2021 Nissan Rogue vs 2022 Subaru Outback

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 Rogue'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 Premium Package offering additional features like heated rear seats and a power liftgate.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness stood out with its increased ground clearance of 23 centimetres, aggressive all-terrain tires, and unique design elements like a matte black hood decal and Anodized Copper accents. The Wilderness trim featured a new roof rack system capable of supporting a 700-pound static load, ideal for rooftop camping. Inside, the cabin was dominated by dark gray and black StarTex water-repellant upholstery, which, while practical, could be uncomfortable in hot weather. The interior also included features like a black headliner, Gunmetal Gray trim, and standard all-weather floor mats, enhancing its rugged appeal.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue was powered by 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 both performance and fuel efficiency compared to its predecessor. The Rogue's curb weight ranged from 1,536 kilograms for the front-wheel-drive S grade to 1,653 kilograms for the all-wheel-drive Platinum model. Despite the continuously variable transmission (CVT), the Rogue offered a stable and planted road feel, thanks to improvements in torsional rigidity and suspension design. Fuel efficiency was respectable, with the front-wheel-drive model achieving 8.9 litres per 100 kilometres in the city and 7.0 on the highway.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured a turbocharged 2.4-litre 4-cylinder engine, delivering 260 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 277 lb-ft of torque between 2,000 and 4,800 rpm. This engine provided ample power for the midsize SUV, with a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 lbs. Fuel efficiency was slightly lower, with the Wilderness achieving 10.9 litres per 100 kilometres in the city and 8.9 on the highway. The CVT, while equipped with paddle shifters, was less satisfying than a dual-clutch automatic transmission. The Wilderness trim excelled off-road, with features like all-terrain tires, improved approach and departure angles, and a dual function X-Mode traction system.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue offered a quieter cabin and a new shift-by-wire system, creating additional storage space under the centre stack. Rear doors opened to 85 degrees, improving access, and second-row headroom was enhanced. 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 Outback Wilderness featured StarTex water-repellant upholstery, which, while practical, could be uncomfortable in hot weather. The cabin offered generous rear seat head and legroom, with rear air conditioning vents and USB charging ports. The cargo area provided 920 litres of space behind the rear seat and 2,144 litres with the seat folded flat. The Wilderness trim also included a more robust roof rack, capable of supporting a 700-pound static load, ideal for rooftop camping.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering 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 featured a 9-inch screen, wireless phone charging, and a 10.8-inch head-up display. However, the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster had readability issues due to low contrast.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness was equipped with an 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system, integrating climate control. While physical knobs and buttons were provided for some functions, most controls required the touchscreen. Voice recognition technology was less responsive, but Apple CarPlay and Android Auto offered better functionality. The Wilderness trim lacked a premium audio system, which was available on other Outback grades.

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 later models.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness included the EyeSight suite, offering adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assistance. The Wilderness trim also featured steering-responsive LED headlights and a blind-spot warning system. While crash-test results for the Wilderness were unavailable, the standard Outback earned a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.