2021 Kia Sorento vs 2022 Nissan Rogue

The 2021 Kia Sorento marked a significant departure from its predecessor. Shedding its bubbly design, the new Sorento adopted a more athletic and muscular silhouette that captured attention. The SX Prestige trim with the X-Line package, adorned with roof rails, a shark fin antenna, and a rear roof spoiler, enhanced its visual appeal. The front showcased a wider and more prominent tiger-nose grille, coupled with striking squinting headlights accentuated by dynamic running lights. The Sorento’s side profile featured a silver accent between the front fender and the door, aligning with contemporary SUV styling trends. Despite a visually engaging design, the large D-pillar hinted at potential blind spot issues, though it was a stylistic compromise. The taillights, two vertical rectangles on each side, exuded a cohesive modern look that seemed less prone to aging compared to competitors like the 2022 Tucson. The interior was packed with high-value features, boasting heated outside mirrors, second-row air vents, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, and keyless entry across all trims. The 2022 Nissan Rogue, carrying forward the redesign from the previous year, adopted a more mature look to complement its practical utility. The exterior design integrated Nissan’s V-motion grille flanked by multi-level LED headlights with accompanying daytime running lights. Higher trims, such as SL and Platinum, added LED fog lamps. Active grille shutters, underbody covers, and air curtains enhanced the aerodynamic profile. The floating roof illusion, created by dark supporting pillars, added a sleek touch, while a subtly bulging liftgate rounded off the rear. Inside, the Rogue’s layered dash with horizontal segments offered a sophisticated appearance with contrasting surfaces in various trims. The center console stood out with its electronic gear selector lever, providing additional storage space beneath. The 9-inch center infotainment display was positioned for optimal driver visibility, paired with a customizable instrument panel.

The 2021 Kia Sorento was offered with several powertrain options. The base engine, a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder, produced 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque, mated to a traditional eight-speed automatic transmission. However, the tested model featured the turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, generating a robust 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. This engine, coupled with an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) and all-wheel drive, provided impressive acceleration and responsiveness. Additionally, the Sorento offered a hybrid variant powered by a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine and an electric motor. The hybrid setup, available only with front-wheel drive, promised better fuel efficiency. The AWD system on the tested Sorento included torque vectoring and a center-locking differential for enhanced traction. An elevated ride height and 20-inch alloy wheels, courtesy of the X-Line package, contributed to its off-road capability. In contrast, the 2022 Nissan Rogue introduced a new 1.5-liter VC-Turbo engine with variable compression technology, delivering 201 horsepower and 225 lb-ft of torque. This innovative engine adjusted its compression ratio to optimize power and fuel efficiency depending on driving conditions. The EPA rated the new Rogue at 30 mpg city, 37 mpg highway, and 33 mpg combined, an improvement over the previous model. The Rogue’s transmission remained a continuously variable transmission (CVT) but was re-engineered for broader gear ratios, enhancing acceleration and responsiveness without the notorious CVT drone. The redesigned chassis and suspension ensured a smooth, controlled ride with minimal body roll, while the electric power-assisted steering facilitated precise maneuvering.

The 2021 Kia Sorento, as a three-row SUV, offered practicality but had limitations in terms of space. The upper trims featured second-row captain’s chairs, making it more of a four-seater. The third row was too cramped for adults, and the cargo space behind it measured a mere 12.6 cubic feet. However, folding the third-row seats expanded the cargo area to a more practical 75.5 cubic feet. The second-row seats provided ample legroom at 41.7 inches, with the front seats offering 41.4 inches. The Sorento also provided convenient storage solutions, including a phone slot with wireless charging capabilities, two cupholders near the gear selector, and a sizable center console. Door pockets accommodated small water bottles, and the second row had additional cupholders integrated into the rear doors. The 2022 Nissan Rogue excelled in interior storage and cargo space. The front cabin featured multiple storage options, including bottle holders, cupholders, a glove compartment, a center console bin, and a tray beneath the center console. Passengers in the rear had storage options as well, with cubbies in the seatbacks and center armrest. USB-A, USB-C, and 12-volt outlets were conveniently placed for device charging. The Rogue’s cargo area was expansive, offering 31.6 to 36.5 cubic feet of space, depending on the configuration. Folding down the second-row seats revealed an impressive 74.1 cubic feet of cargo space, making it ideal for family trips or bulkier items.

The 2021 Kia Sorento featured a range of technological offerings, although with some usability quirks. The 8-inch touchscreen on the lower trims included hard buttons and knobs for ease of use and supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The larger 10.25-inch screen on higher trims looked stunning but required a physical connection for smartphone projection, which partially diminished its utility due to a third of the screen displaying redundant information. The Sorento was equipped with numerous USB ports, though it lacked USB-C options. The optional Bose stereo in the test car delivered average sound quality, falling short of Kia’s high standards. Furthermore, the navigation system showed room for improvement, particularly in address search and POI functions. The 2022 Nissan Rogue benefited from the technological enhancements introduced in the 2021 model year. Higher trims boasted a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, a 9-inch center touchscreen, and a 10.8-inch head-up display. The infotainment system supported Google Maps and Waze via voice command and featured standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with wireless CarPlay available on upper trims. ProPilot Assist, integrated with the navigation system on specific models, provided advanced driver-assist features, adjusting speed based on road conditions ahead. This system represented a step towards semi-autonomous driving, enhancing overall safety and driving convenience.

The 2021 Kia Sorento included a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, such as automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, driver-attention warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-departure warning, lane-following assist, and auto high beams. The test car also featured a surround-view camera and adaptive cruise control with smooth operation. The Sorento received four out of five stars overall from the NHTSA, with five stars in side-impact crash tests. The IIHS awarded it a Top Safety Pick designation, although the LED headlights on lower trims received a poor rating. The 2022 Nissan Rogue incorporated the Nissan Safety Shield 360 suite across all trims, featuring automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, high beam assist, and rear automatic braking. Additionally, the Rogue included ten airbags, extended crumple zones, and Intelligent Driver Alertness technology. ProPilot Assist offered an advanced driver-assist system with integrated navigation, enhancing safety in various driving conditions. The Rogue earned a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, and the 2021 model achieved a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, indicative of its excellent safety performance.