2021 Nissan Rogue vs 2021 Ford Explorer

Ford had taken a familiar approach to its SUV lineup with the 2021 Ford Explorer, creating a cohesive family resemblance with models like the Escape, Edge, Explorer, and Expedition, all starting with "E." This was reminiscent of the 1950s strategy when automakers aimed for brand loyalty across different vehicle sizes and price points. The Explorer's exterior was sporty and sleek, with raked belt lines and assertive front-end styling. However, at a quick glance, it was sometimes hard to distinguish it from the Edge.

The Explorer came in six distinct trims: the base trim, XLT, Limited, Limited Hybrid, ST, and Platinum, with prices ranging from $32,925 to $52,730. Each trim offered different grille designs ranging from black, chrome-accented, or black with a red stripe, depending on the sportiness and luxury intended for the trim. Inside, the Explorer invariably came with three rows of seats, accommodating either six or seven passengers depending on whether second-row captain’s chairs or a bench seat were chosen. The base model featured cloth upholstery, and although even the entry-level seats were reasonably comfortable, the third row was not adult-friendly for long journeys.

The dashboard design was clean and functional, featuring an 8-inch LCD touchscreen as standard, ample physical buttons, and a rotary gearshift that saved space for additional storage. The XLT trim, being the most popular, offered upgrades like a power front passenger seat, improved finishes, and a 6.5-inch instrument panel screen, while higher trims like the Limited and above came with leather upholstery and higher-quality interior materials.

In contrast, the 2021 Nissan Rogue received a design overhaul, presenting a bold, rugged aesthetic that distanced itself from car-like looks. It featured dark gray cladding along its lower perimeter and assertively styled simulated skid plates and lower door protection. Clean LED lighting, a prominent V-Motion grille, and proper proportions gave it a contemporary look. Optional two-tone paint elevated its appeal further.

The Rogue was offered in four trims: S ($25,650), SV ($27,340), SL ($32,000), and the new Platinum ($35,430), with an additional $1,095 for destination charges. All-wheel drive was optional for $1,400, and there were premium option packages for the SV and SL trims. The interior of the Rogue SL test vehicle featured a bright Almond color leather, a panoramic sunroof, and plenty of soft-touch surfaces, adding to the perception of quality. Higher trims, especially the Platinum, offered semi-aniline quilted leather, contrast stitching, and ambient lighting for a luxurious feel.

The driving controls were logically arranged, and despite a throwback-style climate control display, the Rogue incorporated modern tech like wireless Apple CarPlay. The overall interior design and material quality improved vastly over the previous generation, with the Platinum trim standing out for its upscale attributes.

The 2021 Ford Explorer, even at its lightest, weighed 4,345 pounds. Its base engine was a 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder, producing a robust 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque—impressive compared to competitors like the Kia Telluride's V6. Each Explorer came with a 10-speed automatic transmission, ensuring smooth and efficient gear shifts.

The Explorer's Limited Hybrid upped the game with a V6 hybrid powertrain delivering 310 hp and 331 lb-ft of torque. For higher trims, a 3.0-liter EcoBoost twin-turbo V6 was standard, offering 365 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque, with the sport-oriented ST trim boasting an even more thrilling 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. Despite this, the Explorer was more focused on towing power than sheer performance, with a towing capacity ranging from 5,000 to 5,600 pounds, depending on the engine and trim configuration.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue, weighing nearly 3,500 pounds, was powered by a single engine option: a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder producing 181 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque. While this was sufficient for daily driving, it lacked the robust performance needed for more demanding conditions. The Rogue's continuously variable transmission (CVT) was well-executed, mimicking a traditional automatic and featuring paddle shifters for added control.

Despite its modest power, the Rogue offered all-wheel drive, 8.2 inches of ground clearance, and driving modes for Snow and Off-Road conditions, making it suitable for light adventuring. Nissan hinted at the possibility of future turbocharged versions but did not commit to an immediate release. Meanwhile, driving modes like Sport and Eco attempted to enhance driving dynamics and fuel efficiency, respectively. In practical driving scenarios, the front-wheel-drive Rogue SL managed 27.5 mpg, slightly below its EPA rating.

The Rogue's new architecture, consisting of 35% high-strength steel, resulted in improved ride and handling characteristics, enhanced by a strut front and multi-link rear suspension. Features like Brake-induced Intelligent Trace Control and Active Ride Control contributed to a smooth and predictable driving experience. Its new steering system, moving from the column to the rack and featuring a quicker ratio, offered markedly better feedback than the previous model.

The 2021 Ford Explorer's seating configuration varied by trim. The base model seated seven with a second-row bench, while higher trims had second-row captain’s chairs, reducing capacity to six. Second-row passengers enjoyed a generous 39 inches of legroom, slightly ahead of some competitors but trailing others like the Kia Telluride. With all seats used, the Explorer provided 21 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 81 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, which is competitive but not class-leading.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue aimed to enhance comfort with its Zero Gravity seat design, now improved over the previous generation. Cloth upholstery and manual adjustments were available in the base S trim, while higher trims like the SV offered eight-way power adjustments and leatherette upholstery. The SL trim featured leather seats, and the Platinum trim boasted quilted premium leather. Heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and heated rear seats were available in upper trims, though ventilated seats were not offered.

Rear-seat passengers in the Rogue benefited from ample headroom and legroom, and doors that opened nearly 90 degrees for easy access. Child safety seats could be fitted across the rear bench thanks to newly positioned LATCH anchors. The Rogue also featured multiple storage solutions, including a roomy tray under the center console and ample door pockets.

The Rogue's cargo capacity ranged from 31.6 cubic feet in S and SV trims to 36.5 cubic feet in SL and Platinum trims, thanks to the Divide-N-Hide cargo management system. Total cargo capacity with the rear seats folded was 74.1 cubic feet, making it one of the more spacious options in the compact SUV segment. This was slightly less than the outgoing model but still generous.

The 2021 Ford Explorer came well-equipped even at the base trim, featuring an 8-inch touchscreen with AM/FM radio, SiriusXM, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a 4G WiFi hotspot, Ford’s Sync 3 infotainment system, and a six-speaker audio system. The Limited trim upgraded to a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen system and HD radio. Higher trims offered a 10.1-inch touchscreen and up to 14 speakers.

The Explorer also provided multiple charging options, including two USB ports and five 12-volt power points throughout the cabin, with higher trims offering a 110-volt AC outlet.

Nissan's 2021 Rogue featured a competitive infotainment system. The base S trim included an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, SiriusXM, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, along with a six-month trial to Nissan Concierge Personal Assistant. Higher trims added features like NissanConnect Services, a WiFi hotspot, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant integration.

The SL Premium Package and Platinum trims offered a larger 9-inch touchscreen, navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay, and a Bose premium audio system. The Platinum trim further included advanced features like wireless smartphone charging, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and a 10.8-inch head-up display.