2021 Nissan Rogue vs 2021 Kia Sportage

The 2021 Nissan Rogue wore a handsome new styling that leaned towards a more technical appearance, making it look more like an SUV than a car. Dark gray plastic cladding surrounded the Rogue's lower perimeter, accentuated by bold, simulated skid plates and lower door protection that exuded the right amount of ruggedness—perhaps a little too audaciously on the back bumper. Its clean LED lighting elements, prominent V-Motion grille, and well-proportioned dimensions contributed to a modern aesthetic. Every trim level featured aluminum wheels, sized up to 19 inches in diameter, and an optional two-tone paint job with a black roof treatment added a custom flair.

In 2021, the Rogue was available in four versions: the base Rogue S ($25,650), the popular Rogue SV ($27,340), the luxurious Rogue SL ($32,000), and the top-tier Rogue Platinum ($35,430). Subtracting destination charges, all these trim levels had unique characteristics addressed to various consumer needs, with factory options enhancing their features further. Our test vehicle, a Rogue SL, came with extra-cost paint, the Premium Package, floor mats, and a cargo area protection package, totaling $35,195, including destination charges.

The Rogue SL’s interior, featuring an Almond color leather and a panoramic glass sunroof, was light, bright, and notably roomy. Soft-touch surfaces, appealing simulated wood trim, and fabric-wrapped windshield pillars lent a sense of quality. Nissan meticulously organized the controls for a user-friendly experience. Adding contrast stitching, ambient lighting, and quilted semi-aniline leather, the Platinum trim provided a genuinely luxurious feel. However, the quirky, old-school digital clock-like appearance of the climate control panel numbers and the presence of a CD player did not imply outdated tech, as wireless Apple CarPlay was also on the menu.

Meanwhile, the 2021 Kia Sportage sported a design and style described as "Euro-focused," despite the tiger-nose grille and bulbous headlights that some might liken to a frog's face. This two-row crossover SUV, with its short wheelbase and overhangs, was well-suited for city driving. The carried-over headlights from 2020 and the availability of 17-, 18-, or 19-inch wheels offered a variety of stylistic choices.

Inside, the 8-inch touchscreen display served as the centerpiece, flanked by air vents, functional buttons, and knobs for tuning and volume. Two cupholders and the older Kia logo on the steering wheel were additional features. While perhaps lacking the contemporary tech and styling expected from Kia at that stage, the interior remained pleasant for passengers.

Power was a significant aspect where the 2021 Nissan Rogue lagged. Weighing nearly 3,500 pounds, this SUV was powered by a direct-injected 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine generating 181 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 181 pound-feet of torque at 3,600 rpm. Adequate for daily driving, the continuously variable transmission (CVT) efficiently utilized the available torque. Notably, the CVT was well-tuned, making it barely noticeable and mimicking a traditional automatic transmission. Paddle shifters were provided, although their use was likely minimal.

The Rogue aimed to cater to adventurers; it featured an available all-wheel-drive (AWD) system, offering up to 8.2 inches of ground clearance and new Snow and Off-Road driving modes. However, driving in mountainous regions often left the naturally aspirated 2.5-liter engine feeling underpowered. With the expectation of turbocharging for future models hinted by Nissan, a power boost seemed imminent.

Testing the FWD Rogue SL revealed it achieved 27.5 mpg on various road conditions, slightly lower than the EPA rating of 29 mpg. Despite its power limitations, Nissan finely tuned the SUV’s ride and handling. The Rogue employed a new, more robust architecture composed of 35% high-strength steel, strut front, and multi-link rear suspension. Brake-induced Intelligent Trace Control and Active Ride Control systems added to driving satisfaction, while the new Vehicle Motion Control feature anticipated driving inputs to enhance the experience. Combined with the 19-inch wheels and 235/55 all-season tires, the Rogue offered smooth and predictable handling.

A notable improvement came with the Rogue's new electric assist steering system moved from the steering column to the rack, quickening the ratio and significantly improving steering feel compared to previous models.

The 2021 Kia Sportage, available in LX, EX, or SX Turbo trims with both FWD and AWD options, offered diverse drivetrain choices. The 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder engine, standard for LX and EX, provided 181 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque. The standout SX Turbo trim's 2.0-liter turbocharged GDI four-cylinder boasted an impressive 240 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. All versions employed a six-speed automatic transmission.

Fuel economy varied by drivetrain and engine, with the best figures being 23 mpg city, 30 highway, and 26 combined for the FWD 2.4-liter model. AWD configurations and the turbocharged engine saw lower fuel economy numbers.

The McPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension of the Sportage facilitated a smooth ride with minimal body roll. Although steering could improve, and tire grip was less than optimal, the SX Turbo trim particularly excelled in delivering a rewarding driving experience. Enthusiasts seeking a sporty crossover would likely find the Sportage competitive, especially when compared to models like the Mazda CX-5.

Nissan’s Zero Gravity seat designs, inspired by the neutral spine position astronauts adopt in space, aimed to reduce fatigue and muscle strain. Previous generations of the Rogue had less effective versions, but improvements in 2021 led to increased comfort. The Rogue S featured cloth upholstery with a manual driver's height adjuster, while the SV upgraded to an eight-way power-adjusted driver's seat, optionally with leatherette. The SL standard leather upholstery and the Platinum's premium leather offered a luxury experience.

Upgrading through the trims brought additional comforts like Quick Comfort heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and heated rear seats—though ventilated seats remained absent. Standard air conditioning, dual-zone automatic climate control in the SV, and a triple-zone system in higher trims ensured cabin comfort. Rear-seat headroom and legroom were enhanced in the 2021 redesign, with rear doors opening to nearly 90 degrees for easier passenger loading, especially useful for accommodating up to three child safety seats with the new center seat LATCH anchors.

Interior noise reduction measures, including aerodynamic improvements, acoustic front glass, and a thicker dashboard insulator, contributed to a quieter driving experience. Storage solutions such as the center console tray, door-panel pockets for 32-ounce bottles, and the butterfly-style armrest opening enhanced practicality.

Cargo space in the Rogue included 31.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats for S and SV trims, with a Divide-N-Hide system providing 36.5 cubic feet in SL and Platinum trims. A maximum of 74.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded was among the best in its class.

The 2021 Kia Sportage, on the smaller side of the compact crossover segment, still provided commendable interior space. The SX Turbo's 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat and 8-way passenger seat added comfort, along with heated and ventilated seat options. Rear legroom and headroom were adequate, though cargo space fell short. Offering 30.7 cubic feet behind the second row and 60.1 cubic feet total with the rear seats folded, the Sportage lagged behind the Rogue and other compact crossovers in cargo capacity.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue presented a robust infotainment package, starting with an 8-inch touchscreen on the S trim, featuring Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Menu shortcut buttons and knobs for power/volume and station tuning aided usability, though a glossy finish sometimes hindered grip.

Upgrading to SV or SL trims added NissanConnect Services, a WiFi hotspot, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant integration. Features like remote engine start, collision notification, and vehicle alerts came under NissanConnect Services. In the SL Premium Package or Rogue Platinum, an enhanced 9-inch touchscreen, door-to-door navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Bose premium audio system were standard.

For those seeking more tech, the Platinum trim included wireless smartphone charging, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and a 10.8-inch head-up display.

The 2021 Kia Sportage featured an 8-inch touchscreen interface, standard Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, USB ports, and Kia's UVO Link connected services for most trims. The SX Turbo added wireless charging and an eight-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system.

Kia’s tech was intuitive, with logical menus, physical buttons, and convenient knobs, ensuring ease of use. While not groundbreaking, the system was reliable and user-friendly.

Nissan prioritized safety with the 2021 Rogue, equipping it with a comprehensive set of ADAS under the Safety Shield 360 umbrella. This included features like automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection and lane-departure warning, combined with a standout feature—blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic alert, which surpassed many competitors' offerings.

Additionally, the Rogue came with ten airbags, a driver monitoring system, rear-seat reminder, and, uniquely, rear pre-tensioning and load-limiting seat belts, especially enhancing safety in the Platinum trim. From the Rogue SV onwards, ProPilot Assist added adaptive cruise control and lane-centering aid, with an upgraded version available in the SL Premium Package and Rogue Platinum, incorporating Navi-link technology for predictive speed adjustments.

The Rogue’s new architecture, incorporating high-strength steel and safety engineering aimed at better crash deflection, hinted at excellent collision protection, although crash-test results were pending at the time.

On the other hand, the 2021 Kia Sportage excelled in safety with an extensive list of standard ADAS, including forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, automatic high beams, and driver-monitoring system. The SX Turbo added adaptive cruise control, noted for its smooth operation.

Earning the IIHS Top Safety Pick status, thanks to upgraded headlights, and receiving strong ratings in NHTSA crash tests, the Sportage ensured ample safety for all trims.