2021 Nissan Rogue vs 2021 Buick Encore GX

The 2021 Buick Encore GX boasted a substantial improvement in styling over its predecessor, often referred to as "the shoe" when it first appeared in 2013. The Encore GX, by contrast, displayed attractive proportions and smooth, appealing lines across its exterior design. The SUV came in three trims: Preferred, Select, and Essence. All trims offered the option to add the sporty Encore GX Sport Touring (ST) package. Buyers had the choice between front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) configurations, with two turbocharged three-cylinder engines available: a 1.2-liter (FWD only) and a 1.3-liter (FWD and AWD). Prices began at $24,200 for the Preferred FWD trim with the smaller engine, escalating to $30,600 for the Essence AWD with the larger engine. Our test model featured the Essence trim with the 1.3-liter turbocharged engine and various upgrades, totaling $35,065 including destination charges.

In contrast, the 2021 Nissan Rogue showcased bold new styling with a distinctly SUV-like appearance, including dark gray plastic cladding, robust skid plates, and lower door protection. Complemented by LED lighting elements and a prominent V-Motion grille, the Rogue exuded a modern aesthetic. Available in four trims—S, SV, SL, and the luxurious Platinum—the Rogue's prices ranged from $25,650 for the base S to $35,430 for the Platinum, excluding $1,095 in destination charges. Our test vehicle was a Rogue SL with additional optional features, bringing its total to $35,195.

The Rogue's interior, featuring an Almond leather color palette and a panoramic glass sunroof, emphasized spaciousness and comfort. The Rogue's cabin also benefited from appealing soft-touch surfaces, simulated wood trim, and fabric-wrapped windshield pillars, giving it an upscale feel. All trims offered aluminum wheels, with sizes up to 19 inches available.

The 2021 Buick Encore GX came equipped with two engine options. The standard 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine delivered 137 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 162 pound-feet of torque at 2,500 rpm. The larger 1.3-liter engine, producing 155 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 174 pound-feet of torque at 1,600 rpm, was recommended for better performance. Despite the increase in power, the driving experience in the Encore GX was considered "adequate," with sufficient power to cruise at freeway speeds but lacking significant refinement. FWD models employed a continuously variable transmission (CVT), while AWD configurations utilized a nine-speed automatic transmission. The vehicle's ride quality varied, often feeling brittle on poorly maintained roads and bouncy over bumps, yet it performed well on narrow, winding backroads.

Fuel economy for the Encore GX averaged 28.2 mpg during testing, slightly below the EPA's highway estimate by 2.8 mpg.

In comparison, the 2021 Nissan Rogue was powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 181 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 181 pound-feet of torque at 3,600 rpm. While this output sufficed for daily driving, the Rogue felt underpowered, especially in mountainous regions. The CVT in the Rogue efficiently managed the engine's power, offering a smooth driving experience, and paddle shifters were included but seldom used. The Rogue's AWD configuration provided up to 8.2 inches of ground clearance and included new Snow and Off-Road driving modes for better versatility.

Nissan's focus on ride and handling was evident in the Rogue, which featured a robust architecture with a 35% high-strength steel composition. This, combined with a multi-link rear suspension and improved steering feel, resulted in a smooth and athletic driving experience. Fuel economy for the tested Rogue SL stood at 27.5 mpg, just 1.5 mpg short of the EPA's rating.

The 2021 Buick Encore GX offered a commanding driving position, with small yet supportive front seats suitable for extended drives. The test vehicle featured power-adjustable seats for both the driver and passenger, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. Rear accommodations were less comfortable, with limited thigh support and a lack of rear air conditioning vents. The Encore GX provided a decent amount of storage, with 23.5 cubic feet of cargo space expanding to 50.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The hands-free power liftgate was a costly option but the fold-flat front passenger seat was a practical addition for carrying long items.

On the other hand, the 2021 Nissan Rogue excelled in interior comfort and spaciousness. The improved Zero Gravity seats, available in cloth, leatherette, or premium leather depending on the trim, provided enhanced comfort. Higher trims included heated seats, a heated steering wheel, and even heated rear seats. The Rogue featured triple-zone climate control in higher trims and standard rear air conditioning vents. The back seat offered generous headroom and legroom, along with nearly 90-degree opening rear doors for easy passenger access.

Interior storage in the Rogue was practical and well-designed, with spacious door-panel pockets and a center console with a split opening for easier access. Cargo capacity was 31.6 cubic feet for the S and SV trims, expanding to 36.5 cubic feet for the SL and Platinum trims with the Divide-N-Hide system. The maximum cargo volume reached 74.1 cubic feet, ranking among the best in its class.

The 2021 Buick Encore GX Essence trim came equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity for two devices, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. Additional features included a navigation system, voice recognition, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and a surround-view camera. Wireless smartphone charging was available through the optional Convenience Package. Despite the numerous tech features, the test vehicle lacked the available 7-speaker Bose premium sound system.

In contrast, the 2021 Nissan Rogue provided a competitive infotainment package starting with an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto in the base S trim. Higher trims added NissanConnect Services, a WiFi hotspot, Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant integration, and a larger 9-inch display with door-to-door navigation. The SL Premium Package and Platinum trim included a Bose premium audio system, as well as wireless Apple CarPlay compatibility.

The Rogue's infotainment system was user-friendly, though the knobs and shortcut buttons were somewhat hard to grasp. The voice recognition system performed well, providing accurate results and good sound quality with the Bose system. The Platinum trim further boasted advanced technology features such as wireless smartphone charging, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and a 10.8-inch head-up display.

The 2021 Buick Encore GX came standard with the Buick Driver Confidence package, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available with the Preferred trim and standard on higher trims, along with adaptive cruise control and the Teen Driver technology. The adaptive cruise control demonstrated some limitations in its stop-and-go function and distance management settings, but the Encore GX earned a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue emphasized safety with the Nissan Safety Shield 360, incorporating automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, and standard blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic alert. Every Rogue also included a rear-seat reminder system, ten airbags, and a driver monitoring system. The SV trim featured ProPilot Assist driving aid with adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assistance, while the SL Premium Package and Platinum trim added Navi-link technology. Although crash-test results were unavailable at the time, the Rogue's robust structure and advanced safety features suggested strong protective capabilities.