2022 Subaru Forester vs 2021 Nissan Rogue

The 2021 Nissan Rogue presented a bold redesign that gave it a more muscular and imposing presence. 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 SUV's boxier proportions. The exterior colour palette was limited to a few options, with the Platinum grade offering exclusive two-tone configurations. Inside, the Rogue offered cloth seating surfaces in most grades, with leatherette upholstery available in the SV AWD model through a Premium Package. The Platinum model boasted semi-aniline quilted Nappa leather, elevating the interior to a more luxurious level.

The 2022 Subaru Forester, particularly in its Wilderness trim, emphasized practicality and ruggedness over aesthetics. The Wilderness model featured a suspension lift and higher ride height, along with massive protective cladding and a matte-black hood decal, giving it a distinctive, albeit polarizing, appearance. Inside, the Forester focused on function, with a cabin that combined hard plastic and soft surfaces, exuding quality construction. The 8-inch Starlink infotainment system was user-friendly, though the presence of three display screens was less than ideal. The Wilderness trim's cladding and copper-coloured details were not universally appealing, but the overall design improved the SUV's looks in most trim levels.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue was powered by a new 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 181 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque at 3,600 rpm. This represented a modest improvement over the previous generation. The engine was well-matched to the Rogue's curb weight, ranging from 1,536 kg for the FWD S grade to 1,653 kg for the AWD Platinum model. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) was less droning than expected, though no alternate powertrain options were available. Fuel efficiency was reasonable, with the FWD configuration achieving 8.9 L/100 km in the city and 7.0 on the highway, while the AWD version consumed slightly more. The Rogue's handling was significantly improved, with a 27% increase in torsional rigidity and a revamped multi-link rear suspension.

The 2022 Subaru Forester continued with its 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 182 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 176 lb-ft of torque at 4,400 rpm. The Wilderness model featured a CVT with a 25% increase in initial torque supply, doubling its towing capacity to 1,360 kg. Fuel consumption was slightly higher, averaging 9.1 L/100 km. The Forester's engine was adequate at sea level but felt sluggish at higher altitudes. The CVT's eight programmed ratios simulated an automatic transmission, and the SI-Drive system offered a Sport mode for more lively response. The dual-function X-Mode system improved off-road capabilities, and the Wilderness trim's re-tuned suspension and all-terrain tires enhanced its ruggedness.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue offered functional updates across all price points. The cabin was quieter, and a new shift-by-wire system added storage space under the centre stack. 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. 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 Subaru Forester prioritized functionality, with easy entry and exit due to tall seating hip points. The Wilderness trim featured water-resistant StarTex upholstery, all-weather floor mats, and a rubber cargo mat. Upgraded roof rails accommodated a dynamic load of 100 kg and a static load of 362 kg. The Forester offered high comfort levels, with rear air conditioning vents and quick-charge ports. Cargo space measured 818 litres without the sunroof and 762 litres with it, expanding to 2,101 litres with the rear seats folded. The squared-off cargo area was usefully shaped, and the Wilderness trim included a full-size spare tire.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, 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. A 10.8-inch head-up display was also included, though the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster had readability issues.

The 2022 Subaru Forester's base trim included a 6.5-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Touring trim and higher offered an 8-inch screen, navigation, and a Harman Kardon audio system. The Wilderness trim included a 180-degree forward-view camera. The test vehicle's navigation system was helpful, though a breadcrumb function would have been beneficial. The voice recognition system was inconsistent in its effectiveness.

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, a hands-on highway driving assist feature. 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 Subaru Forester debuted the EyeSight 4.0 safety system, offering improved accuracy and smoother operation. Standard features included automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping assist. Limited and Premier trims featured DriverFocus, a facial recognition technology. The Forester earned a 5-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA, with a 4-star rating for rollover resistance. The IIHS had not yet rated the 2022 model, but it was expected to retain the 2021 model's "Top Safety Pick+" rating.