2021 Nissan Rogue vs 2021 Audi Q3

The 2021 Audi Q3 stood out in an era marked by "postmodern automotive styling." Its massive Audi corporate grille was well-received and fit seamlessly with its robust, chunky styling. This exterior communicated an impression of utility and dynamic handling, though it primarily delivered on the latter. Inside, the Q3 maintained this modern and mechanical aesthetic. Its dash design framed the center touchscreen, emphasizing one of the vehicle's top features. When first introduced in 2019, the Q3's interior design was a standout. However, newer Volkswagen interiors mimicked its design, making Audi's once special interiors feel less exclusive.

In contrast, the 2021 Nissan Rogue showcased a handsome new styling meant to align more with SUV aesthetics than car design. Dark gray plastic cladding, bold skid plates, and lower door protection gave it a rugged look. Clean LED lighting elements and a V-Motion grille lent a modern aesthetic, further enhanced by optional two-tone paint with a black roof. Available trims included the entry-level Rogue S, the popular Rogue SV, the more luxurious Rogue SL, and the high-end Rogue Platinum, each adding layers of sophistication and amenities.

The 2021 Audi Q3 came powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine generating 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. This engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission to deliver power to its Quattro AWD. Opting for the S-Line trim upgraded the same engine to 228 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. Despite being an optional engine, its performance was lively and responsive, especially in Sport mode. The Q3 offered Audi’s Drive Select with multiple driving modes, including Auto, Comfort, Dynamic, and Off-Road, though the latter was more for light trails.

Meanwhile, the 2021 Nissan Rogue was equipped with a direct-injected 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 181 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque. The engine’s output was described as "adequate" for daily driving, but its lack of turbocharged power was notable, especially given the Rogue’s nearly 3,500-pound weight. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) was efficient, adopting programmed ratios to mimic a traditional automatic. The Rogue's AWD capabilities, coupled with various drive modes like Snow and Off-Road, made it a competent vehicle for diverse terrains.

The 2021 Audi Q3 provided 48 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 23.7 cubic feet with them upright. While the space behind the seats was decent for a subcompact luxury SUV, the overall cargo capacity was subpar. However, its passenger space compensated for this deficiency, offering comfortable front seats and generous headroom and legroom at the rear.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue, on the other hand, offered 31.6 cubic feet of cargo space in its lower trims and up to 36.5 cubic feet in the higher trims equipped with the Divide-N-Hide system. With the rear seats folded, the cargo space expanded significantly to 74.1 cubic feet, placing it among the largest in its class. The Zero Gravity seats in the Rogue improved comfort, and features like a triple-zone climate control system and rear side window sunshades added to passenger convenience. Additionally, the rear doors opened to a near 90-degree angle, making it easier to load passengers.

The 2021 Audi Q3 was equipped with an 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system running Audi’s MMI system. The system included standard features like Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay. An upgrade to a 10.1-inch touchscreen with navigation was available, alongside options like a Bang & Olufsen 15-speaker audio system. The Audi Virtual Cockpit replaced the traditional instrument cluster with a fully digital display, customizable to display navigation maps.

For the 2021 Nissan Rogue, the base infotainment system came with an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Higher trims introduced features like NissanConnect Services, WiFi hotspot, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and a larger 9-inch touchscreen with door-to-door navigation. The top-tier Platinum trim added wireless smartphone charging, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and a 10.8-inch head-up display.

The 2021 Audi Q3 came with Audi Pre Sense and Pre Sense Front as standard, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and pedestrian detection. Lane-departure warning was also standard. Optional safety features included blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and a 360-degree camera system.

Safety was a key focus in the 2021 Nissan Rogue, equipped with the Nissan Safety Shield 360 suite as standard. This bundle included features from automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection to lane-departure warning, and notably, a blind-spot warning system with rear cross-traffic alert. Higher trims added ProPilot Assist, which included adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assistance. The Platinum trim featured Navi-link technology to optimize speed for curves and freeway exits, enhancing the overall driving experience.