2021 Nissan Rogue vs 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe offered a diverse range of trims, each with distinct styling elements that set them apart. The base LS and popular LT trims featured different grille patterns, while the sporty RST trim boasted a slotted grille, a blacked-out appearance, and 22-inch wheels. The rugged Z71 trim combined the LS grille with a blacked-out look, a redesigned front end for off-roading, red tow hooks, a skid plate, and unique 20-inch wheels with all-terrain tires. The upscale Premier trim adopted the RST’s slotted grille with chrome accents and polished wheels, while the luxurious High Country trim showcased a chrome bar grille and bright-finished 22-inch wheels. The Tahoe's design was dominated by its grille, with standard LED headlights and expressive taillights enhancing its look. Despite its familiar design themes, the new Tahoe appeared more slab-sided, with larger wheels improving its overall appearance.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue sported a handsome new styling with a more technical appearance, making it look more like an SUV. It featured dark gray plastic cladding, bold simulated skid plates, and lower door protection, giving it a rugged look. Clean LED lighting elements, a prominent V-Motion grille, and proper proportioning lent the Rogue a modern aesthetic. All trim levels included aluminum wheels up to 19 inches in diameter, and an optional two-tone paint with a black roof treatment added a custom look. The Rogue was available in four trims: S, SV, SL, and the new-for-2021 Platinum, each offering varying levels of luxury and amenities. The interior of the Rogue was light and bright, with an Almond color leather interior and a standard panoramic glass sunroof, emphasizing its improved roominess and quality.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe offered three engine options. Most trims came with a 5.3-liter V8 engine producing 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque. The High Country trim featured a 6.2-liter V8 engine with 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. A turbocharged 3.0-liter diesel inline six-cylinder engine, offering 277 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque, was available for all trims except the Z71. The Tahoe's 10-speed automatic transmission powered the rear wheels, with a four-wheel-drive system optional on most trims. The Z71 trim came standard with 4WD, hill descent control, and all-terrain tires. The major engineering change for the 2021 Tahoe was the adoption of an independent rear suspension, improving ride quality and interior comfort. The Z71 trim impressed with its smooth ride, thanks to adaptive damping and air suspension upgrades. The 5.3-liter V8 engine and 10-speed automatic transmission delivered refined and capable performance, with a fuel economy of 18 mpg in combined driving.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue was powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 181 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque. While adequate for daily driving, the engine felt underpowered for adventurous driving. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) did a decent job of leveraging available torque, with programmed ratios making it feel more like a traditional automatic. The Rogue offered available all-wheel drive, up to 8.2 inches of ground clearance, and new Snow and Off-Road driving modes. The Rogue's ride and handling were commendable, with a new architecture composed of 35% high-strength steel, a strut front, and multi-link rear suspension. Brake-induced Intelligent Trace Control and Active Ride Control systems enhanced ride quality. The Rogue's new steering, with electric assist moved to the steering rack and a quickened ratio, resulted in improved steering feel. The tested Rogue SL with front-wheel drive achieved 27.5 mpg on a driving loop, slightly below the official EPA rating.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe benefited from a new independent rear suspension, improving passenger comfort and cargo space. The test vehicle featured heated power-adjustable front seats and a heated steering wheel. The power sliding storage console was a recommended feature, providing a large storage tray and a locking drawer. The second-row offered a 3-person bench seat or individual captain’s chairs, with the latter option proving comfortable. The third-row seat room was substantially improved, accommodating adults comfortably. The new Tahoe provided 25.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat, 72.6 cubic feet with the rear seat folded, and a maximum volume of 122.9 cubic feet, surpassing most full-size SUVs.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue featured improved Zero Gravity seats, offering comfort across all trims. The S trim had cloth seats with a manual driver's height adjuster, while the SV trim added eight-way power adjustment and optional leatherette upholstery. The SL trim had standard leather, and the Platinum trim offered premium leather. The Rogue's interior was quieter, thanks to aerodynamic improvements and acoustic front glass. Storage was well-sized, with a new electronic shifter freeing up space under the center console. The Rogue offered 31.6 cubic feet of cargo capacity in the S and SV trims, and up to 36.5 cubic feet in the SL and Platinum trims with the Divide-N-Hide cargo management system. The maximum cargo volume was 74.1 cubic feet, among the largest in the compact crossover segment.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe featured a standard 10.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, voice recognition, and Chevrolet Connected Services. The system was easy to use, though main-menu shortcut icons were somewhat hard to access. The voice-recognition system was impressive, responding accurately to natural prompts. The test vehicle included a wireless charging pad and a mid-grade 9-speaker Bose audio system. The Rear Seat Media system offered versatility, though it was not fully tested. The Tahoe also offered an available 15-inch head-up display.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue offered a competitive infotainment package, with an 8-inch touchscreen display, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto in the S trim. The SV and SL trims added NissanConnect Services, a WiFi hotspot, and Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant integration. The SL Premium Package and Platinum trim featured a larger 9-inch touchscreen, door-to-door navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay, and a Bose premium audio system. The Platinum trim also included wireless smartphone charging, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and a 10.8-inch head-up display.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe came standard with Teen Driver, a rear-seat reminder system, forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, and low-speed automatic emergency braking. Higher trims or options added lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, and rear pedestrian detection. Premier and High Country trims included adaptive cruise control and high-speed automatic emergency braking. The Tahoe's available surround-view camera was recommended for maneuvering in tight spaces. Crash-test results were unavailable at the time of review.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue was equipped with Nissan Safety Shield 360, including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, and a blind-spot warning system with rear cross-traffic alert. The Rogue featured ten airbags, a driver monitoring system, and a rear-seat reminder system. Platinum trim added an airbag between the driver and front passenger. ProPilot Assist with adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assistance was standard on the SV trim, with an upgraded version available on the SL Premium Package and Platinum trim. Crash-test results were unavailable, but the Rogue's architecture aimed to deflect crash energy away from the passenger compartment.