2021 Nissan Rogue vs 2021 Ford Bronco Sport

The 2021 Nissan Rogue featured a handsomely revamped design with a more technical look, making it appear more like an SUV than a car. It was wrapped in dark gray plastic cladding along the lower perimeter, accentuated with bold, simulated skid plates and lower door protection, which might have seemed a bit over the top on the back bumper. Clean LED lighting elements, a prominent V-Motion grille, and balanced proportions lent the Rogue a modern aesthetic. All trim levels sported aluminum wheels up to 19 inches. The Rogue also offered optional two-tone paint with a black roof treatment, adding a custom touch.

Available in four versions: the base Rogue S ($25,650), the popular Rogue SV ($27,340), the luxurious Rogue SL ($32,000), and the upscale Rogue Platinum ($35,430), the Rogue covered a range of budgets and luxury needs, with destination charges adding $1,095 to each. Factory options included a $1,400 all-wheel-drive upgrade and premium packages for the SV ($2,660) and SL ($1,320). For a test drive, the Rogue SL totaled $35,195, including destination charges, floor mats, a cargo area protection package, premium package, and optional paint.

Inside, the Rogue SL’s cabin boasted an Almond color leather interior, standard panoramic glass sunroof, abundant soft-touch surfaces, simulated wood trim, and fabric-wrapped windshield pillars, all enhancing its sense of quality and roominess. Controls were intuitively arranged, and selecting the Platinum trim added a touch of luxury with quilted semi-aniline leather, contrast stitching, and ambient lighting.

One quirky detail was the climate control panel digits, reminiscent of an old-school digital clock from the 1980s. Despite offering a CD player, the Rogue didn't lag in tech, featuring wireless Apple CarPlay among other modern capabilities.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport, on its debut, impressed with its modern retro styling, reminiscent of the 1966-1996 Bronco but designed for both urban and outdoor use. Its short front overhang and tucked-in sides were optimized for trail driving, while its front and rear ends echoed the classic Bronco design, complemented by bold “BRONCO” lettering on the grille and tailgate. The only exterior Ford emblem was a modest badge on the tailgate.

Wheel choices varied across trims, starting with 17-inch Sparkle Silver wheels on the Base model, while the Big Bend got 17-inch Carbonized Gray-painted high-gloss aluminum wheels. The Outer Banks upped the ante with 18-inch machined-face aluminum Ebony Black-painted wheels with all-season tires, and the Badlands model shared the wheel design but came with 28.5-inch all-terrain tires. Finally, the First Edition featured 17-inch Ebony Black-painted wheels with 29-inch all-terrain tires. Wheel and tire upgrades were available for a starting cost of $595.

Inside, the Bronco Sport held a tastefully rugged interior, featuring an uncluttered design with a unique shape for HVAC vents and multiple storage cubbies. The center stack was pragmatic, sporting an 8-inch infotainment screen and rotary gear selector. Interior trims ascended predictably from cloth seats to leather-trimmed, heated sport-contour bucket seats, culminating with Navy Pier Leather power front seats in the First Edition. Floor mats transitioned from rubberized in lower trims to carpeted in higher ones, all designed with a purpose.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue faced critique due to its need for more power. At nearly 3,500 pounds, its sole engine was a direct-injected 2.5-liter four-cylinder producing 181 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 181 pound-feet of torque at 3,600 rpm. This output sufficed for daily driving, while the continuously variable transmission (CVT) efficiently managed the available torque. The CVT felt akin to a traditional automatic due to programmed ratios, even offering steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters, though they weren't really necessary.

Off-road, the available AWD, 8.2 inches ground clearance, and new Snow and Off-Road modes rendered the Rogue capable of venturing away from paved roads. Nevertheless, in mountainous terrain, the 2.5-liter engine felt underpowered. A more potent turbocharged engine was hinted at by Nissan, possibly the variable-compression turbo 2.0-liter four-cylinder from the Altima sedan and Infiniti QX50.

The Rogue SL (FWD) returned a fuel economy of 27.5 mpg, somewhat short of its official EPA rating. Despite lacking power, the new Rogue was praised for its ride and handling, thanks to a robust new architecture composed of 35% high-strength steel, strut front, and multi-link rear suspension. Brake-induced Intelligent Trace Control and Active Ride Control bolstered the suspension, while Vehicle Motion Control anticipated driver inputs for a smoother ride.

Nissan also relocated the electric steering assist to the steering rack, quickened the ratio, and finely tuned it, significantly improving the steering feel compared to the previous-generation Rogue.

Conversely, Ford equipped the 2021 Bronco Sport with two engine choices linked to trims. Base, Big Bend, and Outer Banks models housed a 1.5-liter EcoBoost turbocharged three-cylinder engine delivering 181 horsepower and 190 pound-feet of torque. The Badlands and First Edition models featured a 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder producing 245 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque. All models had an eight-speed automatic transmission and AWD, supplemented by a terrain management system with up to seven G.O.A.T. modes.

The Bronco Sport excelled off-road, thanks to its 105.1-inch wheelbase, independent suspension, substantial suspension travel, and ground clearance between 7.8 to 8.8 inches, depending on tires. Despite being marketed for adventure, it functioned commendably as a daily commuter. The 2.0-liter engine was particularly well-suited for this role, whereas the 1.5-liter engine felt strained under heavy load.

Nissan’s Zero Gravity seats graced the 2021 Rogue, designed for comfort inspired by the human body’s neutral spine position in space. These seats appeared more substantial than in previous models. Trim levels determined the upholstery, ranging from cloth in S trim to premium leather in Platinum. Heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and heated rear seats were available as one ascended the trim ladder, though ventilated seats weren't offered.

Air conditioning varied across trims: standard in all, dual-zone automatic in SV, and triple-zone in SL and Platinum with rear-seat controls. Interior noise was minimized through aerodynamic enhancements, acoustic front glass, and a thicker dashboard insulator.

The Rogue improved rear-seat space, with headroom and legroom exceeding the previous model. Rear doors opening to nearly 90 degrees facilitated easy passenger loading, and the Rogue could fit three child safety seats. A rear-seat reminder system was standard to prevent leaving children in the car.

Storage was ample: an electronic shifter freed up space under the center console for a storage tray, door-panel pockets held 32-ounce water bottles, and the center armrest had a split butterfly-style opening. Cargo capacities varied by trim: 31.6 cubic feet in S and SV models, and up to 36.5 cubic feet in SL and Platinum trims with Divide-N-Hide cargo management. Maximum cargo volume reached 74.1 cubic feet with the rear seats down.

The 2021 Bronco Sport was crafted with active buyers in mind, featuring clever cargo space capable of holding two 27.5-inch-wheel mountain bikes. Over 100 factory and aftermarket accessories were available for transporting various gear. The roof could support up to 150 pounds (100 with a moonroof). Towing capacities were 2,200 pounds for the 2.0-liter engine models and 2,000 pounds for the 1.5-liter variants.

The cargo area contained thoughtful features, such as a rear glass that flipped up and an optional cargo management package with a slide-out work table, a 400-watt inverter, and liftgate floodlamps. Front cabin storage was similarly well-designed, with ample compartments for gadgets and tools.

Driving visibility presented minor issues for taller drivers, both on-road and off-road, primarily due to the roof overhang and hood bulges.

Nissan's infotainment in the 2021 Rogue started with S trim, featuring an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, SiriusXM, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a six-month trial of Nissan Concierge Personal Assistant. User-friendly knobs for volume and tuning, although a bit stubby, and menu shortcut buttons at the display’s bottom facilitated navigation.

Higher trims added NissanConnect Services, a WiFi hotspot, and integration with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. These services included remote engine start, collision notifications, speed and boundary alerts, and car finder functions, requiring a subscription after the trial period.

The SL Premium Package and Rogue Platinum included a larger 9-inch display, door-to-door navigation with real-time traffic, wireless Apple CarPlay, upgraded voice recognition, and a Bose premium audio system. Additional tech in Platinum trim comprised wireless smartphone charging, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and a 10.8-inch head-up display.

Ford's Bronco Sport embraced the latest infotainment tech. The 8-inch touchscreen connected to SYNC 3, compatible with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Ford+Alexa, and SiriusXM. FordConnect offered a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. Base audio was a six-speaker AM/FM stereo, with a Bang & Olufsen system available for higher trims, alongside a $1,595 to $2,595 package inclusive of a 360-degree camera.

The Bronco Sport's terrain management system boasted up to seven G.O.A.T. modes. Trails were made easier with trail control technology, functioning like cruise control at low speeds.

Except for the Base model, intelligent access with push-button start was standard. Higher trims included a heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel and a digital instrument panel.

Nissan emphasized safety in the 2021 Rogue, equipping all trims with a comprehensive suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) under Nissan Safety Shield 360. Features included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, and notably a blind-spot warning system with rear cross-traffic alert rather than adaptive cruise control, providing significant safety benefits.

The Rogue also featured ten airbags, a driver monitoring system, and a rear-seat reminder. For additional safety, the Platinum trim added a center airbag between driver and front passenger. Adaptive cruise control was included from the SV trim onward, part of the ProPilot Assist system with improved radar and camera units for accuracy and smoothness. Enhanced ProPilot Assist with Navi-link technology was available in higher trims.

Ford equipped the 2021 Bronco Sport with the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite of safety features across all trims. This included pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection, forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, auto high-beam headlamps, and a reversing camera.

The optional Co-Pilot360 Assist+ bundle (excluding Base trim) added adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, lane centering, evasive steering assist, voice-activated touchscreen navigation, and road-sign recognition (except Big Bend). Trailer sway control was part of the tow package, enhancing towing safety. All models came with AWD, integrating traction control, ABS, and electronic stability control.