2021 Ford Bronco vs 2022 Nissan Rogue

The 2021 Ford Bronco re-emerged on the market after a long hiatus, reigniting passions that had been simmering since Ford teased the Bronco Concept vehicle back in 2004. Anticipation heightened with the release of the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport, a compact crossover built on the Ford Escape platform but enhanced with adventure-friendly features and standard all-wheel drive. Drawing heavy inspiration from its 1966 predecessor, the new Bronco embraced a "Retrofuturism" design approach—updating classic looks with modern technology, materials, and powertrains. This method succeeded remarkably with models like the Ford Mustang and Dodge Challenger, and it resonated with Bronco fans as well.

The Bronco’s exterior design boasted a one-piece grille with prominent B-R-O-N-C-O lettering flanked by round headlights. Marrying modern elements with classic touches, the vehicle featured a mildly bulging hood with off-road corner sights, relatively flat body sides adorned with fender flares, and robust tire options including standard 32-inch and available 35-inch tires with the Sasquatch package. The vehicle's rear offered an old-school swing-away rack for the full-size spare tire, paired with a side-hinged half tailgate and a flip-up back glass. Both two-door and four-door configurations were available, with the two-door version having a 100.4-inch wheelbase and the four-door version extending to 116.1 inches.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue shared design elements with newer Nissan models like the Pathfinder. Sporting a V-motion grille and multi-level LED headlights with upper-tier trims featuring LED fog lamps, the Rogue’s aerodynamic efficiency was enhanced with features like active grille shutters and underbody covers. The floating roof design, paired with subtly bulging liftgate, lent the vehicle a sophisticated, grown-up look compared to its previous generations. Inside, the Rogue adopted a layered dash design with contrasting colors and textures in higher trims, making for a refined interior aesthetic.

The 2021 Ford Bronco offered a compelling choice of powertrains. The base engine was a turbocharged 2.3-liter inline-four-cylinder producing 270 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, available with a seven-speed manual transmission. An optional twin-turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 engine yielded a robust 310 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque, mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission. All models featured standard four-wheel drive. On-road, the Bronco offered a rugged, off-road-ready feel, especially with the 35-inch tires from the Sasquatch package, which provided ample traction but resulted in a noisier, somewhat wiggly ride. Off-road, the Bronco excelled even in adverse conditions, showcasing impressive balance, traction, and the ability to handle a variety of terrains with aplomb.

By contrast, the 2022 Nissan Rogue introduced a new 1.5-liter VC-Turbo engine that generated 201 horsepower and 225 lb-ft of torque. This engine was a marked improvement over the previous 2.5-liter inline-four, offering an 11 percent increase in horsepower and a 24 percent increase in torque. The Rogue’s new CVT transmission featured wider gear ratios, enhancing its responsiveness and overall performance. Additionally, the Rogue boasted an estimated 30 mpg city/37 mpg highway/33 mpg combined fuel efficiency, making it an economical choice for daily driving. Its agile chassis and suspension delivered a smooth ride with minimal body roll, and its electric power-assisted steering offered good feedback with a tight 35.4-foot turning diameter.

Ford's designers and engineers thoughtfully incorporated marketplace insights and owner feedback to make the Bronco highly practical and customizable. Its modular design allowed for removable doors, fenders, and bumpers, facilitating easy repairs and upgrades. Exclusive door storage bags, labeled for each specific door and equipped with QR codes for instructional videos, exemplified the well-thought-out design. With clever features like trail sights for tying down cargo, the Bronco was built for adventure. Interior practicality shone with strategically placed control switches and rugged, integrated auxiliary controls.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue impressed with its thoughtful storage solutions throughout its cabin, catering to both family and commuter needs. Its front cabin provided ample storage, including bottle holders, multiple cubbies, and USB outlets. Rear-seat passengers benefited from additional storage options and charging ports. While the Rogue’s second-row seats offered comfortable passenger space, its cargo area was particularly commendable—offering 31.6 to 36.5 cubic feet of space with seats up and an expansive 74.1 cubic feet with seats down.

The 2021 Ford Bronco featured the latest SYNC 4 infotainment system with enhanced voice recognition. A standard 8-inch touchscreen could be upgraded to a 12-inch screen, paired with an optional 10-speaker B&O sound system and wireless charging pad under the Lux Package. The G.O.A.T. system provided intuitive off-road terrain control modes, enhancing the Bronco’s adaptability to various driving conditions.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue carried over the technological advancements from its 2021 overhaul. Upper trim levels included a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, a 9-inch center touchscreen, and a 10.8-inch head-up display. The Rogue supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with wireless Apple CarPlay available on higher trims. Advanced driver-assist features, including ProPilot Assist with Navi-Link, were available to enhance driving safety and convenience.

The 2021 Ford Bronco offered tiered safety features across its trims. The base model included fundamental safety features, while higher trims like Big Bend and Black Diamond offered the Mid Package with additional options like Ford Co-Pilot 360 and pre-collision assist. The High Package added a 360-degree camera and forward-sensing system among other enhancements. Notably, the Bronco’s side curtain airbags were designed to be intelligent enough to deploy appropriately even in off-road situations.

The 2022 Rogue featured Nissan’s Safety Shield 360 as standard, encompassing technologies like automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The vehicle also boasted ten supplemental airbags and advanced safety features like Nissan’s Intelligent Driver Alertness. ProPilot Assist provided advanced Level 2 driver assistance, capable of navigating through traffic and maintaining control on highways.