2021 Land Rover Defender vs 2022 Nissan Rogue

The 2021 Land Rover Defender carried forward the legacy of its predecessors, which dated back to the original Land Rover Series I from 1948. The Defender's design evolved over the decades, maintaining its distinctive look with round headlamps, a box-shaped cabin, and a tall roofline. The new Defender echoed this classic vibe while incorporating modern elements like half-round LED headlights and a structural-looking grille. The vehicle's short overhangs and robust build gave it a planted, capable appearance, and the fit and finish were first-rate.

Inside, the Defender's theme of exposed structure was prominent, with a dash held between horizontal beams and exposed Allen-head bolts securing the door panels. The controls and steering wheel were beefy, and the leather-upholstered seating was both tough and luxurious. The digital instrument panel and center touchscreen interface were crisp and clean, and the overall interior felt authentic and high-quality, with real metal and leather surfaces.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue, redesigned in 2021, continued to impress with its grownup look and several exterior design features common to other Nissan vehicles. It sported a V-motion grille, multi-level LED headlights, and a floating roof illusion created by dark supporting pillars. The Rogue's cabin followed a layered dash design trend, with contrasting colors and surfaces in some trims. The center console featured an electronic gear selector lever, freeing up space for storage beneath it.

The Rogue's interior was designed with practicality in mind, offering numerous storage options for both front and rear passengers. The second-row seat was a 60/40 split reclining bench, and the cargo area could accommodate 31.6-36.5 cubic feet of luggage, expanding to 74.1 cubic feet with the second row folded flat. The Rogue's fit and finish were exemplary, especially in the top-of-the-line Platinum model.

The 2021 Land Rover Defender offered two powertrains in the U.S.: a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four-cylinder engine producing 296 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, and a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six-cylinder mild-hybrid setup producing 395 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time 4WD with low range and Terrain Response were standard. The Defender's off-road capabilities were impressive, with a 30.1-degree approach angle, 37.6-degree departure angle, and a maximum wading depth of 35.4 inches. On the road, the Defender was quick, with the 2.0-liter model reaching 0-60 mph in 7.7 seconds and the 3.0-liter model in 5.8 seconds. It also had a maximum towing capacity of 8,200 pounds and a payload capacity of over 1,700 pounds.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue received a performance boost from its new 1.5-liter VC-Turbo engine, producing 201 horsepower and 225 lb-ft of torque. This engine featured Variable Compression technology, which adjusted the compression ratio for optimal power and efficiency. The Rogue's new CVT transmission had wider gear ratios, improving acceleration and responsiveness. The Rogue's fuel economy was impressive, with EPA estimates of 30 mpg city/37 mpg highway/33 mpg combined. The chassis and suspension provided a smooth, controlled ride with minimal body roll, and the electric power-assisted steering had good feel.

The 2021 Land Rover Defender rode on a unibody platform shared with the Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, and Discovery, making extensive use of aluminum for weight reduction and strength. Its four-wheel independent multi-link air suspension enhanced both on-road and off-road performance. The Defender's interior offered flexible seating options, including a jump seat between the front seats and an optional third-row seat in the long-wheelbase 110 model. Cargo space was generous, with 34-34.6 cubic feet behind the second row in the 110 and 15.6 cubic feet in the 90. The 110 model had a maximum cargo capacity of 78.8 cubic feet.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue's interior was designed with practicality in mind, offering numerous storage options for both front and rear passengers. The second-row seat was a 60/40 split reclining bench, and the cargo area could accommodate 31.6-36.5 cubic feet of luggage, expanding to 74.1 cubic feet with the second row folded flat. The Rogue's fit and finish were exemplary, especially in the top-of-the-line Platinum model.

The 2021 Land Rover Defender featured Land Rover's Electronic Vehicle Architecture 2.0, allowing for remote software updates to 14 individual modules. The Pivi Pro infotainment system included a 10-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto as standard. Multiple camera views, including a "transparent hood" view, were available for off-roading. The audio system could be upgraded to a Meridian sound system with up to 700 watts of amplification. A full-color head-up display and a ClearSight rear-view mirror were also available.

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 trim levels. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, 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. This system could adjust speed proactively based on road conditions ahead.

The 2021 Land Rover Defender came with an extensive list of standard safety features, including a perimeter alarm, front airbags, a tire pressure monitoring system, electronic traction control, dynamic stability control, roll stability control, emergency braking, anti-lock braking, emergency brake assist, cruise control speed limiter, blind spot assist, lane-keep assist, driver condition monitor, traffic sign recognition, rear traffic monitor, clear exit monitor, and a 360-degree parking aid. The Defender underwent extensive durability testing during its development.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue featured the Nissan Safety Shield 360 suite of safety technologies across all trim levels. Standard safety 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. The Rogue had ten supplemental airbags and extended crumple zones for passive safety. ProPilot Assist, available on higher trims, combined steering-assist and adaptive cruise control for advanced driver assistance. The 2022 Rogue received a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS for the 2021 model.