2021 Jeep Wrangler vs 2022 Nissan Rogue

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler maintained its iconic status with its timeless design elements. Enthusiasts could easily identify the notched grille, inset headlights, and scalloped air extractors behind the front fenders. The Wrangler's distinctive circular headlights, seven-slat grille, exposed bolts and hinges, and protruding bumpers and fenders gave it a toy truck-like appearance that appealed to many. Depending on the trim level, the Wrangler could sport different looks, such as painted or exposed fenders and various top options, but it always retained its unmistakable identity.

Inside, the Wrangler was not built for comfort but for rugged charm. Drivers sat upright with limited legroom, and seat adjustments were made using somewhat awkward ripcords. The trims ranged from the bare-bones Sport with manual features to the more luxurious High Altitude with leather seats and a larger touchscreen. The Rubicon trim catered to off-road enthusiasts with beefed-up suspension and running gear, while the Rubicon 392 added a powerful Hemi V8 engine and unique visual distinctions.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue, redesigned in 2021, continued to impress with its mature and sophisticated styling. It featured Nissan’s V-motion grille, multi-level LED headlights, and active grille shutters for improved airflow. The floating roof design and slightly bulging liftgate added to its sleek appearance. Inside, the Rogue boasted a layered dash with contrasting colors and surfaces, a highlight being the electronic gear selector lever that freed up space in the center console.

The Rogue's cabin was designed with practicality in mind, offering numerous storage options and comfortable Zero Gravity bucket-style front seats. The second row provided ample legroom and could accommodate two adults comfortably. The fit and finish were exemplary, especially in the top-of-the-line Platinum model, which featured high-quality materials and a sophisticated look.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler offered a diverse powertrain lineup, including gas, diesel, mild-hybrid, and the powerful Hemi V8. The standard 3.6-liter V6 engine produced 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, available with either a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmission. Other options included a 270-hp turbocharged four-cylinder engine and a 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 with 260 hp and 442 lb-ft of torque. The Wrangler also introduced a plug-in hybrid variant, the 4xe, with 275 hp and up to 22 miles of electric range.

The Rubicon 392 stood out with its 6.4-liter V8 engine, delivering 470 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque, transforming the Wrangler into an off-road supercar. It featured beefed-up frame-rails, a 2-inch lift with Fox shock absorbers, and upgraded brakes. The dual-mode performance exhaust emitted an incredible rumble, adding to the vehicle's appeal.

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 was an 11 percent increase in horsepower and a 24 percent increase in torque compared to the previous 2.5-liter engine. The new engine also offered impressive fuel economy, with EPA estimates of 30 mpg city/37 mpg highway/33 mpg combined.

The Rogue's new CVT transmission featured wider gear ratios, enhancing 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 Wrangler offered various top options, including the zipper-less Sunrider soft-top, premium black cloth soft top, and classic tan soft top. The Freedom top was a three-piece hardtop with removable panels, available in black or body color. The Sky one-touch power top on the Rubicon 392 provided a convenient way to enjoy the open-air experience.

The Wrangler's cabin was functional, with a small center console bin, glovebox, and in-door cargo nets. It featured drain plugs for easy cleaning. The Wrangler Unlimited provided 31.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and up to 72.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue excelled in interior space and storage options. The front cabin offered numerous places to stash items, including bottle holders, cupholders, a glove compartment, a center console bin, a tray beneath the center console, and cubbies in the dash. Rear-seat passengers had storage options in the doors, seatbacks, and center armrest, along with USB-A and USB-C charge-only ports.

The Rogue's cargo area was generous, with 31.6-36.5 cubic feet of space depending on configuration. Folding the second row flat provided up to 74.1 cubic feet of cargo space, making it ideal for carrying larger items.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler's Sport trim came with a basic 5-inch screen, while higher trims offered a 7-inch or 8.4-inch Uconnect screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The larger screens featured crisp graphics and intuitive layouts. The Rubicon 392 included a color TFT screen in the instrument panel and a clever off-road camera nestled between the front grille slats.

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, integrated with the navigation system, offered advanced driver-assist features, including predictive speed control.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler offered optional modern driver-assistance features, including forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, parking sensors, and blind-spot monitoring. However, lane-departure warning was not available. The Wrangler included a backup camera with dynamic guidelines and a live tire-pressure monitoring system.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue featured the Nissan Safety Shield 360 suite of safety technologies across all trim levels. Standard features included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, high beam assist, and rear automatic braking. ProPilot Assist provided advanced driver-assist capabilities, and the Rogue received a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.