2021 Nissan Rogue vs 2020 Land Rover Defender

The 2020 Land Rover Defender hearkened back to its rugged roots, much like the classic LR4, with its squared-off edges, raised roof toward the rear, ample glass, and round headlights. It featured short overhangs and skid plates designed for tough trails. The design retained elements that served no modern function but evoked nostalgia, such as step plates on the front fenders and a ladder on the back hatch, harking to the days when owners would walk over their Defenders. The exterior exhibited "alpine lights," signature narrow windows to aid in navigation on difficult Alpine passes.

The Defender's rear was adorned with rounded rectangles for taillights and an external spare tire, opening like a vault door. The car could be customized for urban or off-road adventures, with themes and options including black fender flares, skid plates, vinyl graphics, and paint wraps. The Defender's interior was basic by design, focused on durability rather than luxury, with exposed aluminum bars and screws, optional water-resistant synthetic leather, and an intuitive, though sparse, interface.

On the other hand, the 2021 Nissan Rogue embraced a more modern SUV look with technical styling. It sported dark gray cladding on the lower perimeter, bold skid plates, and sharp LED lighting elements. The design was further enhanced with a prominent V-Motion grille and proportionate aluminum wheels up to 19 inches. Optional two-tone paint with a black roof provided a custom appearance.

Inside, the Rogue offered a much more luxurious experience, especially in Platinum trim with semi-aniline quilted leather. The interior had abundant soft-touch surfaces, simulated wood trim, and a clean layout of controls. The climate control displayed a vintage-style digital clock, adding a quirky touch. With a standard panoramic sunroof, the cabin felt airy and upscale, elevating the overall sense of quality and comfort.

Driving the 2020 Land Rover Defender justified its high price. It remained quiet and plush across all surfaces. The optional 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged inline-six engine produced 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque, making it powerful and quick, even with its robust off-road capabilities. The vehicle's air suspension system excellently cushioned bumps and rough terrain. The standard milder 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine generated 296 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, catering more to the lighter, two-door Defender 90.

Its off-road prowess was bolstered by Terrain Response 2 and adjustable-height suspensions. During tests at Land Rover’s driving school, the Defender tackled steep climbs, rocky trails, and deep water crossings with ease. The steering and braking required force and precision, indicative of an older SUV’s character but enhanced by modern torque vectoring and differential technology.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue opted for simplicity in its powertrain, with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine offering 181 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque. This setup proved adequate for daily driving but felt underpowered during more demanding situations. Nonetheless, the CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) performed admirably in smoothing power delivery.

Equipped with available all-wheel drive and up to 8.2 inches of ground clearance, the Rogue was capable enough for light off-road tasks. Though future updates hinted at a potential turbocharged engine, the Rogue's current setup fared well in everyday use, delivering an enjoyable driving experience. The chassis was robust, with a suspension system that provided a comfortable and composed ride.

The 2020 Land Rover Defender was designed with versatility and durability in mind. The SUV’s interior prioritizes functionality over luxury, with utilitarian features like a front jump seat configuration allowing up to six passengers in the two-door Defender 90 or seven in the four-door Defender 110. The panoramic sunroof and folding fabric roof added to the spacious feel. Cargo space varied with configuration: the Defender 90 offered 16 cubic feet of cargo space, extending to 58 with rear seats folded. The Defender 110 had 34 cubic feet behind the second row and 79 with these seats folded. With the third row, cargo capacity decreased to 69 cubic feet. Impressively, the Defender could tow up to 8,200 pounds, showcasing its robust capability.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue excelled in terms of interior comfort and innovation, featuring Nissan's Zero Gravity seat designs that aimed to minimize fatigue. The Rogue’s multi-tiered interior options included cloth, leatherette, genuine leather, and semi-aniline leather, with added features like heated seats and a heated steering wheel. Rear-seat comfort was enhanced with ample headroom and legroom, rear air conditioning vents, and a nearly 90-degree rear door opening angle for easy access. A power rear liftgate led to a cargo area offering up to 36.5 cubic feet with adjustable management, and folding rear seats increased the capacity to 74.1 cubic feet.

The 2020 Land Rover Defender came equipped with the new Pivi Pro infotainment system. This ambitious overhaul aimed to rectify previous issues, allowing smoother operation and dual SIM support for multiple data streams. The off-road-readiness was emphasized by features like ground view cameras and off-road specific data like pitch and roll angles. Despite promising enhancements, the interface still had a few ergonomic issues, such as small zoom icons and overlays that interfered with the map. Most advanced features, including a 12-inch digital instrument panel and a 14-speaker Meridian audio system, were reserved for higher trims.

By contrast, the 2021 Nissan Rogue’s technology suite offered user-friendly and modern features across all trims. The base S trim included an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a six-month trial to Nissan Concierge. Moving up to SV and SL trims added NissanConnect services, a WiFi hotspot, and integration with both Alexa and Google Assistant. Premium trims featured a larger 9-inch touchscreen with door-to-door navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay, and premium Bose audio. The Platinum trim included a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, 10.8-inch head-up display, and wireless smartphone charging.

The 2020 Land Rover Defender came with six airbags, including standard forward emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and a 360-degree camera system. Optional features included rear cross-traffic alerts and vehicle exit alerts. Crash-test ratings were not available due to its price and limited volume.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue prioritized safety with a comprehensive suite of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) under the Nissan Safety Shield 360 umbrella. This included automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and a blind-spot warning system. Notably, adaptive cruise control with lane-centering was standard from the SV trim upward. Features like rear cross-traffic alerts, rear-seat reminders, and an airbag between the front seats were also highlighted in the Rogue Platinum trim. Although new, crash-test ratings were unavailable at the time, the extensive use of high-strength steel in the vehicle's architecture suggested robust crash protection.