2021 Nissan Rogue vs 2021 GMC Yukon

The 2021 GMC Yukon was a full-size SUV that balanced ruggedness with refinement, positioning itself between Chevrolet and Cadillac in the General Motors lineup. Available in various trims, including the new AT4 designed for off-road adventures and the upscale Denali, the Yukon offered a blend of luxury and utility. The Denali trim, in particular, stood out with its exclusive dashboard design, real wood trim, leather-wrapped panels, and unique interior stitching, making it more sophisticated than its Chevrolet Tahoe counterpart. However, the high price tag, especially with the Denali Ultimate option package, raised questions about the value proposition.

In contrast, the 2021 Nissan Rogue sported a handsome new design with a more technical appearance, featuring dark gray plastic cladding, bold simulated skid plates, and clean LED lighting elements. The Rogue was available in four trims, with the Platinum trim offering semi-aniline quilted leather and other upscale amenities. The interior was light and bright, thanks to the panoramic glass sunroof and abundant soft-touch surfaces. The Rogue's controls were arranged logically, and the Platinum trim added luxurious touches like quilted leather and ambient lighting. Despite some dated elements like the climate control panel, the Rogue's interior was comfortable and modern.

The 2021 GMC Yukon offered three engine options. Most trims came with a 355-horsepower 5.3-liter V8, while the Denali featured a 420-horsepower 6.2-liter V8. A 3.0-liter turbo-diesel inline six-cylinder was also available, except for the AT4 trim. The Denali's 6.2-liter V8 provided robust acceleration and a satisfying V8 burble but was not fuel-efficient, averaging 14.4 mpg on a mixed driving loop. The Yukon also featured an independent rear suspension and an available Four-Corner Air Ride suspension, improving ride quality and handling. However, the 22-inch wheels and 275/50 tires made the ride less smooth. The Yukon could tow up to 8,400 pounds with 2WD and 8,300 pounds with 4WD, though these numbers were lower than the previous generation.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue, on the other hand, was powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 181 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque. While adequate for daily driving, the engine felt underpowered for more adventurous outings. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) did a good job of leveraging available torque, and the Rogue offered up to 8.2 inches of ground clearance with AWD. The Rogue's fuel economy was decent, averaging 27.5 mpg on a mixed driving loop. The new architecture, composed of 35% high-strength steel, and features like Intelligent Trace Control and Active Ride Control, made the Rogue's ride and handling smooth and predictable. The new steering system also improved the driving experience significantly.

The 2021 GMC Yukon benefited from a new independent rear suspension, significantly improving passenger and cargo space. The front seats were heated and ventilated, but they felt hard during long drives. The second-row seats slid and collapsed to fold flat, and the third-row seat provided actual thigh support, making it comfortable for adults. Cargo volume was impressive, with 25.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 72.6 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 122.9 cubic feet. The Denali XL offered even more space.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue featured Nissan's Zero Gravity seat designs, which were comfortable and available in various materials depending on the trim. The Rogue offered generous rear-seat headroom and legroom, and the rear doors opened to nearly 90 degrees for easy access. The Rogue could accommodate up to three child safety seats, and a rear-seat reminder system was standard. The interior was quieter than before, thanks to aerodynamic improvements and acoustic front glass. Cargo space was also generous, with 31.6 cubic feet in the S and SV trims and up to 36.5 cubic feet in the SL and Platinum trims. The maximum cargo volume was 74.1 cubic feet.

The 2021 GMC Yukon Denali with the Ultimate Package offered a comprehensive infotainment system with a 10.2-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, Amazon Alexa integration, and a 14-speaker Bose Performance Series audio system. The Rear Seat Media system featured dual 12.6-inch touchscreen displays, though it did not play DVDs. The Yukon also had a 15-inch color head-up display, a rear camera mirror, and multiple surround-view camera vantage points. However, the Bose audio system was not up to par for an SUV at this price point.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue offered a competitive infotainment package with an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Higher trims added NissanConnect Services, a WiFi hotspot, Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant integration, and a Bose premium audio system. The SL Premium Package and Platinum trim featured a larger 9-inch touchscreen, door-to-door navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay, and wireless smartphone charging. The Platinum trim also included a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10.8-inch head-up display.

The 2021 GMC Yukon came equipped with numerous advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS), including forward collision warning, daytime pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, and automatic high-beam headlights. Higher trims added blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance. The Denali trim included adaptive cruise control and enhanced automatic emergency braking. The ADAS operated smoothly and subtly, making it more likely for drivers to keep the systems engaged.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue also featured a comprehensive collection of ADAS under the Nissan Safety Shield 360 umbrella, including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic alert. The Rogue had ten airbags, a driver monitoring system, and a rear-seat reminder system. Higher trims included ProPilot Assist with adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assistance. The SL Premium Package and Platinum trim offered an upgraded ProPilot Assist with Navi-link technology, which used navigation data to adjust speed for curves and freeway junctions.