2021 Ford Explorer vs 2022 Nissan Rogue

The 2021 Ford Explorer had a distinctive look that aligned with Ford's "small, medium, large, XL" approach to SUV production. It shared a family resemblance with other Ford SUVs, featuring sporty, raked belt lines and squinting visages. Depending on the trim, the Explorer's exterior varied from a black grille to a full chrome grille, with six trim levels ranging from the base model to the luxurious Platinum. Inside, the Explorer offered three rows of seating as standard, with cloth upholstery on the base model and leather available on higher trims. The dash was clean, featuring an 8-inch LCD touchscreen and a center console with a rotary gearshift, providing ample storage space.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue, redesigned in 2021, continued to impress with its mature and sophisticated exterior. It featured Nissan’s V-motion grille, multi-level LED headlights, and a floating roof design. The interior followed a layered dash design with contrasting colors and surfaces, depending on the trim. The center console was notable for its electronic gear selector lever, freeing up space for storage beneath. The Rogue's 9-inch infotainment display was positioned near the driver’s eye line, and the instrument panel varied from a 7-inch display on lower trims to a 12.3-inch digital screen on upper trims. The Zero Gravity front seats and roomy second row added to the comfort and appeal.

The 2021 Ford Explorer, weighing 4,345 pounds at its lightest, featured a base 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. The Limited Hybrid trim offered a V6 hybrid drivetrain with 310 hp and 331 lb-ft of torque. Higher trims came with a 3.0-liter EcoBoost twin-turbo V6, delivering 365 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque, while the sport-oriented ST trim boasted 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. The Explorer excelled in towing capacity, ranging from 5,000 to 5,600 pounds, depending on the trim and engine.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue received a performance boost from its new 1.5-liter VC-Turbo engine, producing 201 horsepower and 225 lb-ft of torque. This engine featured Variable Compression technology, adjusting the compression ratio for optimal power and efficiency. The Rogue's fuel economy was impressive, with EPA estimates of 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 offered good feel and a tight turning diameter of 35.4 feet.

The 2021 Ford Explorer offered seating for seven in the base model, with captain’s chairs in the second row reducing capacity to six in other trims. It provided 39 inches of legroom for second-row passengers and 21 cubic feet of cargo space with the third row deployed. With the rear seats folded, the Explorer offered 81 cubic feet of cargo room, which was competitive with smaller SUVs.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue excelled in interior storage options, with bottle holders, cupholders, a glove compartment, a center console bin, and more. Rear-seat passengers had storage options and USB-A and USB-C charge-only ports. The Rogue's cargo area offered 31.6-36.5 cubic feet of space, depending on configuration, and 74.1 cubic feet with the second row folded flat.

The 2021 Ford Explorer came with an 8-inch touchscreen as standard, offering AM/FM radio, SiriusXM, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a 4G WiFi hotspot, and Ford’s Sync 3 infotainment system. Higher trims featured a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system, a 10.1-inch touchscreen, and up to 14 speakers. Charging options included two USB ports and five 12-volt power points, with a 110-volt AC power outlet available on higher trims.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue's technology upgrade included a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, a 9-inch center infotainment touchscreen, and a 10.8-inch head-up display on upper trims. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with wireless Apple CarPlay available on higher trims. ProPilot Assist, Nissan’s hands-on driver-assist technology, was available, integrating with the navigation system for predictive speed control.

The 2021 Ford Explorer was rated as a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS, with top scores in all crash tests and an "Acceptable" rating for adaptive headlights. The Ford Co-Pilot360 suite of safety features was standard, including auto high-beam headlights, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane keeping assist, forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, and dynamic brake support. Higher trims offered additional features like adaptive cruise control and evasive steering assist.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue featured the Nissan Safety Shield 360 suite across all trims, including automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, high beam assist, and rear automatic braking. ProPilot Assist was available, offering advanced driver-assist features. The Rogue received a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS for the 2021 model.