2022 GMC Yukon vs 2022 Nissan Rogue

The 2022 GMC Yukon was a striking presence on the road, especially for those with a penchant for chrome. Even the base SLE model exuded a premium aura, thanks to its shiny accents. As one ascended the trim levels to the Denali, the chrome elements became even more pronounced, with the front of the Denali almost entirely constructed of chrome. The oversized, multi-dimensional grille, reminiscent of an industrial cheese grater, was flanked by GMC's signature C-shaped headlights, giving the vehicle a commanding presence. The Denali's 22-inch bright machined aluminum wheels, part of the optional Ultimate package, stood out against the dark Redwood Metallic paint, adding to its allure. Inside, the Yukon offered a spacious and tastefully crafted cabin, with standard seating for eight and options for second-row captain's chairs. The Denali trim boasted four exclusive interior designs, with our test vehicle featuring the elegant Teak/Light Shale colour combo, enhancing the premium feel with contrasting colours, unique stitching, and natural wood details.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue, having undergone a significant redesign in 2021, continued to impress with its mature and sophisticated exterior. The vehicle shared several design elements with other Nissan models, such as the V-motion grille and multi-level LED headlights. The floating roof design, aided by dark supporting pillars, added to its sleek appearance, while the slightly bulging liftgate completed the look. Inside, the Rogue featured a layered dash design with contrasting colours and surfaces, creating a sophisticated and detailed look. The centre console was a highlight, with an electronic gear selector lever that freed up space, allowing for additional storage beneath. The 9-inch centre infotainment display was positioned for optimal driver visibility, and the instrument panel offered either a 7-inch or a full 12.3-inch digital screen, depending on the trim. The Rogue's Zero Gravity bucket-style front seats provided comfort, and the roomy second row offered ample legroom for passengers.

The 2022 GMC Yukon offered a choice of three engines, catering to different performance needs. The standard engine for most trims was a 5.3-litre V8, delivering 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque. The Denali trim came with a more powerful 6.2-litre V8, producing 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. A new addition to the lineup was the 3.0-litre turbodiesel engine, affectionately known as the "Baby Duramax," which offered 277 horsepower and an impressive 460 pound-feet of torque. This diesel engine was noted for its excellent fuel efficiency, allowing the Yukon to travel over 1,000 kilometres on a single tank. All engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, and the vehicle offered both rear-wheel and four-wheel drive options. The Yukon's towing capacity reached up to 3,810 kilograms, provided it was equipped with the right engine and trailering package. The independent rear suspension, introduced in the previous redesign, improved handling and ride quality, although some bouncing was noted over rough terrain.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue received a performance boost with its new 1.5-litre VC-Turbo engine, which produced 201 horsepower and 225 pound-feet of torque. This represented a significant improvement over the previous model's engine, enhancing the Rogue's performance across various driving conditions. The engine's variable compression technology allowed for efficient power delivery, adjusting the compression ratio based on the driver's demands. The Rogue's fuel consumption was impressive, with estimates of 7.8 litres per 100 kilometres in the city and 6.5 on the highway. The vehicle's CVT transmission was updated to cover a wider range of gear ratios, improving acceleration and responsiveness. The Rogue's chassis and suspension handled the new engine's power well, providing a smooth and controlled ride with minimal body roll. The electric power-assisted steering offered good feedback, and the tight turning diameter made manoeuvring easy.

The 2022 GMC Yukon excelled in providing ample interior space, especially with its recent redesign. The third-row legroom increased significantly, offering 886 mm of space, making it more comfortable for passengers. The cargo space behind the third row also saw an increase, now offering 722 litres of capacity. The vehicle's extended wheelbase and length, along with the independent rear suspension, contributed to the additional space. The second-row seats could fold flat, and power fold-and-tumble bucket seats were available for easier access to the third row. The Denali trim featured a power-sliding centre console, revealing additional storage space and a hidden drawer for valuables. The power-retractable, illuminated assist steps made entry and exit easier, although they could be challenging to keep clean in wet conditions. The pushbutton transmission controls, located to the left of the infotainment touchscreen, required some adjustment but became intuitive with use.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue offered a well-thought-out interior with numerous storage options for both front and rear passengers. The front cabin featured bottle holders, cupholders, a glove compartment, a centre console bin, and various cubbies, along with USB-A, USB-C, and 12-volt outlets. Rear-seat passengers had access to storage in the doors, seatbacks, and centre armrest, along with USB charging ports. The second-row seat was a 60/40 split reclining bench, providing flexibility for passengers and cargo. The Rogue's cargo area was generous, offering up to 1,033 litres of space, which expanded to 2,098 litres with the second row folded flat. This made the Rogue a practical choice for those needing ample cargo capacity.

The 2022 GMC Yukon came equipped with a range of modern technology features. The 12-inch reconfigurable driver information centre provided access to phone, audio, and navigation functions, controlled via the steering wheel. The Denali trim featured a 15-inch multi-colour head-up display, offering driving speed, safety aids, and off-road information. The 10.2-inch touchscreen atop the centre stack housed the GMC infotainment system with Google Built-In, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The Bose 14-speaker audio system, while adequate, did not meet the usual expectations for Bose sound quality. The rear-seat media system included dual 12.6-inch LCD HD touchscreens, compatible with various media formats, although additional adapters were needed for some devices.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue's technology suite was enhanced with its 2021 redesign, featuring a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, a 9-inch centre 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, Nissan's driver-assist technology, was available, offering features like adaptive cruise control and steering assist. The system could adjust speed based on navigation data, enhancing safety and convenience. Nissan's Intelligent Key allowed for keyless entry on all doors, adding to the vehicle's practicality.

The 2022 GMC Yukon was equipped with the GMC Pro Safety suite, which included automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and more. The Pro Safety Plus package added features like blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert. The Safety Alert Seat and rear camera mirror enhanced safety further. The Yukon received a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with high marks for side crash protection but lower for rollover resistance. The IIHS had not yet tested the current-generation Yukon.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue featured the Nissan Safety Shield 360 suite, offering automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, and more. The vehicle also had ten airbags and extended crumple zones for passive safety. ProPilot Assist provided advanced driver-assist features, including adaptive cruise control and steering assist. The Rogue received a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.