2021 Cadillac XT5 vs 2022 Nissan Rogue

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 showcased Cadillac's efforts to reclaim its status as a refined luxury brand. Updated in 2020 with 40 enhancements, including a new engine option and revised styling, the XT5 carried these changes into 2021. The SUV featured standard LED lights and 20-inch wheels, giving it a sophisticated and stylish appearance. Inside, the XT5's Premium Luxury trim exuded elegance with cut and sewn leather, natural wood, and carbon fiber accents, offering a more upscale experience than its GM sibling, the Chevrolet Blazer.

In contrast, the 2022 Nissan Rogue continued its transformation from a slightly cute crossover to a more mature and sophisticated vehicle. The exterior design borrowed elements from other Nissan models, such as the V-motion grille and multi-level LED headlights. The floating roof and bulging liftgate added to its sleek look. Inside, the Rogue featured a layered dash with contrasting colors and surfaces, an electronic gear selector lever, and ample storage options. The Zero Gravity front seats and roomy second row provided comfort for passengers, while the fit and finish, especially in the Platinum model, were exemplary.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 offered three trim levels: Luxury, Premium Luxury, and Sport. The Luxury and Premium Luxury trims came with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 237 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. The Premium Luxury trim could be upgraded to a 3.6-liter V6 engine with 310 hp and 237 lb-ft of torque, which was standard on the Sport trim. Both engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The V6 provided immediate throttle response but could benefit from additional low-end torque. The XT5 achieved about 25 mpg in AWD during a 2,000-mile test drive, surpassing the EPA-estimated 21 mpg combined for the V6.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue, on the other hand, received a new 1.5-liter VC-Turbo engine with three cylinders, producing 201 horsepower and 225 lb-ft of torque. This was an 11% increase in horsepower and a 24% increase in torque compared to the 2021 model's 2.5-liter engine. The new engine improved the Rogue's performance and fuel economy, achieving an EPA-estimated 30 mpg city/37 mpg highway/33 mpg combined. The Rogue's CVT transmission had wider gear ratios, enhancing acceleration and responsiveness. The chassis and suspension provided a smooth, controlled ride with minimal body roll, and the electric power-assisted steering offered good feel and a tight turning diameter.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 accommodated four adults comfortably in two rows, though it technically seated five. The back seat had limited headroom for tall occupants, but legroom was good in both rows. The front seats, while heated, were not as comfortable on long trips due to a hard bottom cushion. The XT5 offered 30 cubic feet of cargo space, which was less than some competitors but benefited from a deep rear cargo area. However, wheel bump-outs reduced the width of the cargo space. Small-item storage was limited, with no good place for a smartphone within eyesight and small map pockets.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue excelled in interior space and storage options. The front cabin featured numerous storage areas, including bottle holders, cupholders, a glove compartment, a center console bin, and cubbies in the dash. Rear-seat passengers had storage options in the doors, seatbacks, and center armrest, along with USB-A and USB-C charge-only ports. The Rogue's cargo area offered 31.6-36.5 cubic feet of space, depending on configuration, and expanded to 74.1 cubic feet with the second row folded flat.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 featured a streamlined infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen housed in Piano Black plastic with haptic feedback. The tri-zone automatic climate control had a chrome toggle switch for temperature adjustments, though it often ran colder than displayed. The XT5 offered a heated steering wheel, heated outboard rear seats, and a 60/40 split-folding rear seat. The infotainment system included a rotary controller, one-touch phone pairing, an eight-speaker Bose sound system, wireless charging, and USB-A and USB-C ports. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with a 4G LTE WiFi hot spot and a 14-speaker Bose Performance Series sound system available. A rear camera mirror and head-up display were also offered.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue's technology upgrade included a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, a 9-inch center infotainment touchscreen, and a 10.8-inch head-up display on upper trims. The Rogue used Google Maps and Waze with voice commands for navigation, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with wireless Apple CarPlay available on higher trims. ProPilot Assist, Nissan's hands-on driver-assist technology, was available and integrated with the navigation system on models with ProPilot Assist with Navi-Link. The Intelligent Key allowed for unlocking the rear doors from the rear door handle, enhancing convenience for families.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 offered a range of safety features, including front automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane-change alert with side blind-zone alert. The XT5 also featured a rear-seat reminder, a rearview camera, and available Night Vision technology, which enhanced nighttime drivability. General Motors' Teen Driver software was standard, allowing parents to limit certain vehicle features and view a report card of driving habits.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue came with the Nissan Safety Shield 360 suite of safety technologies, including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, high beam assist, and rear automatic braking. The Rogue also had ten supplemental airbags, extended crumple zones, Intelligent Driver Alertness technology, and rear door alert. ProPilot Assist, available on higher trims, combined steering-assist and adaptive cruise control for a Level 2 advanced driver-assist system. The 2022 Rogue received a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS for the 2021 model.