2021 Nissan Rogue vs 2021 Chevrolet Trax

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax, which was based on a design introduced in 2015, carried over updates from the 2017 model year, including exterior and interior design modifications. The 2017 model also saw the first inclusion of standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Unfortunately, by 2021, the top-tier Premier trim was dropped, leaving only the LS and LT trims.

The base LS trim came with 16-inch painted aluminum wheels, remote keyless entry, cloth upholstery, manually adjustable front seats, dual front USB ports, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. It also featured the Chevrolet Infotainment 3 system with a 7-inch touchscreen. A $495 package added cruise control and window tinting, amenities standard on most competitors. The LT trim included heated, power-adjustable side mirrors, rear window tint, roof rails, LED lighting, remote start, cruise control, chrome moldings, silver skid plates, upgraded cloth and leatherette seats, a cargo cover, and a 120-volt AC outlet. The LT also offered several packages like the Redline Edition, Sport Edition, and Midnight Edition, adding visual flair.

In contrast, the 2021 Nissan Rogue presented a newer, more attractive design, exuding SUV appeal with dark gray plastic cladding, bold skid plates, and lower door protection accentuating its ruggedness. Clean LED lighting, a V-Motion grille, and precise proportioning reinforced a modern aesthetic. Multiple trims, such as the Rogue S, SV, SL, and the luxurious Platinum, provided various levels of sophistication. Notably, the Platinum trim featured semi-aniline quilted leather and other upscale touches. Optional two-tone paint further enhanced the Rogue's customized look. With trims ranging from the base Rogue S at $25,650 to the Platinum at $35,430 (plus $1,095 destination charges), buyers had diverse choices. The tested Rogue SL, complete with the SL Premium Package and additional features, cost $35,195.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax was equipped with a single powertrain option: a turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine producing 138 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. This setup powered either the front or all four wheels.

While this engine provided adequate performance for city driving, handling parking lots, and traffic stops, it struggled with highway speeds and passing maneuvers, producing substantial noise. The Trax's ride was firm, even harsh on rough roads, but its tight turning radius offered decent maneuverability in confined spaces. Competitors like the Hyundai Kona and Mazda CX-30 provided a smoother and more engaging driving experience. Chevrolet hinted at a retuned engine for the 2022 model, promising 155 horsepower while maintaining 177 pound-feet of torque.

Comparatively, the 2021 Nissan Rogue was powered by a direct-injected 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 181 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). Although this output was sufficient for daily driving, the 3,500-pound SUV felt underpowered, particularly on adventurous routes. The CVT, however, performed smoothly, mimicking traditional transmission shifts, and came with paddle shifters, although these were rarely used.

The Rogue boasted available all-wheel drive, 8.2 inches of ground clearance, and new Snow and Off-Road driving modes, enhancing its capability off the beaten path. A turbocharged engine was speculated for future models, though Sport and Eco drive modes offered interim performance adjustments. Fuel economy for the tested front-wheel-drive Rogue SL came in at 27.5 mpg, slightly under its official EPA rating.

Built on a robust architecture with 35% high-strength steel, the Rogue featured a sophisticated suspension system enhancing ride and handling satisfaction. Technologies like Intelligent Trace Control, Active Ride Control, and the new Vehicle Motion Control contributed to a refined and predictable driving experience. The redesign improved the electric steering assist, providing a quicker ratio and better feel.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax offered good headroom and legroom in both rows. The front seats were supportive, but the rear seats lacked bolstering for long-distance comfort. Upfront, multiple storage trays in each door and low cupholder placement facilitated ease of access and practicality.

In terms of cargo space, the Trax provided 18.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats and up to 48.4 cubic feet with the seats folded flat. Additionally, the front passenger seat could fold flat to accommodate larger items. These figures were average for the subcompact SUV segment, and the Trax did not offer power liftgate options.

Conversely, the 2021 Nissan Rogue excelled in passenger comfort, featuring Nissan's Zero Gravity seat designs. The previous-generation seats felt undersized, but the improved 2021 seats were notably more comfortable. Trim-dependent variations included cloth, leatherette, and premium leather upholstery with multiple levels of power adjustments, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. Ventilated seats, however, were not available.

The Rogue's rear seats provided generous headroom and legroom, with rear doors opening to nearly 90 degrees for easier passenger loading. The back seat was comfortable for both children and adults with standard rear air conditioning vents and a triple-zone climate control system on upper trims. A power rear liftgate was available, and the hands-free design was standard on higher trims. Cargo capacity varied with configuration but offered up to 36.5 cubic feet behind the second row and an impressive 74.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, making it one of the roomiest in its class.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax featured a straightforward yet effective Chevrolet Infotainment 3 system with a 7-inch touchscreen across all trims. This interface, introduced in the 2020 model year, offered intuitive menus and vibrant graphics, supplemented by tactile buttons and dials. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, two USB ports, Bluetooth connectivity, voice control, and a WiFi hotspot.

On the other hand, the 2021 Nissan Rogue came with a more advanced infotainment package. The base S trim offered an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, SiriusXM, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a complimentary six-month subscription to the Nissan Concierge Personal Assistant. The interface included practical knobs for volume and tuning and menu shortcut buttons for convenience.

Upgrading to the SV or 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 with real-time traffic, wireless Apple CarPlay, enhanced voice recognition, 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, offering a sophisticated digital experience.

Standard safety features in the Trax included an array of airbags and a backup camera. The LT Convenience Package enhanced safety with blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-path detection, and rear parking sensors. However, compared to rivals, these features were insufficient. Advanced safety systems like forward-collision avoidance, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane-departure warning were absent.

In contrast, the 2021 Nissan Rogue was equipped with the Nissan Safety Shield 360, which included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, and a blind-spot warning system with rear cross-traffic alert. This comprehensive suite was standard across all trims. Additional safety features comprised ten airbags, a driver monitoring system, and a rear-seat reminder system.

The Rogue SV trim added adaptive cruise control with the improved ProPilot Assist driving aid, which included lane-centering assistance. Higher trims, such as the SL Premium Package and Platinum, boasted an enhanced ProPilot Assist with Navi-link technology, adjusting speed for curves and freeway ramps using navigation data. This improved system provided a smoother and more accurate driving experience, although it occasionally behaved unpredictably.