2022 Nissan Rogue vs 2021 Lexus GX

The 2021 Lexus GX 460’s styling was a testament to its long tenure on the market. Retaining the same basic body shell from a decade ago, it had undergone several updates over the years. The GX adopted Lexus’ spindle grille in 2014, which was further refined in 2020 with a textured insert and new triple-beam LED headlights. The 2021 model didn’t introduce any new styling changes but did make silver 18-inch wheels standard on the Premium trim. Despite its age, the GX’s tough, aggressive look remained distinctive and appealing to SUV shoppers. However, the interior lagged behind modern luxury standards, with wood trim that felt like plastic and an abundance of actual plastic. Standard leather upholstery was a plus, but the overall feel was not up to par with contemporary luxury SUVs.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue, redesigned in 2021, continued to impress with its mature and sophisticated styling. The exterior featured Nissan’s V-motion grille, multi-level LED headlights, and a floating roof design. The SL and Platinum trims added LED fog lamps and active grille shutters for improved airflow. Inside, the Rogue boasted a layered dash design with contrasting colors and surfaces, creating a detailed and tasteful look. The center console was a highlight, featuring an electronic gear selector lever, ample storage space, and a 9-inch infotainment display. The Rogue’s Zero Gravity front seats and roomy second row provided comfort and space, while the fit and finish, especially on the Platinum model, were exemplary.

The 2021 Lexus GX kept things simple with a single powertrain option: a 4.6-liter V8 engine producing 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The GX 460’s performance was a throwback to an earlier era of SUVs. The V8 engine provided ample power for acceleration, with a 0-60 mph time of 7.8 seconds. However, the GX’s 5,130-pound weight made higher-speed maneuvers and braking more challenging. The body-on-frame construction resulted in a less refined ride quality, with noticeable body roll and low grip in corners. Despite these drawbacks, the GX excelled in off-road capability, featuring a Torsen center differential, a standard 4WD system with a low range, and several driver aids like hill-descent control and hill-start assist. The optional Off-Road Package added further enhancements for rugged terrain. The GX 460 also boasted a respectable 6,500-pound towing capacity.

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% increase in horsepower and a 24% increase in torque compared to the previous 2.5-liter engine. The VC-Turbo engine’s variable compression technology allowed for improved power and efficiency, resulting in impressive fuel economy figures of 30 mpg city, 37 mpg highway, and 33 mpg combined. The Rogue’s new CVT transmission offered wider gear ratios, enhancing acceleration and responsiveness. The chassis and suspension provided a smooth and controlled ride, with minimal body roll and good steering feel. The Rogue’s performance was lively and engaging, making it a standout in its class.

The 2021 Lexus GX’s interior ergonomics reflected its age, with an upright dashboard and high center console that limited legroom. The steering wheel’s odd angle and the tall seating position made driving feel like operating a bus. However, the boxy profile provided excellent outward visibility, especially through the low side glass. Storage options were limited, with small center-console bins, cupholders, and in-door bottle holders. The GX came standard with three rows of seating, but the third row was best suited for children and difficult to access. Cargo space was also limited, with only 64.7 cubic feet available with the second and third rows folded, and virtually no space with the third row up.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue excelled in interior space and storage options. The front cabin featured numerous storage areas, including bottle holders, cupholders, a glove compartment, a center console bin, and cubbies in the dash. Rear-seat passengers had access to storage in the doors, seatbacks, and center armrest, along with USB-A and USB-C ports. The second-row seat was a 60/40 split reclining bench, providing flexibility for passengers and cargo. The Rogue offered 31.6-36.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the second row up, expanding to 74.1 cubic feet with the seats folded flat, making it a practical choice for families and commuters.

The 2021 Lexus GX was light on tech features, reflecting its decade-old design. Standard features included Bluetooth, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant connectivity, but Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were notably absent. The infotainment system’s graphics were outdated, and the touchscreen offered limited functionality. However, Lexus included analog controls for most functions, providing a straightforward interface. A 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system was available as an upgrade.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue benefited from a technology upgrade in its 2021 redesign, which carried over to the 2022 model. Upper trim levels featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, a 9-inch center infotainment touchscreen, and a 10.8-inch head-up display. 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, offering predictive speed control based on road conditions. Nissan’s Intelligent Key allowed for convenient access to both front and rear doors.

The 2021 Lexus GX 460 had not been rated by the NHTSA or IIHS. It came standard with the Lexus Safety System+ bundle, which included forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, automatic high beams, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were also standard. However, the GX lacked some advanced safety features found in other Lexus and Toyota models, such as traffic-sign recognition and Lane Tracing Assist.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue featured the Nissan Safety Shield 360 suite across all trim levels, including 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 also 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 the 2021 model was awarded a Top Safety Pick+ rating by the IIHS.