2021 Nissan Rogue vs 2021 Hyundai Tucson

2021 Nissan Rogue
2021 Nissan Rogue
$26,050MSRP
Overview
Overview
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2021 Hyundai Tucson
2021 Hyundai Tucson
$23,700MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Nissan Rogue
$26,050MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Hyundai Tucson
$23,700MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now

CarGurus highlights

Winning Vehicle Image

According to CarGurus experts, the overall rating for the 2021 Nissan Rogue is 9 out of 10, while the 2021 Hyundai Tucson scores 7.7 out of 10. The Nissan Rogue stands out as the superior choice with higher ratings in performance, technology, and interior design, making it a better-rounded vehicle for those seeking a mix of style, comfort, and tech in a compact SUV.

Overview

MSRP

$26,050

MSRP

$23,700

Average price

$22,968

Average price

$20,259

Listings

4414

Listings

844
Ratings & Reviews
User Reviews
User Reviews

Expert reviews

9.0 out of 10

Expert reviews

7.7 out of 10
Pros
  • Stylish design
  • Great ride quality
  • Premium interior materials
Cons
  • Fairly pedestrian performance
  • Stereo is lacking
Pros
  • Stylish design
  • Comfortable
  • Easy-to-use technology
Cons
  • Sluggish performance
  • Underwhelming base engine
  • Noisy

2021 Nissan Rogue Reviews Summary

To characterize the all-new 2021 Nissan Rogue as vital to the automaker's success is an understatement. Not only is the compact crossover SUV the best-selling Nissan in America, but it's also one of the best-selling vehicles in America. Strip out pickup trucks, and the Rogue sits near the top of the U.S. sales chart with its primary competitors, the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. Imagine the pressure on Nissan designers, engineers, and product planners as they prepared the current Rogue's replacement! The good news is that the new Rogue is a better SUV in every way but one.

2021 Hyundai Tucson Reviews Summary

It’s no secret that small SUVs are among the most popular new-car segments. You see them everywhere on the road today. Automakers put a lot of pressure on themselves to continually offer the latest and greatest. But that also means even the not-so-new are still terrific vehicles and provide a great value.

Case in point: the 2021 Hyundai Tucson. The current generation of this compact SUV was introduced for the 2016 model year, and this 2021 edition represents the final model year before a new generation is ushered in. So why go with the older model? Because Hyundai has loaded it up with plenty of tech and safety features and it is offered at a competitive price.

No video found
Popular Features & Specs

Engine

2.5L 181 hp I4

Engine

2.0L 161 hp I4

Drive Train

FWD

Drive Train

FWD

Seating Capacity

5

Seating Capacity

5

Horsepower

181 hp @ 6000 rpm

Horsepower

161 hp @ 6200 rpm

MPG City

27

MPG City

23

MPG Highway

35

MPG Highway

28
2021 Nissan Rogue
2021 Nissan Rogue
$26,050MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Hyundai Tucson
2021 Hyundai Tucson
$23,700MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Nissan Rogue
$26,050MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Hyundai Tucson
$23,700MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now

CarGurus highlights

Winning Vehicle Image

According to CarGurus experts, the overall rating for the 2021 Nissan Rogue is 9 out of 10, while the 2021 Hyundai Tucson scores 7.7 out of 10. The Nissan Rogue stands out as the superior choice with higher ratings in performance, technology, and interior design, making it a better-rounded vehicle for those seeking a mix of style, comfort, and tech in a compact SUV.

Overview
MSRP
$26,050
$23,700
Average price
$22,968
$20,259
Listings
Ratings & Reviews
User reviews
4.9
4.8
Expert reviews

9.0 out of 10

Read full review

7.7 out of 10

Read full review
Pros & cons
Pros
  • Stylish design
  • Great ride quality
  • Premium interior materials
Cons
  • Fairly pedestrian performance
  • Stereo is lacking
Pros
  • Stylish design
  • Comfortable
  • Easy-to-use technology
Cons
  • Sluggish performance
  • Underwhelming base engine
  • Noisy
Summary
To characterize the all-new 2021 Nissan Rogue as vital to the automaker's success is an understatement. Not only is the compact crossover SUV the best-selling Nissan in America, but it's also one of the best-selling vehicles in America. Strip out pickup trucks, and the Rogue sits near the top of the U.S. sales chart with its primary competitors, the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. Imagine the pressure on Nissan designers, engineers, and product planners as they prepared the current Rogue's replacement! The good news is that the new Rogue is a better SUV in every way but one.

It’s no secret that small SUVs are among the most popular new-car segments. You see them everywhere on the road today. Automakers put a lot of pressure on themselves to continually offer the latest and greatest. But that also means even the not-so-new are still terrific vehicles and provide a great value.

Case in point: the 2021 Hyundai Tucson. The current generation of this compact SUV was introduced for the 2016 model year, and this 2021 edition represents the final model year before a new generation is ushered in. So why go with the older model? Because Hyundai has loaded it up with plenty of tech and safety features and it is offered at a competitive price.

Video
No video found
Popular Features & Specs
Engine
2.5L 181 hp I4
2.0L 161 hp I4
Drive Train
FWD
FWD
Seating Capacity
5
5
Horsepower
181 hp @ 6000 rpm
161 hp @ 6200 rpm
MPG City
27
23
MPG Highway
35
28
Look and feel
2021 Nissan Rogue
9/10
2021 Hyundai Tucson
8/10

The 2021 Nissan Rogue was updated last year, gaining a more robust and technically inspired aesthetic that seemed more SUV-like. Its appearance was marked by darker gray plastic cladding and assertive styling cues like bold skid plates which gave it a touch of ruggedness, especially prominent on the rear bumper. The Rogue’s design also featured modern LED lighting and a distinctive V-Motion grille, while all trims sported aluminum wheels, adding to its refined yet sporty look. With optional two-tone paint, the Rogue offered a customizable appearance, appealing to those looking for a stylish vehicle.

On the other hand, the 2021 Hyundai Tucson maintained a design that appealed to those preferring a more conventional look in their compact SUV. It featured an upright stance that provided excellent visibility and a modern dashboard that integrated technology seamlessly, making the controls easily accessible and enhancing the vehicle’s overall user-friendliness.

Performance
2021 Nissan Rogue
8/10
2021 Hyundai Tucson
6/10

Sporting a lone 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, the 2021 Nissan Rogue developed 181 horsepower, suitable for daily commuting but somewhat underwhelming for more dynamic driving needs, especially at full capacity in challenging environments like mountain roads. Its all-wheel drive option, increased ground clearance, and new driving modes enhanced its capabilities beyond the urban scape. Fuel economy, at an actual 27.5 mpg during varied driving conditions, fell just short of the EPA estimation.

In contrast, the Hyundai Tucson offered two engines. Its base 2.0-liter engine generated a mere 161 horsepower, which felt sluggish, particularly on highways. A better-performing 2.4-liter engine with 181 horsepower presented a more capable choice and matched the Rogue's power output but still had to work hard under load. However, Tucson's ride struck a balance between comfort and responsiveness, which, while not exciting, provided a dependable everyday driving experience.

Form and function
2021 Nissan Rogue
9/10
2021 Hyundai Tucson
7/10

The 2021 Nissan Rogue notably upgraded its interior with features like “Zero Gravity” seats across multiple trims for enhanced comfort, abundant legroom, and improved cargo space of up to 74.1 cubic feet with rear seats folded. This adjustment in space did not just cater to passenger comfort but extended to practical usability, with thoughtful aspects like rear doors that opened nearly 90 degrees.

Hyundai’s Tucson, while offering slightly less maximum cargo space at 61.9 cubic feet, still presented a functional interior. Front and rear seating provided respectable room, though it was not as spacious as the Rogue, and included several storage solutions conducive to family needs.

Technology
2021 Nissan Rogue
10/10
2021 Hyundai Tucson
8/10

Rogue’s technology suite boasted a competitive edge with an 8-inch touchscreen in basic trims, expanding to a 9-inch display in higher trims, integrated with a navigation system, wireless Apple CarPlay, and premium Bose audio system. Additionally, the Platinum trim pushed luxury, adding a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a generous 10.8-inch head-up display.

The Tucson featured a simpler setup with a standard 7-inch touchscreen or an optional 8-inch in higher trims, both supporting Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Ultimate trim elevated the Tucson’s technological offering slightly but remained a notch below the Rogue's more extensive and advanced features.

Safety
2021 Nissan Rogue
9/10
2021 Hyundai Tucson
8/10

Safety in the Nissan Rogue was emphasized with the inclusion of Nissan Safety Shield 360 across all trims and additional technologies like ProPilot Assist enhancing the driving experience by facilitating smarter, safer handling. Although comprehensive, newer technologies and constant notifications could be somewhat intrusive.

The Tucson also provided substantial safety features, with foundational tech such as automatic emergency braking and forward collision warning standard, and additional features available in higher trims. It performed admirably in safety tests, securing a five-star NHTSA rating and a Top Safety Pick from IIHS.

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By: CarGurus + AI

At CarGurus, our team of experienced automotive writers remain at the heart of our content operation, conducting hands-on car tests and writing insightful guides that are backed by years of industry experience. To complement this, we are harnessing AI to make our content offering more diverse and more helpful to shoppers than ever. To achieve this, our AI systems are based exclusively on CarGurus content, ratings and data, so that what we produce is both unique to CarGurus, and uniquely helpful to car shoppers.

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