2021 Jeep Cherokee vs 2022 Nissan Rogue

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee's styling had evolved since its debut, becoming more palatable over time. While the short grille opening and swept-back headlights remained contentious, the overall proportions improved, making it more visually appealing. The exterior's attractiveness varied significantly with the trim level. The entry-level Latitude with 17-inch wheels and FWD looked quite basic, whereas the 80th Anniversary Edition with 19-inch Granite Crystal wheels and painted lower body cladding offered a more refined appearance. Jeep's knack for maximizing roof utility was evident in the Cherokee's optional panoramic sunroof, which covered the entire top surface. The Cherokee's distinct look ensured it stood out in a crowded parking lot, bearing a resemblance to the larger Grand Cherokee from the front.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue, redesigned in 2021, continued to sport a mature and sophisticated look. The exterior featured Nissan’s V-motion grille, multi-level LED headlights, and LED fog lamps on higher trims. Active grille shutters, underbody covers, and an “air curtain” improved airflow, while the floating roof design added a sleek touch. Inside, the Rogue boasted a layered dash with contrasting colors and surfaces, creating a sophisticated and detailed look. The center console, with its electronic gear selector lever, offered ample storage space, including a large cubby below the center armrest. The 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 provided comfort and space, making the Rogue a well-finished and attractive option.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee offered three engine options. The base 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine produced 180 horsepower, while the 3.2-liter V-6 delivered a more robust 271 hp. The top-tier 2.0-liter GMET4 turbocharged four-cylinder engine generated 270 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, slightly outperforming the V-6 in torque. Despite these options, the Cherokee's acceleration was modest, with the V-6 and turbo-four engines achieving 0-60 mph in about 7.2 and 7.4 seconds, respectively. All models featured a nine-speed automatic transmission, which had improved over time. The Cherokee's off-road capabilities were notable, especially in the Trailhawk model, which included features like Jeep Active Drive Lock and Selec-Speed Crawl Control. However, the availability of FWD aimed at keeping prices competitive, particularly for rental fleets.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue received a significant performance boost with its new 1.5-liter VC-Turbo engine, producing 201 horsepower and 225 lb-ft of torque. This engine, part of the Variable Compression Turbo family, adjusted the compression ratio mechanically to optimize power and efficiency. The new engine improved the Rogue's performance and fuel economy, achieving an EPA-estimated 30 mpg city/37 mpg highway/33 mpg combined. The Rogue's CVT transmission, with wider gear ratios, enhanced acceleration and responsiveness. The 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 Jeep Cherokee, positioned between the Renegade and Grand Cherokee, competed with compact crossovers like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. However, it fell short in utility, offering only 26 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 55 cubic feet with them folded, which was less than competitors like the Mazda CX-5 and Ford Escape. The Cherokee provided about 102 cubic feet of passenger volume, making it competitive in that metric. The interior layout was simple and businesslike, with trim levels significantly affecting satisfaction. The Latitude featured basic rubberized black plastic, while the Trailhawk and Latitude Lux offered more upscale materials like suede seat inserts and perforated Nappa leather upholstery.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue excelled in interior space and smart storage solutions. The front cabin featured numerous storage options, including bottle holders, cupholders, a glove compartment, a center console bin, and more. Rear-seat passengers had storage 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 was impressive, offering 31.6-36.5 cubic feet of space with the second row up and 74.1 cubic feet with it folded flat, making it highly practical for various needs.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee featured the Uconnect infotainment system, praised for its user-friendly interface and climate control. Available with 7-inch and 8.4-inch touchscreens, the system supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (wired), a 4G WiFi hotspot, and Amazon Alexa integration. Remote start was also available. The Uconnect system's consistency across Stellantis brands was a significant advantage for Cherokee buyers.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue continued its technology upgrade from 2021, featuring a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, a 9-inch center infotainment touchscreen, and a 10.8-inch head-up display on upper trims. The system supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with wireless Apple CarPlay available on higher 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, enhancing the vehicle's autonomous driving capabilities. Nissan’s Intelligent Key allowed for convenient unlocking of both front and rear doors.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee did not earn a Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS but received top “Good” scores in every crashworthiness category and a G+ score for LATCH child seat anchors. The NHTSA gave it a four-star overall safety rating. Standard safety features included lane departure warning, full-speed forward collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and blind spot monitoring. Adaptive cruise control with stop and go was available on higher trims.

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 offered advanced driver-assist capabilities, and the enhanced ProPilot Assist with Navi-Link added predictive speed control. 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.