2021 Subaru Outback vs 2022 Nissan Rogue

The 2021 Subaru Outback retained its familiar and comfortable design, reminiscent of older models, yet offered a fresher interior compared to its smaller sibling, the Crosstrek. The Outback's interior, especially in trims above the base, featured a bright and sharp 11.6-inch portrait display, surrounded by polished black plastic and chrome trim, enhancing its modern appeal. The Outdoor XT trim added a unique touch with water-resistant synthetic upholstery and lime green contrast stitching, giving it a rugged yet stylish look. Externally, the Outback maintained its smooth and plain styling, with high gray cladding on its wheel arches and bumpers, emphasizing its lifted wagon design. The addition of adaptive LED headlights and a new brown paint option for certain trims were among the few changes for 2021.

In contrast, the 2022 Nissan Rogue continued its mature and sophisticated design from the previous year's transformation. It featured a V-motion grille, multi-level LED headlights, and a floating roof design, contributing to its sleek appearance. The Rogue's exterior also included active grille shutters and underbody covers to enhance airflow. Inside, the Rogue boasted a layered dash design with contrasting colours and surfaces, providing a detailed and tasteful look. The centre console was notable for its electronic gear selector lever, creating more space for storage. The Rogue's interior was equipped with a 9-inch infotainment display and a choice of digital instrument panels, enhancing its modern and tech-savvy appeal.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's performance was characterized by its two engine options. The base 2.5-litre boxer flat-four engine, producing 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque, struggled with the vehicle's weight, especially when fully loaded, resulting in sluggish acceleration and noise. However, the turbocharged 2.4-litre flat-four engine available in the XT trims offered a significant improvement, delivering 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque, making it more capable of keeping up with traffic. Despite the turbo engine's slightly higher fuel consumption, it provided a quieter and smoother ride. The Outback's handling was forgiving, with a focus on ride comfort and off-road capability, thanks to its high ground clearance and electronically-variable AWD system, which offered superior traction and control in various conditions.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue, on the other hand, benefited from a new 1.5-litre VC-Turbo engine, producing 201 horsepower and 225 lb-ft of torque. This engine, with its variable compression technology, provided a noticeable boost in performance compared to the previous model, offering lively acceleration and improved fuel efficiency. The Rogue's CVT transmission featured wider gear ratios, enhancing its responsiveness in various driving situations. The chassis and suspension delivered a smooth and controlled ride, with minimal body roll, while the electric power-assisted steering offered good feedback. The Rogue's performance was further complemented by its tight turning diameter, making it agile and easy to maneuver.

The 2021 Subaru Outback offered impressive interior space, with 2,144 litres of cargo capacity with the rear seats folded and 920 litres with them raised. The cargo area was wide and flat, free of obstructions, making it practical for various loads. The Outback provided ample headroom and legroom in all seating positions, with excellent outward visibility. Storage options were plentiful, with large map pockets, bottle holders, and additional compartments in the front centre console. However, some features like push-button start and rear console climate vents were not standard on lower trims. The Outback's standout feature was its standard roof rails with integrated crossbars, allowing for easy installation of a roof rack.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue also excelled in interior space, offering 1,033 litres of cargo capacity with the rear seats up and 2,098 litres with them folded. The Rogue's cabin was designed with practicality in mind, featuring numerous storage options, including bottle holders, cupholders, and various compartments throughout the cabin. Rear-seat passengers had access to USB ports and storage options, while the second-row seat offered a 60/40 split reclining bench. The Rogue's cargo area was spacious and versatile, making it suitable for various needs.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's infotainment system, while functional, appeared dated with its graphics and interface. However, it offered standard features like SiriusXM satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The EyeSight system, standard on all trims, provided adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and forward automatic emergency braking, though it relied solely on cameras without radar assistance.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue, on the other hand, featured a more advanced technology suite, with a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, a 9-inch infotainment touchscreen, and a 10.8-inch head-up display on upper trims. Standard features included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, with wireless Apple CarPlay available on higher trims. ProPilot Assist, integrated with the navigation system, offered advanced driver-assist capabilities, enhancing safety and convenience.

The 2021 Subaru Outback boasted a strong and stiff chassis, with standard driver and passenger airbags, and additional safety features available on higher trims. It earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though it received four stars for the front passenger in a frontal crash and rollover test.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue featured the Nissan Safety Shield 360 suite, offering a comprehensive range of safety technologies, including automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. ProPilot Assist further enhanced safety with its advanced driver-assist capabilities. The Rogue received a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.