2022 Nissan Rogue vs 2021 Lincoln Corsair

The 2021 Lincoln Corsair, introduced as a successor to the dated MKC, dramatically redefined Lincoln’s approach to compact luxury SUVs. The Corsair rode on the new C2 platform shared with the Ford Escape, but Lincoln successfully differentiated its offering. Unlike General Motors' mostly indistinguishable luxury offerings, the Corsair set a new course for Lincoln by adopting a unique and polished aesthetic.

The exterior of the Corsair broke away from the aggressive styling common in the segment, presenting a refined and sophisticated look with slab sides, blacked-out rear pillars, and consistent belt- and rooflines extending to the back. These design cues, borrowed from the larger Aviator and Navigator, made the Corsair appear more substantial than its actual size.

Inside, the Corsair took cues from its pricier siblings with a flowing dash, floating center touchscreen, and signature “Piano Key” shifter buttons. However, the cabin didn’t entirely match the high-end fit and finish of the more expensive Lincoln models, featuring more hard-touch materials. The Standard trim level came with 18-inch alloy wheels and a straightforward design geared towards older buyers, but younger buyers found appeal in lighter options with tan leather.

In contrast, the 2022 Nissan Rogue embraced a more mature and sophisticated design following its 2021 overhaul. Sharing design elements with newer Nissans like the Pathfinder, the Rogue featured a V-motion grille, multi-level LED headlights, and LED fog lamps on higher trims. The active grille shutters and underbody covers boosted airflow, and a floating roof created a sleek visual effect while the bulging liftgate added a touch of ruggedness.

Inside, the Rogue's layered dash presented a sophisticated look with contrasting colors and textures across different trims. The center console housed an electronic gear selector, freeing space for an open area beneath perfect for small storage needs. The 9-inch center infotainment display was well-positioned for driver accessibility, and the interior trim boasted Nissan’s Zero Gravity front seats, known for their comfort.

The 2021 Lincoln Corsair came with two engine options: a base 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder producing 250 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, and an optional 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivering 295 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with the smaller engine offering both FWD and AWD while the larger engine came exclusively with AWD.

The driving modes of the Corsair included unique options like “Conserve” and “Excite,” with the latter providing a sportier driving feel. The 2.3-liter engine delivered strong acceleration and confident handling, though it did exhibit some body roll during aggressive turns. The suspension could absorb potholes at high speeds, reducing the shock impact.

For 2021, Lincoln introduced the Grand Touring trim powered by a plug-in hybrid powertrain combining a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with a CVT, electric motors, and a battery for a combined 266 horsepower. This setup could travel 28 miles on pure electric power and delivered an efficiency rating of 78 MPGe in electric mode and 33 mpg in hybrid mode.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue received a new boost from its 1.5-liter VC-Turbo engine, boasting 201 horsepower and 225 pound-feet of torque. This innovative engine, featuring Variable Compression technology, adjusted the combustion chamber size mechanically, optimizing performance, and efficiency as needed. This was a significant improvement over the old 2.5-liter engine, enhancing both power and fuel efficiency significantly, with the EPA rating it at 30 mpg city/37 mpg highway/33 mpg combined.

The Rogue’s CVT received a refresh with broader gear ratios to provide better acceleration and responsiveness. Though enthusiasts may notice the characteristic CVT drone, the average driver found the transmission smooth and efficient. The Rogue’s chassis and suspension ensured controlled ride quality with minimal body roll and agile steering, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2021 Lincoln Corsair’s cabin offered a spacious and comfortable environment with plenty of storage solutions albeit with some ergonomic nuances. Specifically, the floor’s noticeable lip beneath the doorframe posed a tripping hazard, requiring occupants to be vigilant when getting in and out. Despite this, the reclining and sliding rear seats provided comfort and flexibility, and both rows offered ample head and legroom.

The Corsair offered 27.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 57.6 cubic feet when folded—adequate but not standout figures for the segment. The power liftgate came standard with an optional hands-free feature, enhancing convenience.

In contrast, the 2022 Nissan Rogue optimized storage intelligently throughout the cabin with various cubbies, bottle holders, and power outlets catering to modern connectivity needs. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed similar thoughtful touches with plenty of storage options and charging ports. The second row featured a 60/40 split reclining bench, enhancing versatility.

Cargo capacity in the Rogue was slightly superior, offering 31.6-36.5 cubic feet behind the second row, expanding to 74.1 cubic feet with seats folded. This made the Rogue a practical choice for those needing more load space.

The 2021 Lincoln Corsair’s technology centered around its 8-inch touchscreen running SYNC 3, featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The infotainment system’s intuitive layout facilitated easy use, complemented by a well-placed voice control button on the steering wheel. The Reserve trim added wireless device charging and a 14-speaker Revel premium audio system alongside a crystal-clear head-up display (HUD).

For 2022, the Nissan Rogue carried forward the tech upgrades from its 2021 redesign, featuring a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, a 9-inch center touchscreen, and a 10.8-inch HUD on higher trims. Standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with wireless capability on upper trims, enhanced connectivity, and the ProPilot Assist offered an advanced driver-assist experience, integrating navigation system data to optimize driving performance proactively.

The 2021 Lincoln Corsair came equipped with the Lincoln CoPilot360 suite, featuring forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The additional Lincoln CoPilot360 Plus suite offered enhancements like adaptive LED headlights, surround-view parking cameras, speed-limit sign recognition, and automatic parking assist. The Corsair received the IIHS Top Safety Pick Plus rating when equipped with high-feature headlights.

Similarly, the 2022 Nissan Rogue included the Nissan Safety Shield 360 suite as standard, encompassing automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, high beam assist, and rear automatic braking. The Rogue’s ProPilot Assist with Navi-Link provided an advanced Level 2 driver-assist system. The 2022 Rogue received a four-star NHTSA rating, pending IIHS updates.