2022 Nissan Rogue vs 2021 Chevrolet Trax

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax, based on the model introduced in 2015, carried over the design updates from 2017, which included standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. In 2020, the infotainment system was updated, and by 2021, the Premier trim was dropped, leaving only the LS and LT trims. The LS trim featured 16-inch painted aluminum wheels, remote keyless entry, cloth upholstery, manually adjustable front seats, dual front USB ports, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The LT trim added heated, power-adjustable side mirrors, rear window tint, roof rails, LED head- and taillights, remote start, cruise control, chrome belt-line moldings, and silver-painted skid plates. It also included upgraded cloth and leatherette seats, a cargo security cover, and a 120-volt AC power outlet.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue, redesigned in 2021, continued with its mature styling and shared several exterior design features with other Nissan vehicles, such as the V-motion grille and multi-level LED headlights. The SL and Platinum trims included LED fog lamps. The Rogue's cabin featured a layered dash with distinct horizontal layers, an electronic gear selector lever, and a spacious center console. The 9-inch center infotainment display and the instrument panel's 7-inch or 12.3-inch digital screen were highlights. The Rogue's Zero Gravity bucket-style front seats and roomy second row provided comfort, while the fit and finish, especially in the Platinum model, were exemplary.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax was powered by a turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine producing 138 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. It offered front-wheel drive (FWD) or available all-wheel drive (AWD). While the engine sufficed for city driving, it struggled at highway speeds and made considerable noise. The Trax had a firm ride, which could be harsh over potholes, but its tight turning radius provided good maneuverability in tight spaces. Rivals like the Hyundai Kona and Mazda CX-30 offered more comfortable rides and were more fun to drive. Chevrolet planned to introduce a retuned engine for the 2022 Trax, making 155 horsepower while maintaining 177 pound-feet of torque.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue benefited from chassis improvements made in 2021 and a new 1.5-liter VC-Turbo engine producing 201 horsepower and 225 lb-ft of torque. This engine featured Variable Compression technology, adjusting the combustion chamber size for optimal power and efficiency. The Rogue's new engine improved fuel economy, achieving an EPA-estimated 30 mpg city/37 mpg highway/33 mpg combined. The new CVT transmission offered wider gear ratios, enhancing acceleration and responsiveness. The Rogue's chassis and suspension provided a smooth, controlled ride with minimal body roll, and the electric power-assisted steering had good feel and a tight 35.4-foot turning diameter.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax offered respectable headroom and legroom in both rows, with supportive front seats but less comfortable rear seats. The front featured multiple storage trays, and the low cupholder placement accommodated large water bottles. The Trax provided 18.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 48.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The front passenger seat also folded flat for larger items. However, there was no option for a power liftgate or hands-free power liftgate.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue excelled in interior space and storage options. The front cabin had numerous storage areas, including bottle holders, cupholders, a glove compartment, a center console bin, a tray beneath the center console, 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 second-row seat was a 60/40 split reclining bench. The Rogue's cargo area offered 31.6-36.5 cubic feet of space, expanding to 74.1 cubic feet with the second row folded flat.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax featured a 7-inch touchscreen running the Chevrolet Infotainment 3 system, with easy-to-follow menus and vivid graphics. It came standard with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, two USB ports, Bluetooth connectivity, voice control, and an available WiFi hotspot.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue's technology upgrade from 2021 carried over, with significant screen upgrades on upper trims: a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, a 9-inch center infotainment touchscreen, and a 10.8-inch head-up display. Navigation used Google Maps and Waze with voice commands. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with wireless Apple CarPlay available on upper 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, allowing for predictive speed control based on road conditions.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax received a five-star crash test rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) but did not earn a Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Standard safety features included an array of airbags and a backup camera. The LT Convenience Package added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-path detection, and rear parking sensors, but the Trax lacked many standard driver safety features found in rivals.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue featured the Nissan Safety Shield 360 suite of safety technologies across all trims, 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 had ten supplemental airbags and extended crumple zones for passive safety, along with Nissan's Intelligent Driver Alertness technology and rear door alert. ProPilot Assist, available on upper trims, combined steering-assist and adaptive cruise control for advanced driver assistance. The 2022 Rogue received a four-star overall safety rating from NHTSA, and the 2021 model earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from IIHS.