2021 Nissan Rogue vs 2021 Lincoln Navigator

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, especially on the rear bumper. The clean LED lighting elements, a prominent V-Motion grille, and well-proportioned body gave the Rogue a modern aesthetic. Aluminum wheels up to 19 inches in diameter were standard across all trims, and the optional two-tone paint with a black roof treatment provided a custom look. The Rogue was available in four trims: S, SV, SL, and the new Platinum, each offering varying levels of luxury and amenities. The interior of the Rogue SL test vehicle was light and bright, featuring an Almond color leather interior and a panoramic glass sunroof. The cabin was enhanced with soft-touch surfaces, simulated wood trim, and fabric-wrapped windshield pillars, contributing to a sense of quality. The controls were arranged logically, and the Platinum trim offered quilted semi-aniline leather, contrast stitching, and ambient lighting for a luxurious feel. Despite the retro appearance of the climate control panel numbers, the Rogue was technologically up-to-date with features like wireless Apple CarPlay.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator, on the other hand, was a testament to elegance and understatement, despite its massive size. It shared its side glass and overall footprint with the Ford Expedition but distinguished itself with unique design elements, such as the body-color grille in the Monochromatic Package and the illuminated Lincoln logo. The Navigator's Pristine White exterior, black wheels, and 22-inch wheels made it a standout during winter tests. The interior was equally impressive, with seven color palettes and a focus on finer details. The Slate Gray interior of the test vehicle featured layered wood trim, a floating center console, and a minimalist digital instrument panel. The materials were of high quality, with tight panel gaps, and the Black Label trims offered even more luxurious textures and leather. The Perfect Position seats were a highlight, offering 30 different adjustments for maximum comfort. While the Navigator's ride wasn't as supple as some competitors, its low-end thrust and quiet cabin made it a refined choice for highway driving.

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 struggled with the SUV's nearly 3,500-pound weight, especially in adventurous settings. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) performed well, mimicking a traditional automatic with programmed ratios and paddle shifters. The Rogue offered all-wheel drive, 8.2 inches of ground clearance, and new Snow and Off-Road driving modes, enhancing its off-road capabilities. Despite its power limitations, the Rogue's ride and handling were commendable, thanks to a robust architecture with 35% high-strength steel, a strut front, and multi-link rear suspension. Intelligent Trace Control and Active Ride Control systems further improved ride quality. The standout feature was the new steering system, which provided a dramatically improved feel over the previous generation. The Rogue SL with front-wheel drive achieved 27.5 mpg, slightly below the EPA rating.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator boasted a powerful twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 450 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, provided impressive acceleration and a satisfying sound. The Navigator's 4WD system was smooth and efficient, with a towing capacity of 8,300 pounds for 4WD models and 8,700 pounds for RWD models. However, its fuel economy was poor, averaging in the teens, consistent with the EPA-estimated 17-mpg combined rating. The Navigator's adaptive dampers offered a less refined ride compared to competitors, and the steering and brakes lacked the precision found in the Cadillac Escalade. Despite these shortcomings, the Navigator excelled in highway refinement, with a plush cabin and powerful performance.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue featured improved Zero Gravity seats, offering enhanced comfort across its trims. The S trim had cloth seats with manual adjustments, while the SV added power adjustments and leatherette upholstery. The SL and Platinum trims offered leather and premium leather, respectively. Heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and heated rear seats were available on higher trims. The Rogue's interior was quieter, thanks to aerodynamic improvements and acoustic glass. Storage was practical, with a new electronic shifter freeing up space under the center console. The Rogue offered 31.6 cubic feet of cargo space in the S and SV trims, and up to 36.5 cubic feet with the SL and Platinum trims. Folding the rear seats expanded the cargo capacity to 74.1 cubic feet, making it one of the largest in its class.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator provided ample space, accommodating up to eight passengers with its optional bench seat. The boxy design allowed for generous cargo space, with 19 cubic feet behind the third row, 57 behind the second, and 103 in total. The long-wheelbase Navigator L offered even more storage. The rear glass opened separately from the tailgate, adding convenience. The Navigator Reserve featured heated second-row seats and a three-zone climate system. The front seats were highly adjustable, offering a range of comfort features, including massage programs. Visibility was excellent, but parking was challenging due to its size. The Navigator's interior was luxurious, with high-quality materials and thoughtful design.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue offered a competitive infotainment package, starting with an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, SiriusXM, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto on the S trim. Higher trims added NissanConnect Services, a WiFi hotspot, and integration with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. The SL Premium Package and Platinum trim featured a 9-inch touchscreen, navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay, and a Bose audio system. The Platinum trim also included wireless smartphone charging, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and a 10.8-inch head-up display.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator's technology felt dated compared to competitors. Its 10-inch touchscreen was smaller than the Escalade's advanced displays. The Navigator lacked wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and its cameras were low-resolution. However, the software was intuitive, with fast and accurate voice recognition. The Navigator offered 4G WiFi, wireless charging, and a smartphone app for remote functions. The rear entertainment system included Roku streaming and various connectivity options. While not as advanced as some rivals, the Navigator's technology was functional and user-friendly.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue prioritized safety with a comprehensive suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) under the Nissan Safety Shield 360 umbrella. This included features like automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. The Rogue also had ten airbags, a driver monitoring system, and a rear-seat reminder. The SV trim added adaptive cruise control with ProPilot Assist, which improved accuracy and smoothness. The SL Premium Package and Platinum trim offered an upgraded ProPilot Assist with Navi-link technology. While crash-test results were unavailable, the Rogue's increased use of high-strength steel and engineering improvements suggested strong crash protection.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator received five stars overall from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, with four stars for rollover resistance in 4WD models and three stars in RWD models. It lacked knee airbags but offered optional inflatable rear seat belts. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and auto high beams. Adaptive cruise control was optional, but the Navigator's self-steering capabilities were less advanced than some competitors.