2021 Nissan Rogue vs 2022 Volkswagen Atlas

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 Platinum model offering the most luxurious interior.

In contrast, the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas carried over with minor modifications from its previous model year. The Execline trim, which was the top of the Canadian line-up, featured standard R-Line design elements, including 21-inch alloy wheels that complemented the SUV's bold styling. The interior was simple yet premium, though some materials were crafted to a low-cost point, resulting in an abundance of hard, shiny plastics. Despite this, the Atlas offered a spacious and comfortable cabin, with ample room for seven passengers and numerous storage areas. However, the unlined storage areas could lead to unwanted noise from items sliding around.

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 was paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), which, while not offering alternate powertrains, provided a standard level of performance across the line-up. The Rogue's fuel efficiency was respectable, with figures of 8.9 L/100 km in the city and 7.0 L/100 km on the highway for the front-wheel-drive model. The all-wheel-drive version saw slight increases in these figures. The Rogue's handling was significantly improved, with better torsional rigidity, a lower weight, and an updated suspension system, resulting in a stable and planted road feel.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas offered two engine options: a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine and a 3.6-litre V6. The turbo-four produced 235 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, but required premium fuel for maximum output. The V6, standard on the Execline trim, delivered 276 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque, with a towing capacity of up to 2,268 kilograms. The Atlas featured an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. While the V6 provided adequate power, its lack of refinement and efficiency was noticeable. The Atlas offered various driving modes and an Active Control system for different conditions, but its ride quality was affected by the large wheels and low-profile tires, leading to a busy ride on uneven surfaces.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue offered functional updates across all trims, including a quieter cabin and a new shift-by-wire system that added storage space. The second-row doors opened to 85 degrees, improving access, and headroom was increased. Standard features included heated front seats, a heated 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 up to 2,064 litres of cargo space with the rear seats folded.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas excelled in interior space and comfort, seating seven people with ample head and legroom. The step-in height was low, making entry and exit easy. The Atlas offered numerous storage areas, though many were unlined, leading to potential noise. Cargo space was exceptional, with 583 litres behind the third row, expanding to 2,741 litres with the second and third rows folded. The Atlas's interior was equipped with features like heated seats, a panoramic sunroof, and genuine leather upholstery on higher trims.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with 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, a wireless charging pad, and a Bose 10-speaker audio system. However, the digital instrument cluster's graphics were difficult to read due to low contrast.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas came standard with the Digital Cockpit instrument cluster, with an 8-inch display on lower trims and a 10.25-inch display on higher trims. The Trendline trim had a 6.5-inch touchscreen, while other trims featured the MIB3 infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 12-speaker Fender audio system on the Execline trim. However, the infotainment system's user experience was hindered by slow loading times and a cumbersome process for tuning radio stations.

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 added 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 made to later models.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas offered a comprehensive list of safety features, including automatic post-collision braking, Front Assist, Side Assist, and Rear Traffic Alert. Higher trims added adaptive cruise control, parking sensors, and a surround-view camera system. However, the Lane Assist technology had issues with old construction markings, and the system could not be easily disabled while driving. The Atlas received four-star ratings in frontal-impact tests from the NHTSA but did not earn a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS.