2021 Nissan Rogue vs 2022 Hyundai Tucson

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 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 SUV's boxier proportions. The exterior colour palette was limited to a few options, with two-tone configurations 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.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson, built on a new platform, was offered in a long-wheelbase version in North America, providing two rows of seating and an expanded cargo area. Its front featured Hyundai's new parametric grille, hiding LED daytime running lights and Bi-LED headlights. The side profile mirrored the Hyundai Elantra's design, with a silver D-pillar creating a floating roof effect. The rear showcased toothy LED taillights, helping the Tucson stand out. Depending on the trim, the Tucson rode on 17- or 19-inch alloy wheels, with high-end models featuring premium fascias, gloss black pillars, and a panoramic sunroof. The interior was well-appointed, with stain- and odour-resistant cloth seats standard, and leather-trimmed seats available on higher trims.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue was powered by a new 2.5-litre direct-injected 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 than its predecessor, thanks to improved torsional rigidity, a lower weight, and an updated suspension system. Fuel efficiency was respectable, with the front-wheel-drive model achieving 8.9 L/100 km in the city and 7.0 on the highway, while the all-wheel-drive version used slightly more fuel.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson offered two powertrain variants: a 2.5-litre direct-injected four-cylinder engine and a hybrid powertrain with a turbocharged 1.6-litre engine and an electric motor. The ICE engine delivered 187 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque, while the hybrid offered 226 combined horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. The hybrid powertrain was more powerful and fuel-efficient, using 6.3 L/100 km in the city and 6.6 on the highway. The Tucson's all-wheel-drive system performed well in off-road testing, and the hybrid model was notably more powerful than competitors like the Ford Escape Hybrid and Toyota RAV4 Hybrid. A plug-in hybrid version was also planned, promising even more power and efficiency.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue featured several functional updates across all trim levels. The cabin was quieter, and a new shift-by-wire system allowed for additional 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 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 upright and 2,064 litres with them folded.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson's interior was spacious and well-appointed, with a six-way power-adjustable driver's seat standard and an eight-way version available on higher trims. Heated front seats were standard, with ventilated front seats and heated rear seats available. The new platform allowed for more passenger and cargo space, with the Tucson offering more passenger volume than competitors like the CR-V, RAV4, and Escape. The rear featured a 60-40 split-folding bench seat and a dual-level cargo floor, providing ample space for a family of four.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue came equipped 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 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster had readability issues due to low contrast.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson offered a strong set of standard tech features, including an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and a six-speaker audio system. Higher trims featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation and a fully digital instrument cluster. The centre console's touchpoints were responsive but challenging to use while driving, requiring reliance on steering wheel controls and voice commands.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue featured 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 made to frontal crash testing in later models.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson's SmartSense Safety Feature suite included forward collision-avoidance assist, lane-keeping assist, and a driver attention monitor. Additional features like blind-spot warning and adaptive cruise control were available. Although not yet rated by the IIHS or NHTSA, the Tucson's safety features were comprehensive, rivaling those of luxury SUVs.