2021 Nissan Rogue vs 2021 Ford Expedition

The 2021 Nissan Rogue showcased a handsome new styling with a more technical appearance, making it look more like an SUV than a car. Dark gray plastic cladding covered the Rogue's lower perimeter, and bold, simulated skid plates and lower door protection conveyed a ruggedness that was perhaps too audacious on the SUV's back bumper. Clean LED lighting elements, a prominent V-Motion grille, and proper proportioning lent the new Rogue a modern aesthetic, with all trim levels featuring aluminum wheels up to 19 inches in diameter. Optional two-tone paint with a black roof treatment gave the SUV a custom look.

Four versions of the new Rogue were available, starting with the Rogue S at $25,650 and culminating in the Rogue Platinum at $35,430, which featured semi-aniline quilted leather and other upscale amenities. Our test vehicle, a Rogue SL, included the Premium Package and extra-cost paint, totaling $35,195 with destination charges. The interior, featuring an Almond color leather and a standard panoramic glass sunroof, was light and bright, emphasizing improved roominess. Abundant soft-touch surfaces, appealing simulated wood trim, and fabric-wrapped windshield pillars lent a sense of quality to the cabin. The Platinum trim offered a luxurious look with quilted semi-aniline leather, contrast stitching, and ambient lighting.

The 2021 Ford Expedition Platinum was a sight for sore eyes after a restless redeye flight from Maui. However, it quickly became apparent that the Expedition couldn't accommodate all the luggage for six passengers, leading to a cramped ride. The Platinum trim, the most luxurious version of the Expedition, capped a lineup starting at $50,595 and included features like Magnetic gray paint, 4WD, and a Heavy Duty Trailer Tow Package. The total cost for the test vehicle was $80,510, including destination charges.

Power-deploying running boards and a rear liftgate added convenience, but the Expedition's inability to fit all the cargo highlighted the utility of minivans. The Expedition Platinum featured an intricately detailed chrome grille, massive 22-inch machined-face aluminum wheels, and tastefully applied brightwork, making it a good-looking vehicle. The extended-length MAX version would have solved the cargo issue, offering more space for passengers and luggage. The leather-lined cabin, though comfortable, reminded occupants of the Expedition's origins with acres of hard plastic, suggesting that a Lincoln Navigator might be a nicer alternative.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue needed more power, with its 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 181 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 181 pound-feet of torque at 3,600 rpm. Weighing nearly 3,500 pounds, the Rogue's output was adequate for daily driving, and the continuously variable transmission (CVT) did a decent job of leveraging the available torque. The CVT, with programmed ratios, felt more like a traditional automatic, and paddle shifters were available on the steering wheel, though rarely used.

The Rogue's available all-wheel drive (AWD), 8.2 inches of ground clearance, and new Snow and Off-Road driving modes made it more adept at adventuring. During a media program, Nissan hinted at a future turbocharged engine, likely the variable-compression turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder used in the Altima sedan and Infiniti QX50. The tested Rogue SL with front-wheel drive (FWD) achieved 27.5 mpg on a driving loop, slightly below the EPA rating. The Rogue's ride and handling were commendable, with a new architecture composed of 35% high-strength steel, a strut front, multi-link rear suspension, and various control systems enhancing the driving experience. The new steering system, with electric assist moved to the steering rack and a quickened ratio, dramatically improved steering feel.

The 2021 Ford Expedition featured a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, a 10-speed automatic transmission, and either rear-wheel drive (RWD) or 4WD. The engine produced 375 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 470 pound-feet of torque at 2,250 rpm, with the Platinum trim boosting these figures to 400 hp and 480 lb-ft of torque. Towing capacity ranged from 9,000 to 9,300 pounds, depending on the specification, and Ford's Pro Trailer Backup Assist technology made maneuvering trailers easier.

The Expedition's acceleration was impressive, even with a full load of passengers and cargo. The twin-turbo V6 emitted a pleasant engine note, and the transmission, steering, and brakes performed as expected. The Platinum's 22-inch wheels affected ride quality, transmitting road shock into the cabin, but the four-wheel independent suspension kept the SUV stable. The FX4 Off-Road Package, available on XLT and Limited models, added off-road capabilities, but our Platinum test vehicle stuck to the pavement, averaging 17.1 mpg on the evaluation loop, slightly below the EPA rating of 19 mpg in combined driving.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue featured Zero Gravity seat designs, aiming to replicate a neutral spine position for comfort. The new Rogue's improved seats were more comfortable, with cloth upholstery and manual driver's height adjuster in S trim, eight-way power adjustment and optional leatherette in SV trim, standard leather in SL trim, and premium leather in Platinum trim. Heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and heated rear seats were available, though ventilated seats were not offered.

The Rogue's interior was quieter, thanks to aerodynamic improvements, acoustic front glass, and a thicker dashboard insulator. Storage was ample, with a new electronic shifter freeing up space under the center console, door-panel pockets accommodating 32-ounce water bottles, and a split butterfly-style opening for the center armrest bin. The power rear liftgate, standard in SL and Platinum trims, revealed 31.6 cubic feet of cargo capacity in S and SV trims, and up to 36.5 cubic feet with the Divide-N-Hide cargo management system in SL and Platinum trims. Folding the rear seat down provided a maximum volume of 74.1 cubic feet, among the largest in the class.

The 2021 Ford Expedition excelled in comfort and utility, with large, wide seats for every passenger, including adults in the third row. The independent rear suspension ensured comfort, and storage for odds and ends was plentiful. With the third-row seat folded down, cargo volume expanded from 19.3 cubic feet to 57.5 cubic feet, and the maximum volume behind the front seats measured 104.6 cubic feet. The Expedition MAX offered even more space, with 34.3 cubic feet behind the third row, 73.3 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 121.5 cubic feet with all seats folded.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue offered a competitive infotainment package, starting with an 8-inch touchscreen display, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto in S trim. The system included knobs for power/volume and station tuning, though they were small and hard to grasp. Moving up to SV or SL trim added NissanConnect Services, a WiFi hotspot, and Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant integration. The SL Premium Package and Rogue Platinum featured a larger 9-inch touchscreen display, door-to-door navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay, an upgraded voice recognition system, and a Bose premium audio system. The Platinum trim also included wireless smartphone charging, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and a 10.8-inch head-up display.

The 2021 Ford Expedition's Sync 3 infotainment system, though aging, remained user-friendly. The 8-inch touchscreen display was small and sometimes slow to respond, but Sync 3 offered features like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, FordPass Connect services, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and a navigation system. Amazon Alexa compatibility and an enhanced voice recognition system were also included. The test vehicle featured a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen premium sound system and wireless smartphone charging, but not the available dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue prioritized safety, equipping every model with Nissan Safety Shield 360, which included features like automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, and a blind-spot warning system with rear cross-traffic alert. The Rogue also had ten airbags, a driver monitoring system, and a rear-seat reminder system. Platinum trim added an airbag between the driver and front passenger. ProPilot Assist, standard in SV trim, included adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assistance, with an upgraded version available in SL Premium Package and Platinum trim. Crash-test results were unavailable, but the increased use of high-strength steel and improved engineering suggested good crash protection.

The 2021 Ford Expedition, with a minimum curb weight of 5,368 pounds, had a safety advantage over most vehicles. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded the Expedition a five-star overall crash-test rating, though the rollover-resistance rating was three stars for RWD and four stars for 4WD. Standard Ford Co-Pilot360 included features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic high-beam headlights. Limited trim and above offered adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, a semi-autonomous parking assistance system, and a 360-degree surround-view camera system.