2021 Nissan Rogue vs 2021 Kia Seltos

The 2021 Kia Seltos, despite being a subcompact SUV, exuded a big-car feel thanks to its upright layout and commanding road view. Its design was modern, with a busy but well-integrated headlight and grille arrangement. The lower front bumper with an aggressive approach angle hinted at rugged capabilities, even if it wasn’t designed for off-roading. Our test model included a trendy two-tone roof and red accents around the wheel centers, giving it a sporty edge.

Inside, the Seltos featured a straightforward, intuitive layout typical of modern Kias. Clean lines and well-integrated tech made the interior feel upscale, similar to an Audi. The climate control’s LCD screen offered visual harmony with the dash-top touchscreen. A distinctive handle on the right side of the tray under the center stack added a utilitarian, sporty vibe.

Trim levels ranged from the LX to the top-of-the-line SX Turbo. The LX included 17-inch alloy wheels, manual seats, and an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. The S added LED lights, roof rails, and mixed upholstery. The EX moved up to machine-finish wheels, a sunroof, leatherette seats, and more tech features. Turbo models boasted a more powerful engine and additional driver aids, with the SX Turbo offering premium features like a Bose sound system and a 10.25-inch touchscreen.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue resembled a robust SUV, with dark gray plastic cladding, bold skid plates, and lower door protection. Its technical appearance featured clean LED lighting, a prominent V-Motion grille, and sharp proportions. Optional two-tone paint with a black roof added a custom look.

The Rogue came in four trims: S, SV, SL, and the new Platinum. Prices ranged from $25,650 to $35,430, excluding a $1,095 destination charge. Our test vehicle, a Rogue SL, included a Premium Package and additional options, bringing its total to $35,195.

The interior was bright and roomy, thanks to an Almond leather interior and panoramic sunroof. Soft-touch surfaces, simulated wood trim, and fabric-wrapped pillars added to the sense of quality. The controls were logically arranged. Platinum trim featured semi-aniline quilted leather, contrast stitching, and ambient lighting for a luxurious feel. Despite some retro elements like 1980s-style climate control numbers and a CD player, the Rogue’s tech remained modern with wireless Apple CarPlay.

The Seltos LX, S, and EX housed a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 146 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, coupled with a CVT. AWD was standard on LX and EX trims and optional on the S trim. The base engine was suitable for city driving but lacked power at higher speeds, making the turbocharged engine a better choice.

The S Turbo and SX Turbo sported a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine delivering 175 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic and standard AWD. This setup offered brisk acceleration and a sporty feel, especially in Sport Mode, which enhanced throttle response and steering.

Despite its 7.3-inch ground clearance, the Seltos handled turns with minimal body roll and provided a smooth ride over bumps, combining traits commonly found in luxury SUVs.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue, despite weighing nearly 3,500 pounds, only offered one engine: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder producing 181 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque. The CVT did a good job managing the available torque and mimicking the feel of a traditional automatic, but the engine power felt lacking, particularly at higher speeds.

The Rogue's new architecture enhanced robustness, while the all-new Vehicle Motion Control, strut front suspension, and multi-link rear suspension improved ride and handling. Intelligent Trace Control, Active Ride Control, and a fast-ratio steering system resulted in a smooth and predictable drive.

The SUV’s ride was optimized with features like Brake-induced Intelligent Trace Control and Active Ride Control systems, making it more predictable and athletic. Its new steering setup provided significantly better feedback than before.

The Seltos impressed with its cargo space, offering 26.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 62.8 cubic feet with seats folded, surpassing many subcompact and some compact SUVs. The SX Turbo included a cargo cover that doubled as a small-item tray.

Interior storage was abundant, with ample cubbies and compartments in both rows. Front passengers had large door pockets, a spacious center console, and a tray. Rear-seat space was impressive, offering ample head- and legroom, making it comfortable for adults.

Nissan’s Zero Gravity seats in the new Rogue provided notable comfort across trims. Front seating options ranged from cloth in the S to premium leather in the Platinum. Heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and heated rear seats were available from the SV trim upwards.

The Rogue’s rear seats offered better head- and legroom than its predecessor, and rear doors opened to nearly 90 degrees for easier access. The rear bench could accommodate three car seats, with a rear-seat reminder system to prevent leaving children behind.

The Rogue's 31.6 cubic feet of cargo space in S and SV trims expanded to 36.5 cubic feet in SL and Platinum trims with the Divide-N-Hide cargo system. With the rear seats down, it offered up to 74.1 cubic feet, making it among the largest in the class.

The base S trim of the Seltos came with a 3.5-inch TFT screen and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Higher trims like the SX Turbo featured a 7-inch digital instrument panel and a 10.25-inch touchscreen split between CarPlay/Android Auto and auxiliary functions. A premium Bose sound system was available in the SX Turbo.

A common frustration was the default audio switch to the phone when connected via USB. The two USB ports included one for data and one for charging, with only the charging port backlit, which could be confusing in the dark.

Despite minor quirks, the Seltos’ infotainment was intuitive, supported by physical buttons aiding easy, minimal-distraction navigation.

The Rogue S featured an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, SiriusXM, and CarPlay/Android Auto, with a Nissan Concierge subscription for added support. Knobs for volume and tuning aided usability, though their low profile and the display's glossy finish posed ergonomic challenges.

Moving up to the SV or SL added NissanConnect services, a WiFi hotspot, and voice assistant integrations. SL Premium and Platinum models sported a 9-inch touchscreen, wireless CarPlay, improved voice recognition, and a Bose audio system.

Top trims also featured wireless charging, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and a 10.8-inch head-up display for a comprehensive tech experience.

Standard safety features on the Seltos included front and side airbags, stability control, tire pressure monitoring, and child-seat anchors. Except for the base LX, all trims boasted driver-assistance features like forward-collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams.

The EX added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, while the SX included adaptive cruise control and cyclist detection. Unique features like the alert for moving vehicles ahead enhanced practical usability.

Safety was a major focus for the Rogue, equipped with Nissan Safety Shield 360 across all trims, featuring automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and a blind-spot warning system with rear cross-traffic alert.

Additional airbags, driver monitoring, a rear-seat reminder, and rear pre-tensioning seatbelts improved overall safety. SV and above trims included ProPilot Assist with lane-centering and adaptive cruise control, enhanced in higher trims with Navi-link for predictive speed adjustments based on navigation data.

New structural enhancements aimed to deflect crash energy, auguring well for crash safety, though testing results were pending at the time of review.