2021 Nissan Rogue vs 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee

The 2021 Nissan Rogue wore a handsome new styling, adopting a more technical appearance that made it look distinctly like an SUV rather than a car. This model featured dark gray plastic cladding around its lower perimeter, with bold simulated skid plates and lower door protection that lent a rugged aura—though some might have found the back bumper somewhat overly audacious.

Clean LED lighting, a prominent V-Motion grille, and proper proportioning gave the Rogue a modern aesthetic. All trim levels came with aluminum wheels, which could be as large as 19 inches in diameter. Optional two-tone paint with a black roof treatment added a more customized appearance.

Four versions of the Rogue were available: the Rogue S ($25,650) as the entry point, the Rogue SV ($27,340) as the most popular trim, the Rogue SL ($32,000) adding some luxury, and the new-for-2021 Rogue Platinum ($35,430) featuring semi-aniline quilted leather and other upscale amenities. An extra $1,095 was required for destination charges on each model.

Factory options included an all-wheel drive for $1,400, and Premium option packages were available for both the SV ($2,660) and SL ($1,320). The test vehicle, a Rogue SL, included the Premium Package, extra-cost paint, floor mats, and a cargo area protection package, totaling $35,195 including destination charges. It sported an Almond color leather interior with a standard panoramic glass sunroof, creating a light and bright ambiance that emphasized the improved roominess. Abundant soft-touch surfaces, appealing simulated wood trim, and fabric-wrapped windshield pillars added a sense of quality. The Platinum trim offered a luxurious edge with its quilted semi-aniline leather, contrast stitching, and ambient lighting.

In the same vein, the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee's timeless style looked fantastic even more than a decade after its debut. It masterfully balanced rugged utility with upscale sophistication, featuring big wheels pushed to the corners under purposely flared fenders. This design contributed significantly to the Grand Cherokee's enduring success.

The Grand Cherokee lineup included several variations: the affordable Laredo and Limited trims, the upscale Overland and Summit trims, and performance models like the SRT and Trackhawk. For serious off-roading, the Trailhawk stood out. The range spanned from around $35,000 to nearly $90,000.

The test vehicle, a Summit trim, was equipped with extras like a 5.7-liter V8 engine, four-wheel drive (4WD), the Platinum Series Group, and the Signature Leather-Wrapped Interior Package, bringing the MSRP to $68,185 including a $1,495 destination charge. The Platinum Series Group added body-color mirror caps, door handles, and a platinum chrome finish, reducing the standard glam and giving the Jeep a more premium look.

Inside, the Grand Cherokee Summit boasted premium leather, genuine wood, real aluminum, and simulated suede for the headliner. The Indigo and Ski Gray color scheme created sharp contrasts through unusual colors. Quilted seat bolsters, a thick-rimmed wood-and-leather steering wheel, and partially digital instrumentation contributed to a luxurious feel. However, the interior showed its age with outdated switchgear, non-flush panel fits, and components that seemed tacked on.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue made do with a single engine: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder producing 181 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 181 pound-feet of torque at 3,600 rpm. With nearly 3,500 pounds to move, this output was merely adequate for daily driving. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) did a decent job of leveraging the available torque and featured programmed ratios for a more traditional automatic feel. Paddle shifters were available, though most drivers wouldn’t use them.

The Rogue offered available all-wheel drive (AWD) and had up to 8.2 inches of ground clearance, with new Snow and Off-Road driving modes enhancing its off-road capability. Despite this, the naturally aspirated 2.5-liter engine felt underpowered, especially in mountainous regions where more power was needed. During a media drive, Nissan hinted at a possible future addition of a turbocharged engine, likely the variable-compression 2.0-liter four-cylinder seen in other models.

Standard driving was feasible in Eco, Standard, and Sport modes. For those waiting for a hybrid, Nissan hinted that a Rogue Hybrid might resurface. The tested Rogue SL with front-wheel-drive averaged 27.5 mpg on mixed road conditions, slightly below the EPA's estimate.

Nissan enhanced the Rogue's ride and handling through a new architecture with 35% high-strength steel content, strut front, and multi-link rear suspension. Intelligent Trace Control and Active Ride Control added to this, and new Vehicle Motion Control anticipated ways to improve the drive. The test vehicle featured 19-inch wheels and 235/55 all-season tires, contributing to a smooth and athletic ride. The standout was the new steering system—more precise due to an electric assist moved to the steering rack and quicker ratio tuning.

On the other hand, the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee came standard with a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 295 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. This engine powered the rear or all four wheels via an excellent eight-speed automatic transmission and could tow up to 6,200 pounds. For those desiring more, Jeep offered a 5.7-liter Hemi V8 with a Quadra-Trac II 4WD system, delivering 360 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque, with best-in-class towing capacity at 7,200 pounds.

The V8 added a satisfying rumble and quicker acceleration but came with a “Fuel Saver” technology reducing cylinder use under light loads, though the EPA combined rating remained low at 17 mpg. A driving test loop yielded 18.2 mpg.

Quadra-Trac II provided a two-speed transfer case, hill-descent control, and Selec-Terrain traction management with Snow, Sand, Mud, Auto, and Rock settings. The Summit trim's Quadra-Lift air suspension offered 4.1 inches of variability, lowering for highway efficiency and raising for off-road clearance from 8.6 inches to 10.8 inches. During tests, the Summit handled trails effectively, providing tools and confidence for adventuring.

For everyday driving, the Grand Cherokee Summit felt speedy and responsive but exhibited a bouncy ride in urban settings. However, it boasted a tight turning radius and reliable braking, with good visibility all around but lacking modern surround-view or forward-view cameras.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue aimed to replicate a neutral spine position with its Zero Gravity seat designs, enhancing comfort by reducing strain. In previous generations, these seats seemed small, but improvements in the 2021 model made them more comfortable. Cloth seats with manual adjustment came standard in the S trim, while higher trims featured leatherette or leather and power adjustments. Optional heated features were available, but ventilated seats were absent—a surprising omission.

The Rogue included standard air conditioning, upgraded to dual-zone automatic climate control in the SV and triple-zone in SL and Platinum trims. Rear passengers enjoyed better headroom and legroom. The nearly 90-degree rear door opening made loading passengers easier. The Rogue also offered rear-seat reminder systems and could accommodate three child safety seats with new center LATCH anchors.

Nissan reduced interior noise through aerodynamic improvements, acoustic front glass, and a thicker dashboard insulator. Storage was well-situated, with a new electronic shifter creating space under the center console, and a split butterfly-style opening for the center armrest.

The Rogue’s cargo capacity varied: 31.6 cubic feet in S and SV models, expanding to 36.5 cubic feet in the SL and Platinum trims with the Divide-N-Hide cargo management system. With the rear seats folded, the maximum volume was 74.1 cubic feet, among the largest in the compact crossover class.

Conversely, the Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit featured supportive, firm seats with eight-way power adjustments and ventilation. The Steering wheel heating controls were integrated into the Uconnect infotainment system, potentially causing distraction compared to physical buttons. Rear passengers found the seats comfortable, though with limited legroom for taller adults and the optional dual seatback screens creating a claustrophobic feeling. Large windows, a panoramic sunroof, and light-colored upholstery helped alleviate the enclosed feeling.

Interior storage was reasonable, though the rear-seat entertainment system occupied most of the center console bin. Practicality could be improved, but useful features like plastic grocery bag hooks were present.

Cargo-wise, the Grand Cherokee provided 36.3 cubic feet of space behind the rear seat with additional bins around the spare tire. The area was well-lit, with a conveniently placed power liftgate button. Folding the second-row seats flat expanded the cargo volume to 68.3 cubic feet, less than the Rogue despite being a midsize SUV.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue included competitive technology. The S trim featured an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, SiriusXM, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. A free six-month Nissan Concierge service trial was standard, with knobs for volume and station tuning. Higher trims added NissanConnect Services, a WiFi hotspot, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant integration.

The SL Premium Package and Rogue Platinum boasted a 9-inch touchscreen, navigation with real-time traffic, wireless Apple CarPlay, enhanced voice recognition, and a Bose premium audio system. This system worked well, despite stubby knobs and small shortcut buttons. Platinum trim also offered wireless smartphone charging, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and a 10.8-inch head-up display.

The outgoing Jeep Grand Cherokee utilized Uconnect 4C with Nav, awaiting the next-gen Uconnect 5 in 2022. Despite its age, Uconnect 4C provided an excellent user experience, fast responses, and clear graphics. Features included navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and a Jeep Skill for Amazon Alexa for voice commands like starting the car remotely.

SiriusXM offered satellite radio with six-month access, Traffic Plus, Travel Link services for five years, and Guardian services for one year, covering remote access, SOS calling, and more. Voice recognition worked surprisingly well for an older system. The Grand Cherokee’s 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system offered an exceptional sound experience.

Overall, the Grand Cherokee focused on essential tech features, possibly appealing to those preferring less digital saturation.

Safety was paramount for the 2021 Nissan Rogue, equipped with the Nissan Safety Shield 360 suite including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection and a blind-spot warning system with rear cross-traffic alert. Ten airbags, a driver monitoring system, and a rear-seat reminder system were standard. Platinum trim added an inter-passenger airbag to limit injury potential. Adaptive cruise control became standard in the Rogue SV with improved ProPilot Assist technology, adding features like lane-centering and upgraded radar and camera accuracy. Higher trims featured enhanced ProPilot Assist with Navi-link, using GPS data to adjust speed.

Crash-test results were unavailable yet, but increased high-strength steel and improved energy deflection predicted good safety outcomes.

In contrast, the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee faced safety challenges. Despite a 5-star overall rating by NHTSA for 4WD models, its performance in IIHS tests was less stellar, especially in small-overlap, frontal-impact collisions scoring "Marginal" for the driver and "Poor" for the passenger. The Grand Cherokee’s standard lighting also scored poorly unless upgraded.

Depending on the Jeep model, numerous safety features were available. The Summit trim included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and automatic high-beam headlights under the ProTech II Package.

The SUV included practical systems like backup cameras with guidance, parking sensors, and ParkSense assistance for parallel and perpendicular spaces. These features maintained a safe following distance and provided easy parking options, proving their usefulness in various driving environments.