2021 Nissan Rogue vs 2022 Toyota Venza

The 2021 Nissan Rogue underwent a complete redesign, presenting a more muscular and imposing presence for this compact SUV. 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 Rogue's boxier proportions. The exterior colour palette was simplified to a few basic colours, with additional two-tone options 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 Toyota Venza, reintroduced on the TGNA-K platform, boasted excellent proportions and a modern exterior design reminiscent of Lexus models. Its most striking feature was the deeply scalloped body side, emphasizing power with a bulging rear fender. The tailgate was eye-catching, bisected by a stripe of LED lighting, while the prominent nose gave it a unique look. Inside, the Venza offered an elegant layout with high-quality materials, featuring a layered dash and well-placed touchscreen displays. The front seats were supportive, and the rear seats comfortably accommodated three adults, making the Venza a stylish and practical choice for families.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue was powered by a 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 newer direct-injected version, improving performance and fuel efficiency over the previous generation. The Rogue's curb weight ranged from 1,536 kg for the FWD S grade to 1,653 kg for the AWD Platinum model. Despite the CVT's presence, the Rogue's performance was standard across the lineup, with no alternate powertrains 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 AWD increased these figures slightly. The Rogue's handling improved significantly, with better torsional rigidity, a lower weight, and updated suspension systems.

The 2022 Toyota Venza featured a 2.5-litre inline four-cylinder engine paired with three electric motors, delivering a combined 219 horsepower. The hybrid system balanced electric and gas drive for optimal efficiency, with electric motors at the rear axle providing AWD capability. Drivers could choose from EV, Normal, Eco, and Sport modes, with regenerative braking recharging the lithium-ion battery. The Venza offered sprightly performance and agile handling, sharing a wheelbase with the Camry. While not designed for aggressive cornering, the Venza excelled as a midsize family hauler, delivering a comfortable and efficient ride.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue featured several functional updates, including a quieter cabin and a new shift-by-wire system, creating additional storage space. The rear doors opened to 85 degrees, improving access, and second-row headroom was enhanced. Standard features included heated front seats, steering wheel, and exterior mirrors, with upgrades available on higher trims. The Platinum grade offered a redesigned Divide and Hide cargo system, providing 1,028 litres of cargo space with the second row upright and 2,064 litres with them folded. The system allowed for a 5 cm cargo floor height adjustment and a panel for separating cargo.

The 2022 Toyota Venza seated five in two rows, with ample headroom and legroom. The second row offered 114.8 cm of hip room, accommodating three adults comfortably. The cabin felt spacious, especially with the available Star Gaze panoramic sunroof. Convenience features included an overhead console, power-adjustable front seats, and an electric parking brake. The Venza's lithium-ion battery pack was located beneath the second-row seats, minimally impacting cargo capacity. It offered 816 litres of luggage space behind the second row and 1,560 litres with the seats folded. Toyota focused on creating a quiet cabin, using sound-blocking materials throughout.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue came equipped 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, while the Platinum grade featured a 9-inch screen, wireless phone charging, and a Bose 10-speaker audio system. The 10.8-inch head-up display was a notable upgrade, though the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster had readability issues.

The 2022 Toyota Venza's hybrid powertrain required no special attention, offering a seamless driving experience without the need for charging infrastructure. The Venza LE featured an 8-inch touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, while the XLE and Limited trims added a 12.3-inch touchscreen, JBL audio system, and navigation. The Limited grade included a head-up display, rain-sensing wipers, and a digital rearview mirror. Toyota Connected Services provided various safety and remote features, with a 5-inch instrument cluster display on LE models and a 7-inch screen on higher trims.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue included the Safety Shield 360 suite as standard, featuring 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 Toyota Venza came with the Toyota Star Safety System, offering stability control, traction control, and anti-lock brakes. It featured eight airbags and the Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 suite, including forward collision warning and adaptive cruise control. The Venza received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA, with additional safety features on higher trims.