2021 Lincoln Nautilus vs 2021 Nissan Rogue

In 2021, the Nissan Rogue sported handsome new styling with a more technical appearance, giving it a solid SUV look rather than a car-like vibe. Its lower perimeter was clad in dark gray plastic, complemented by bold, simulated skid plates and lower door protection. Though these features appeared rugged and audacious, they were pronounced on the back bumper. Trim levels of the Rogue came with clean LED lighting elements, a prominent V-Motion grille, and proper proportioning, lending a modern aesthetic. Aluminum wheels up to 19 inches in diameter were standard, and optional two-tone paint with a black roof treatment gave it a custom look.

Four versions of the Rogue were available: S ($25,650), SV ($27,340), SL ($32,000), and Platinum ($35,430), with semi-aniline quilted leather and other upscale amenities on the Platinum trim. Additional options included all-wheel drive for $1,400 and Premium packages for the SV and SL. Our test vehicle, a Rogue SL, totaled $35,195. Its interior featured an Almond color leather, a panoramic glass sunroof, and attention to quality with soft-touch surfaces, simulated wood trim, and fabric-wrapped windshield pillars. The Platinum trim added luxurious touches like quilted semi-aniline leather and ambient lighting. However, the climate control numbers had an old-school digital look, and despite being technologically advanced with wireless Apple CarPlay, it still offered a CD player.

Meanwhile, the Lincoln Nautilus emerged from its more obscure past when it was known as the Lincoln MKX, sharing a platform with the Ford Edge. Renamed in 2019, the Nautilus adopted more attractive styling. For 2021, the exterior remained unchanged, but the cabin received a sharp new dash design following Lincoln’s attractive design trends, incorporating clean lines, soft materials, and a large, crisp touchscreen. The "Piano Key" shifter-button layout, while unconventional, was user-friendly.

The Nautilus’ standard 13.2-inch SYNC 4 touchscreen system had high-definition graphics, resembling Ford’s SYNC 3 but with a larger and more intuitive interface. The emphasis on usability extended to the trim levels, which included Standard, Reserve, and Black Label. Standard trim boasted a wealth of features, while the Black Label included high-end amenities like 21-inch wheels and a 19-speaker premium stereo system, among others. Our Black Label test vehicle featured 22-way multi-contour massaging front seats and an Alcantara headliner, though adjusting the seats was complicated.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue was equipped with a direct-injected 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 181 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 181 pound-feet of torque at 3,600 rpm. Weighing almost 3,500 pounds, it felt underpowered. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) performed decently and simulated a traditional automatic, enhancing the driving experience. Sport and Eco driving modes added diversity in driving dynamics, although a more powerful turbocharged engine was anticipated for future models. Fuel economy for the FWD Rogue SL was 27.5 mpg, slightly below the official EPA rating.

The Rogue excelled in ride and handling thanks to its new architecture, composed of 35% high-strength steel, and a strut front, multi-link rear suspension. Additional systems like Intelligent Trace Control and Active Ride Control, along with Vehicle Motion Control, contributed to a smooth and predictable drive, highlighted by improved steering.

The 2021 Lincoln Nautilus came standard with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine generating 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, while the optional twin-turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 offered 355 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with AWD standard on the twin-turbo V6. Our Black Label test vehicle with the V6 delivered impressive power, particularly at highway speeds, with a smooth and controlled acceleration that complemented the adaptive suspension. The Nautilus handled corners firmly and remained composed, though it wasn't a sports car.

Despite having a start-stop feature for fuel conservation, its execution caused a slight delay when accelerating. Nevertheless, overall, it was a pleasant driving experience across various scenarios.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue prided itself on comfort and convenience. Its improved Zero Gravity seats, available in various materials across different trims, enhanced comfort. The SL and Platinum trims offered luxury features like Quick Comfort heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and heated rear seats. Climate control ranged from standard air conditioning to tri-zone automatic control in higher trims. Rear-seat amenities included generous headroom and legroom, nearly 90-degree opening rear doors, LATCH anchors for three child seats, and rear side window sunshades on higher trims.

The Rogue’s cargo capacity was notable, with 31.6 cubic feet for S and SV trims and up to 36.5 cubic feet with the Divide-N-Hide system in SL and Platinum trims. The maximum cargo volume was 74.1 cubic feet, making it competitive in the compact crossover SUV segment.

The Lincoln Nautilus, with up to 68.8 cubic feet of cargo space, surpassed competitors like the Lexus RX 350 and Cadillac XT5. With the rear seats in use, it provided 37.2 cubic feet of cargo space. A power liftgate was standard, with hands-free operation available. The Nautilus emphasized two-row comfort, offering ample space and comfort in the rear seats, but the front seats, especially the 22-way multi-contour power-adjustable ones, were the prime spots. The center console and door handles added to the comfort, and the center console bin and deep in-door pockets provided useful storage.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue offered competitive infotainment features starting with an 8-inch touchscreen in the base trim, integrating Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Higher trims added NissanConnect Services, WiFi hotspot, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant integration, and a larger 9-inch touchscreen with door-to-door navigation and wireless Apple CarPlay. The Platinum trim included wireless charging, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and a 10.8-inch head-up display. The voice recognition system and Bose audio system in our test vehicle worked well, although controls were slightly stubby.

The Lincoln Nautilus featured a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system with high-definition graphics and a user-friendly menu layout. It supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto with large icons and straightforward operation. The test vehicle included a wireless charging pad and the Revel 19-speaker premium audio system, which provided excellent sound quality. The emphasis on simplicity and ease of use made the Nautilus’ technology notably user-friendly.

Nissan prioritized safety in the 2021 Rogue, equipping it with the Safety Shield 360 package, which included automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, and a standout blind-spot warning system with rear cross-traffic alert. The Rogue featured ten airbags, a driver monitoring system, a rear-seat reminder system, and rear pre-tensioning and load-limiting seatbelts. ProPilot Assist with adaptive cruise control was standard from the SV trim onwards, with an upgraded version available on higher trims, improving accuracy and smoothness. Although crash-test results were unavailable, the enhanced use of high-strength steel and engineering design underscored its safety.

The Lincoln Nautilus came with the standard CoPilot360 package, featuring automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Additional available safety features included adaptive cruise control, front parking sensors, surround-view parking monitor, and adaptive headlights. However, the backup camera's low quality marred an otherwise comprehensive safety package.