2021 Nissan Rogue vs 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander

The 2021 Nissan Rogue underwent a complete redesign, presenting a 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 in a narrow and angled configuration. The inclusion of functional forward air vents and active grille shutters contributed to a lower coefficient of drag, despite the vehicle's boxier proportions. The exterior colour palette was streamlined to include basic shades like black, white, grey, red, and blue, with a pearl grey option available on the SV with all-wheel drive. The Platinum grade offered four two-tone colour configurations, combining a lower paint colour with a blacked-out roof. Inside, seating surfaces were primarily cloth, with leatherette upholstery available in the SV AWD model with the Premium Package. The Platinum model featured semi-aniline quilted Nappa leather, elevating the interior to a more luxurious level.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander showcased a bold front styling with the automaker’s “Dynamic Shield” grille and lighting concept, giving it a unique identity. The design from the front wheels to the rear bumper was tasteful and balanced. In Canada, the Outlander was available in several trim levels, with 18-inch alloy wheels on the lower grades and 20-inch wheels standard on the rest. The GT Premium trim featured premium semi-aniline leather with quilting and contrast stitching, a head-up display, and a premium sound system. The interior design adhered to minimalism, with black accents and authentic aluminum touches. However, some interior plastics reminded users of its place in the SUV hierarchy. The Outlander’s ride and handling were not without quirks, with a firm suspension that felt brittle on anything but smooth pavement.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue was powered by a new 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 181 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque, fully available at 3,600 rpm. This engine was a direct-injected unit, improving performance and fuel efficiency over 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. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) was less droning than expected, and the Rogue's handling was significantly improved with a 27% increase in torsional rigidity and a revamped multi-link rear suspension. 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 9.2 city and 7.2 highway.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander also featured a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 181 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 181 lb-ft of torque at 3,600 rpm. The CVT powered Mitsubishi’s Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) AWD system, though the brake-induced torque-vectoring system was less impressive. The Outlander offered multiple driving modes, but the Eco mode felt sluggish, and Tarmac mode held engine revs higher without enhancing driving satisfaction. The Outlander was most responsive in urban environments, but its power was insufficient for confident highway acceleration or passing. The steering felt vague and disconnected, and the suspension was too firm over minor pavement anomalies. The Outlander returned 9.4 L/100 km on testing, slightly underperforming against its official rating of 8.9 L/100 km combined for AWD models.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue featured functional updates across all price points, including a quieter cabin and a new shift-by-wire system that added storage space. 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, with upgrades available in higher trims. 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 Mitsubishi Outlander excelled in form and function, with roomy and comfortable front seats and deeply padded armrests. The GT and GT Premium trims featured a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat and heated front seats. The interior design was clean and uncluttered, though there was wasted space on the centre console. The rear seat offered generous room and comfort, with the ability to slide for more cargo space. A third-row seat was included, but it was cramped and not ideal for adults. Cargo capacity was limited to 331 litres with the third row in use, expanding to 948 litres with it folded, and a maximum of 2,256 litres without the panoramic sunroof.

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 and a 10.8-inch head-up display. The Bose 10-speaker audio system was a notable upgrade, though the digital instrument cluster had readability issues.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander GT and GT Premium featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display, a large HUD, and a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay. Wireless smartphone charging was standard on higher trims, and the GT Premium included a 10-speaker Bose audio system. However, the voice-recognition technology struggled with road noise, affecting its performance.

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 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 later models.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander featured a driver-assist system similar to Nissan’s ProPilot Assist, with forward collision mitigation, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot warning. The IIHS awarded it a Top Safety Pick+ rating, though early models had Poor-rated headlights. The NHTSA gave it a five-star overall rating, with four stars for frontal crash and rollover performance.