2021 Nissan Rogue vs 2021 Land Rover Range Rover

The 2021 Nissan Rogue presented a fresh, technical appearance that made it look more like an SUV than a car. Its design featured dark gray plastic cladding along the lower perimeter, bold simulated skid plates, and lower door protection, which added a rugged touch, though some might have found the back bumper a bit too audacious. The Rogue's modern aesthetic was further enhanced by clean LED lighting elements, a prominent V-Motion grille, and well-proportioned dimensions. Aluminum wheels, available in sizes up to 19 inches, were standard across all trims, and the optional two-tone paint with a black roof treatment gave the SUV a custom look. The interior of the Rogue SL test vehicle was light and bright, thanks to an Almond color leather interior and a standard panoramic glass sunroof. The cabin featured abundant soft-touch surfaces, appealing simulated wood trim, and fabric-wrapped windshield pillars, lending a sense of quality. The controls were arranged in a clean and logical fashion, and the Platinum trim offered quilted semi-aniline leather, contrast stitching, and ambient lighting for a luxurious feel.

In contrast, the 2021 Land Rover Range Rover had evolved from its rugged origins to become a symbol of luxury. The test vehicle, a HSE Westminster special edition, was priced at $106,715 and featured a modest equipment load. Despite its design approaching a decade in age, the Range Rover maintained a timeless look with hallmark design cues such as blacked-out windshield and roof pillars, large nameplate lettering, and clean styling. The interior exuded luxury with an Ivory-color cabin offering a high-contrast design and a mid-century modern ambiance. However, the InControl Touch Pro Duo dual-screen infotainment technology was not as advanced or intuitive as newer systems, requiring some patience to master. The Range Rover's cabin was a sensory delight, with quality materials and a focus on comfort, though the technology could be a bit challenging to navigate.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue was powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 181 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque. While adequate for daily driving, the engine left something to be desired in terms of power, especially when the SUV was loaded with passengers and gear. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) did a decent job of managing the available torque, and the Rogue's ride and handling were commendable, thanks to a new, more robust architecture composed of 35% high-strength steel. The SUV featured a strut front and multi-link rear suspension, with systems like Brake-induced Intelligent Trace Control and Active Ride Control enhancing the driving experience. The new Vehicle Motion Control system anticipated ways to make the drive more enjoyable based on driver inputs. The Rogue's steering was notably improved, with the electric assist moved to the steering rack and a quicker ratio, resulting in better steering feel.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover offered a range of powertrain choices, including a mild-hybrid turbocharged inline-six engine in the HSE Westminster special edition, delivering 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. The SUV featured a flawless eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive with a two-speed transfer case, ensuring its legendary off-road capabilities. The adaptive air suspension provided a classic wafting sensation, filtering road harshness and making for a smooth ride. However, the steering was relatively slow in response, and the SUV's weight and tall center of gravity contributed to side-to-side wallow on uneven roads. The Range Rover excelled in providing a quiet and comfortable driving experience, though it was best enjoyed at a leisurely pace. The EPA rated the Range Rover at 20 mpg in combined driving, but the test vehicle averaged 18.5 mpg.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue featured improved Zero Gravity seats, offering comfort across all trims. The interior was spacious, with generous rear-seat headroom and legroom, and the rear doors opened to nearly 90 degrees for easy access. The Rogue could accommodate up to three child safety seats, thanks to new LATCH anchors. Nissan focused on reducing interior noise, employing aerodynamic improvements and acoustic front glass. Storage was well-designed, with a new electronic shifter freeing up space under the center console and door-panel pockets accommodating large water bottles. The Rogue offered a power rear liftgate, and the SL and Platinum trims featured a hands-free design. Cargo capacity was generous, with up to 74.1 cubic feet of space when the rear seats were folded.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover's air suspension offered a kneel mode for easier entry and exit, though shorter passengers might have found it challenging to climb aboard. The front seats were decadently comfortable, wrapped in quality leather upholstery, but the second row lacked comfort, with a slouched seating position and limited thigh support. The back seat, however, offered quad-zone climate control and heated and ventilated outboard seating positions. Storage space was limited, with dual glove compartments compensating for the small center-console bin. Luggage volume was also restricted, with a maximum cargo space of 59.8 cubic feet. The Range Rover's clamshell-style tailgate and suspension kneel function aided in loading, but the overall cargo capacity was less than some smaller vehicles.

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. Higher trims added features like NissanConnect Services, a WiFi hotspot, and Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant integration. The SL Premium Package and Rogue Platinum included a larger 9-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay, and a Bose premium audio system. The Platinum trim also featured wireless smartphone charging, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and a 10.8-inch head-up display. The system was user-friendly, though the knobs and buttons could be challenging to use due to their design.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover featured a fully digital instrumentation and infotainment system, rendered using three displays. The InControl Touch Pro Duo system offered numerous features and functions, though it was not entirely intuitive. The dual 10-inch touchscreens could be distracting while driving, and the head-up display was not visible with polarized sunglasses. The Range Rover included a waterproof Activity Key wristband, allowing owners to leave the key fob inside the vehicle during activities. Land Rover also offered an iGuide smartphone app as a digital owner's manual, which could be helpful for navigating the system's complexities.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue came equipped with a comprehensive collection of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) under the Nissan Safety Shield 360 umbrella. This 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 featured ten airbags, a driver monitoring system, and a rear-seat reminder system. The SV trim added adaptive cruise control with ProPilot Assist, which included lane-centering assistance. The SL Premium Package and Rogue Platinum offered an upgraded ProPilot Assist with Navi-link technology, using navigation map data to adjust speed for curves and freeway junctions. The Rogue's safety features were improved over previous models, though some aspects could still behave unpredictably.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover included standard safety features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and front and rear parking sensors. Optional packages added features like adaptive cruise control, blind-spot warning, and a 360-degree surround-view camera. The HSE Westminster Edition included the Drive Pro and Park packages, which worked well, though the adaptive cruise control was slow to respond in certain situations. The Range Rover's safety features were effective and accurate, though the more advanced Driver Assist Pack was not assessed.