2021 Nissan Rogue vs 2021 Cadillac XT6

The 2021 Nissan Rogue exhibited a noticeable aesthetic upgrade with its bold, technical styling. The SUV sported dark gray plastic cladding along its lower perimeter, reinforced by bold simulated skid plates and aggressive lower door protection, lending it an audacious SUV appearance. However, the rear bumper's rugged plate may have seemed slightly over-the-top for some.

Distinctive LED lighting, a prominent V-Motion grille, and balanced proportions imparted a modern look. Aluminum wheels up to 19 inches in diameter were standard across all trims, and optional two-tone paint offered a custom flair. The Rogue came in four trims: the entry-level S at $25,650, the popular SV at $27,340, the luxurious SL at $32,000, and the high-end Platinum featuring semi-aniline quilted leather at $35,430. Optional packages and AWD added to the price.

The test Rogue SL came with optional Premium Package and extra-cost paint, totaling $35,195. Its light Almond color leather interior and panoramic sunroof created a spacious feel. Soft-touch surfaces, simulated wood trim, and logically arranged controls enhanced the perceived quality. The climate control panel did appear somewhat dated, reminiscent of an old-school digital clock. Despite this, the Rogue offered modern tech amenities, including wireless Apple CarPlay, disproving any notion of it being outdated.

The 2021 Cadillac XT6, on the other hand, exuded sophistication. Its design mirrored the styling cues of its smaller XT4 and XT5 siblings. The XT6 Sport variant featured a distinctive grille with darkened accents and 20-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels, along with blackened window surrounds, roof rails, and rear bumper. The sharp vehicle lines and slim all-LED headlights contributed to its premium appearance.

Available in seven paint colors, the XT6 offered a standard sunroof. The interior, available in Jet Black, Cirrus, or Maple Sugar, closely resembled that of the XT5 but was roomier. The seats, inspired by luxury SUVs, could be upgraded to semi-aniline leather with the $3,700 Platinum Package. However, some interior elements like buttons and cubbies appeared less premium. Still, essential touchpoints like the steering wheel and console provided a quality feel.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue had one critical shortcoming: it needed more power. It was equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 181 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque, which was only adequate for daily driving. The engine paired with a CVT that performed well, mimicking traditional automatic transmissions. Paddle shifters were provided, but their use was unlikely.

With AWD, 8.2 inches of ground clearance, and new driving modes like Snow and Off-Road, the Rogue was better equipped for adventure. Still, the naturally aspirated engine felt underpowered in more demanding scenarios. A turbocharged engine could have significantly enhanced performance.

Fuel economy was decent, with the test FWD Rogue SL attaining 27.5 mpg, slightly below the EPA rating. The suspension setup, comprising a strut front and multi-link rear, coupled with Intelligent Trace Control and Vehicle Motion Control, provided a smooth and controlled ride. Notably, the new steering system with electric assist on the rack greatly improved steering feel and responsiveness.

The 2021 Cadillac XT6 Sport came with a robust 3.6-liter V6 engine delivering 310 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque through a nine-speed automatic transmission. This engine was standard on the Sport and Premium Luxury trims, while the base Luxury trim had a 2.0-liter turbo-four with 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque.

The V6 was potent, providing smooth acceleration, with the nine-speed transmission handling shifts efficiently. The XT6 models offered FWD and AWD, with the Sport trim only available with AWD. However, the XT6's considerable weight, especially the 4,690-pound Sport model, impacted its driving dynamics, making it feel less agile.

Fuel economy for the turbo-four was 21 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined with AWD. The V6 engine delivered 19 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined with FWD, slightly dropping with AWD.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue focused on comfort with its Zero Gravity seats, designed to reduce stress and fatigue. The new seats were an improvement over the previous generation, offering more comfort across all trims, with manual or power adjustments, and cloth, leatherette, or leather upholstery depending on the trim.

Higher trims included heated seats and steering wheel, though ventilated seats were not available. The Rogue boasted solid rear-seat space and easy rear-door access. With improvements in cabin quietness and practical storage options like door pockets for large bottles and a storage tray under the center console, it catered well to family needs.

Cargo space was generous, with 31.6 to 36.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats and up to 74.1 cubic feet with the seats folded, thanks to the Divide-N-Hide system. Although slightly reduced from the prior model, these figures remained impressive.

The Cadillac XT6, aimed at a premium market, offered standard seven-passenger seating with optional second-row captain's chairs for $800. The seats were comfortable but not the plushest in the segment. The XT6 provided adequate adult space in the third row, a notable improvement over older midsize SUVs, yet it fell short in overall roominess compared to competitors like the Telluride and Palisade.

Front-row storage was limited, and using the wireless phone charger buried the phone, making access inconvenient. Rear cargo space was ample, surpassing many rivals, with power liftgate and power-folding rear seats enhancing practicality. However, space behind the third row was limited, typical of the segment.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue came equipped with a competitive infotainment system. The base S model featured an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, SiriusXM, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Higher trims added NissanConnect Services, a WiFi hotspot, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant integration. A larger 9-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay, Bose audio, and navigation were available on premium trims.

The system's usability was enhanced by knobs for volume and tuning, although their design could make them harder to use. Voice recognition worked well, ensuring ease of use while driving. Platinum trim added further technologies like wireless charging and a digital instrument cluster.

In contrast, the Cadillac XT6's technology was adequate but uninspiring. An 8.0-inch touchscreen with an eight-speaker Bose system, WiFi, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto were standard. Premium features included an upgraded Bose system, navigation, improved wireless charging, and an air ionizer.

The infotainment screen appeared small and cluttered at times, and while practical, it didn't stand out against competitors. The package of features was satisfactory, aligning with segment expectations, but didn't offer a compelling advantage.

Nissan equipped the Rogue with an extensive range of advanced driving assistance systems under the Nissan Safety Shield 360 umbrella, including ten airbags and innovative features like blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert. Adaptive cruise control was available from the SV trim onwards, with advanced ProPilot Assist offering improved accuracy and smoothness.

A variety of safety features, including an airbag between front seats and rear pre-tensioning seatbelts, enhanced protection. Though crash-test results were not available, increased high-strength steel usage suggested robust safety.

The Cadillac XT6 received a comprehensive suite of safety features, including automatic emergency braking, forward-collision alert, and lane-keep assist. Premium trims also had blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. However, the lane-keep assist system often failed to perform effectively.

Optional safety upgrades included adaptive cruise control and enhanced braking systems, available via packages. The XT6 also featured innovative options like a rear-camera mirror and night vision technology. NHTSA awarded it a five-star frontal crash rating, and IIHS named the 2020 structurally identical XT6 a "Top Safety Pick+."