2021 Nissan Rogue vs 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser

The 2021 Nissan Rogue presented a fresh, modern aesthetic with its handsome new styling and technical appearance, making it look more like an SUV than a car. Its exterior featured dark gray plastic cladding, bold simulated skid plates, and lower door protection, which added a rugged touch, especially on the back bumper. The clean LED lighting elements, prominent V-Motion grille, and well-proportioned design contributed to its contemporary look. The Rogue offered four trim levels, each with aluminum wheels up to 19 inches in diameter, and optional two-tone paint with a black roof for a custom appearance. The interior of the Rogue SL test vehicle was light and bright, thanks to the Almond color leather and panoramic glass sunroof. It boasted abundant soft-touch surfaces, appealing simulated wood trim, and fabric-wrapped windshield pillars, lending 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.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser, in its final year of the current form, offered a Heritage Edition trim to celebrate its 65th anniversary. The standard spec Land Cruiser, however, arrived in Magnetic Gray paint with plush Terra semi-aniline premium leather upholstery. Its exterior, with giant headlights, taillights, and a blizzard of chrome, lacked character aside from its flared fenders. Inside, the Land Cruiser mixed Toyota parts-bin switchgear with circa-2005 Lexus design themes, contrasting with high-quality materials. The presence of a traditional hand-operated parking brake and a CD player on the dashboard added to its nostalgic feel. Despite its dated appearance, the Land Cruiser's interior was swanky, with plush, premium, perforated leather upholstery covering the tall, wide, supportive seats. The front seats were automatically heated and ventilated, and the wood-and-leather steering wheel was heated, providing a commanding view from the driver's seat.

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 mountainous terrain. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) performed well, with programmed ratios that mimicked a traditional automatic. 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. The tested Rogue SL with front-wheel drive achieved 27.5 mpg, slightly below the EPA rating. The Rogue's ride and handling were commendable, thanks to its robust architecture, strut front, multi-link rear suspension, and advanced control systems. The new steering system, with electric assist moved to the steering rack, provided improved steering feel.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser featured a 5.7-liter V8 engine with 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time four-wheel drive. The engine's roar was hushed, contributing to a refined driving experience, though fuel economy was low at 14.7 mpg. The Land Cruiser's off-road prowess was supported by a Torsen limited-slip differential, mud-and-snow tires, and a full-size spare tire. It also included advanced traction control systems, Multi-Terrain Select, Crawl Control, and Off-Road Turn Assist. The sophisticated suspension system, with KDSS, ensured maximum wheel articulation. On pavement, the Land Cruiser offered a refined ride, though steering required more effort during parking maneuvers. The SUV's towing capacity was rated at 8,100 pounds.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue featured improved Zero Gravity seats, offering comfort across its trim levels. The interior was equipped with standard air conditioning, with higher trims adding dual or triple-zone climate control. Rear-seat headroom and legroom were generous, and the rear doors opened to nearly 90 degrees for easy access. The Rogue accommodated up to three child safety seats and included a rear-seat reminder system. Interior noise was reduced through aerodynamic improvements and acoustic materials. Storage was well-designed, with a new electronic shifter freeing up space under the center console. Cargo capacity ranged from 31.6 to 36.5 cubic feet, with a maximum of 74.1 cubic feet when the rear seats were folded.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser's interior, despite its dated appearance, was luxurious with premium leather upholstery and supportive seats. The front seats were heated and ventilated, and the SUV featured a four-zone automatic climate control system with 28 air vents. The second-row bench seat was roomy and heated, while the third-row seat accommodated adults if the second row slid forward. Cargo space was 16.1 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 41.4 cubic feet with the third row folded. The split clamshell-style liftgate and tailgate provided easy access, and the maximum cargo space was 82.8 cubic feet.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue offered a competitive infotainment package with an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, SiriusXM, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Higher trims added NissanConnect Services, a WiFi hotspot, and smart assistant integration. 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 digital instrument cluster, and a head-up display.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser's technology was reminiscent of a simpler time, with a 9-inch touchscreen that required tapping rather than swiping. It lacked Apple CarPlay and Android Auto but included Siri Eyes Free and a three-month SiriusXM subscription. The dashboard featured large buttons and knobs for easy control. The rear-seat entertainment system was dated, with non-touchscreen displays and limited streaming options. A 14-speaker JBL audio system provided good sound quality.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue prioritized safety with a comprehensive suite of advanced driving assistance systems under the Nissan Safety Shield 360 umbrella. It included features like automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and a blind-spot warning system. The Rogue also had ten airbags, a driver monitoring system, and a rear-seat reminder. ProPilot Assist with adaptive cruise control and lane-centering was standard on higher trims, with an upgraded version available with navigation-linked speed adjustments.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser came with Toyota Safety Sense (TSS-P), offering forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. It also included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safety Connect services. However, it lacked more advanced driving assistance systems like stop-and-go adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assistance.