2021 Nissan Rogue vs 2021 Acura RDX

The 2021 Nissan Rogue wore a handsome new styling that provided a more technical and robust appearance, making it stand out as a true SUV rather than just a car. Dark gray plastic cladding covered its lower perimeter, and bold, simulated skid plates, along with lower door protection, lent it a rugged look, albeit too audaciously on the SUV's rear bumper. Clean LED lighting elements, a prominent V-Motion grille, and proper proportions gave the 2021 Rogue a distinct, modern aesthetic, with aluminum wheels ranging up to 19 inches in diameter, making it more appealing. Opting for a two-tone paint with a black roof treatment enhanced its visual appeal, giving it a custom look.

There were four versions of the Rogue available: Rogue S, Rogue SV, Rogue SL, and the new-for-2021 Rogue Platinum, with a pricing range from $25,650 to $35,430, plus a $1,095 destination charge for each trim. Factory options included all-wheel drive for $1,400 and Premium option packages for the SV and SL.

The tested Rogue SL featured Almond color leather interior with a standard panoramic glass sunroof, emphasizing spaciousness and improved roominess. The interior was filled with abundant soft-touch surfaces, appealing simulated wood trim, and fabric-wrapped windshield pillars, giving a refined sense of quality. The controls were arranged in a clear and logical manner, and the Platinum trim offered an even more luxurious experience with quilted semi-aniline leather, contrast stitching, and ambient lighting.

In contrast, the 2021 Acura RDX brought a sporty and sophisticated look, especially when equipped with the optional A-Spec Package. It's exterior featured subtle yet effective styling changes without going overboard on blacked-out trim or traditional performance design cues. Skid plates, bulging fender flares, and other off-roading frippery were absent, as the RDX was meant for daily driving and road-tripping.

The RDX was positioned as a premium vehicle with prices starting at $38,200 for the base trim and going up to $46,000 for the Advance Package. A-Spec Package brought the MSRP to $44,100, and the SH-AWD system could be added for an additional $2,000. With extra-cost Platinum White paint, the total came to $47,625, including a $1,025 destination charge.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue faced criticism for its need for more power. Weighing nearly 3,500 pounds, it was powered by a direct-injected 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 181 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 181 pound-feet of torque at 3,600 rpm. This output was adequate for daily driving, and the continuously variable transmission (CVT) did a decent job of leveraging available torque, although the Rogue's driving dynamics were not particularly exciting without engaging the Sport mode. The Rogue also offered all-wheel drive, up to 8.2 inches of ground clearance, Snow and Off-Road driving modes, enhancing its ability to go off the beaten path.

Fuel economy for the tested Rogue SL with front-wheel drive was 27.5 mpg, slightly short of the EPA rating of 29 mpg combined. Nevertheless, the Rogue's ride and handling were commendable, with a multi-link rear suspension, Intelligent Trace Control, Active Ride Control, and a new Vehicle Motion Control system, providing a predictable, smooth, and athletic driving experience. The redesigned steering with electric assist on the rack greatly improved steering feel over the previous generation.

In contrast, the 2021 Acura RDX came equipped with a more powerful turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that delivered 272 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 280 pound-feet of torque from 1,600 rpm to 4,500 rpm. A 10-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters complemented this powertrain, and the SH-AWD system enhanced handling by delivering up to 70% of engine output to the rear wheels, offering a more engaging driving experience.

The RDX featured an Integrated Dynamics System with Snow, Comfort, Sport, and Sport+ driving modes. A-Spec models came with exclusive Shark Gray 20-inch alloy wheels and larger 255/45 performance all-season tires, providing a slightly more aggressive feel. Despite lacking the adaptive dampers found in the Advance Package, the RDX A-Spec's road manners were improved by precise steering, fade-resistant brakes, and the responsive turbocharged engine, making it rewarding to drive even if some minor adjustments could have enhanced the experience further.

Nissan made strides in the 2021 Rogue's comfort by improving its Zero Gravity seat designs. The previous generation's seats felt somewhat small, but the 2021 model upgraded to better seats, improving overall comfort. Depending on the trim level, the Rogue featured cloth, leatherette, standard leather, or premium quilted leather upholstery, with heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and heated rear seats available on higher trims. Nissan didn't offer ventilated seats, though.

The triple-zone climate control in SL and Platinum trims allowed rear-seat occupants control over their temperature, with rear air conditioning vents standard across all models. Interior noise was reduced for a quieter ride, with aerodynamic improvements, acoustic front glass, and a thicker dashboard insulator.

The rear seats offered more headroom and legroom than before, with nearly 90-degree rear door openings for easy access. LATCH anchors in the rear bench seat made it possible to accommodate up to three child safety seats, with a rear-seat reminder system standard across all trims. The Rogue's electronic shifter provided additional storage under the center console, and door-panel pockets accommodated large water bottles.

Most versions of the Rogue included a power rear liftgate, with a hands-free design in SL and Platinum trims. Cargo capacity reached 31.6 cubic feet in S and SV trims, and 36.5 cubic feet in the SL and Platinum due to the Divide-N-Hide cargo management system. The 74.1 cubic feet maximum cargo volume with the rear seats folded made it competitive in the segment.

The 2021 Acura RDX offered a remarkable amount of passenger and cargo space for a compact SUV. The front seats in the A-Spec trim featured 12-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation, providing excellent support during spirited driving. However, rear-seat comfort was compromised by a design meant to maximize cargo floor flatness, leading to a low and flat cushion that resulted in less leg support and an uncomfortable slouching posture for rear-seat passengers.

Storage space could have been better, with a significant yet challenging-to-access tray under the center console. Cargo volume measured 29.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats with additional storage wells for smaller items. With the rear seats folded, the RDX offered 58.9 cubic feet of cargo capacity, though Acura also quoted a seemingly inflated 79.8 cubic feet using a different methodology. Nonetheless, the cargo area was spacious enough for most tasks.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue included a competitive infotainment package. The base S trim featured an 8-inch touchscreen display, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, with a free six-month trial to the Nissan Concierge Personal Assistant. Moving up to SV or SL trims added NissanConnect Services, a WiFi hotspot, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant integration. SL Premium Package and Platinum trims offered a 9-inch touchscreen with door-to-door navigation, real-time traffic, wireless Apple CarPlay, an upgraded voice recognition system, and a Bose premium audio system.

Further, the Platinum trim included wireless smartphone charging, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and a 10.8-inch head-up display. The tested setup worked well, though the stubby knobs and small shortcut buttons were minor drawbacks.

Acura's True Touchpad Interface (TTI) in the 2021 RDX was a more challenging system to master. Unlike the touchscreen systems in many competitors, the TTI used a touch-sensing pad on the center console. The touchpad mirrored the screen, improving over systems like Lexus's, but still required a significant learning curve and increased potential for distraction. The lack of a touchscreen option could be a drawback for many users familiar with smartphone interfaces.

Despite the TTI's drawbacks, Acura provided many necessary features, including physical knobs for stereo and climate controls, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, integration with Amazon Alexa and Google Home, and a high-quality integrated voice-recognition system. The A-Spec trim's infotainment experience was enhanced by a 16-speaker Acura/ELS Studio 3D premium audio system, which delivered excellent sound quality.

Nissan prioritized safety in the 2021 Rogue, equipping every model with a comprehensive collection of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) under the Nissan Safety Shield 360 umbrella. This included features like automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection and lane-departure warning, along with a blind-spot warning system with rear cross-traffic alert, starting right from the base trim. The Rogue also offered adaptive cruise control starting with the SV trim, part of the improved ProPilot Assist system with lane-centering assistance.

Higher trims with the SL Premium Package and Platinum also featured ProPilot Assist with Navi-link technology, automatically adjusting speed based on navigation data and improving overall driving assistance. The use of high-strength steel and advanced safety engineering likely contributed to better crash performance, although official crash-test results were pending.

Acura equipped every 2021 RDX with AcuraWatch, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, lane-departure warning, forward-collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. However, blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert required upgrading to the Technology Package, leaving the base trim less equipped than ideal. While lacking newer features found in the TLX sedan, such as pedestrian detection and Traffic Jam Assist, the RDX's AcuraWatch systems were refined and user-friendly.

The RDX also boasted impressive safety ratings, with a Top Safety Pick+ from IIHS and a five-star overall rating from NHTSA, although its four-star frontal-impact and rollover resistance ratings were slightly less than perfect.