2021 Nissan Rogue vs 2022 Nissan Rogue

The 2021 Nissan Rogue presented a bold redesign that transformed its compact SUV styling into a more muscular and imposing presence. The front end was notably squared off, featuring 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 vehicle'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, the Rogue offered cloth seating surfaces in most grades, with leatherette and semi-aniline quilted Nappa leather available in higher trims, enhancing the interior's appeal.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue continued the mature styling introduced in the previous year, maintaining its grownup look without new flourishes. It shared several exterior design features with other current-generation Nissan vehicles, such as the V-motion grille and multi-level LED headlights. The floating roof design and slightly bulging liftgate added to its sleek appearance. Inside, the Rogue featured a layered dash design with contrasting colours and surfaces, creating a sophisticated and detailed look. The centre console was a highlight, with an electronic gear selector lever and ample storage space. The 9-inch centre infotainment display and Zero Gravity bucket-style front seats contributed to a comfortable and modern cabin experience.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue was equipped with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 181 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque, which was an improvement over the previous generation. This engine was paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), providing a balanced performance for the Rogue's curb weight, which ranged from 1,536 kg for the front-wheel-drive S grade to 1,653 kg for the all-wheel-drive Platinum model. The Rogue's handling was enhanced by a 27% improvement in torsional rigidity, a 40-kg weight reduction, and an updated 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 recorded 9.2 city and 7.2 highway.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue introduced a new 1.5-litre VC-Turbo engine, producing 201 horsepower and 225 lb-ft of torque, marking an 11% increase in horsepower and a 24% increase in torque over the 2021 model. This engine featured a Variable Compression technology, allowing for improved power and efficiency. The new CVT offered wider gear ratios, enhancing acceleration and responsiveness. Fuel consumption improved significantly, with the front-wheel-drive model achieving 7.8 L/100 km in the city and 6.5 on the highway. The Rogue's chassis and suspension provided a smooth and controlled ride, with minimal body roll and a tight turning diameter of 10.8 metres.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue offered several functional updates across all price points. The cabin was quieter by three decibels on average, and a shift-by-wire system allowed for additional storage space under the centre stack. The rear doors opened to 85 degrees, improving access to the second row, which offered 996 mm of headroom without the moonroof. Standard features included heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and 17-inch alloy wheels. 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 it folded.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue continued to impress with its smart interior design and storage options. The front cabin featured numerous storage spaces, including bottle holders, cupholders, and a centre console bin. Rear-seat passengers had access to storage in the doors and seatbacks, along with USB-A and USB-C ports. The second-row seat was a 60/40 split reclining bench. The Rogue's cargo area offered 1,033 litres of space, expanding to 2,098 litres with the second row folded flat, providing ample room for various needs.

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 enhancement, though the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster had readability issues.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue carried over the technology upgrades from the previous year, with a focus on screen enhancements. The upper trim levels featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, a 9-inch centre infotainment touchscreen, and a 10.8-inch head-up display. ProPilot Assist with Navi-Link was available, integrating navigation system knowledge for proactive speed adjustments. Nissan’s Intelligent Key allowed for keyless entry on all doors, enhancing convenience for families.

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, a hands-on highway driving assist feature. The 2021 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 versions.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue continued to offer the Safety Shield 360 suite, with additional features like blind spot intervention and traffic sign recognition. ProPilot Assist was available, providing Level 2 advanced driver-assist capabilities. The 2022 Rogue received a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.