels, a roof rack, and simulated skid plates. Inside, the Passport offered one of the largest interiors in the two-row midsize SUV segment, with quality materials and careful assembly. The TrailSport trim added orange contrast stitching and amber ambient lighting, enhancing the interior's appeal.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue featured 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 front-wheel-drive S grade to 1,653 kg for the all-wheel-drive Platinum model. Despite the continuously variable transmission (CVT), the Rogue's handling was significantly better, with improved torsional rigidity and a revamped suspension system. Fuel efficiency was respectable, with the front-wheel-drive model achieving 8.1 L/100 km combined, while the all-wheel-drive version managed 8.3 L/100 km.

The 2022 Honda Passport retained its 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivering 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive in Canada. The V6 engine was smooth and powerful, with the Passport averaging 11.0 L/100 km in various driving conditions. The i-VTM4 AWD system provided mechanical torque vectoring, delivering up to 70% of the engine's power to a single rear wheel when needed. While the Passport excelled on roads and highways, its off-road capabilities were limited, with wheel articulation being a concern. The Passport's brakes, however, could heat up and vibrate during mountain descents, affecting confidence.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue offered functional updates across all trims, including a quieter cabin and a new shift-by-wire system, creating additional storage space. The rear doors opened to 85 degrees, improving access, and second-row headroom was enhanced. Standard features included heated front seats, a heated 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 up and 2,064 litres with them folded.

The 2022 Honda Passport provided easy access with large doors and a low step-in height. The front seats were large and comfortable, with leather upholstery and heated features. The TrailSport trim added heated rear seats, while the Touring trim offered ventilated front seats. The Passport's interior was spacious, with ample storage options, including a massive centre console storage bin. Cargo space was generous, with 1,430 litres behind the rear seat and 2,854 litres with the seats folded. The Passport's utility and comfort made it a practical choice for daily use.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with 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 a Bose 10-speaker audio system. However, the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster had readability issues due to low contrast.

The 2022 Honda Passport's infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The TrailSport trim added satellite radio, while the Touring trim featured a navigation system and a 10-speaker premium audio system. The system's interface was simple, with shortcut buttons and a volume knob, but lacked a tuning knob. Wireless smartphone charging was standard in all but the base Sport trim. The Passport's technology was functional but not advanced, with some users preferring to use Apple CarPlay for navigation.

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

The 2022 Honda Passport featured the Honda Sensing suite, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. However, some functions, like lane-departure warning and lane-centring assist, were less refined. The Passport received five-star ratings from the NHTSA, except for front passenger protection in frontal impacts and rollover resistance, which earned four stars. The IIHS rated the Passport highly, with an Acceptable rating for front-passenger protection in small overlap collisions.