2021 Nissan Rogue vs 2021 Volkswagen ID.4

The 2021 Nissan Rogue sported a handsome new styling with a more technical appearance, making it look more like an SUV than just a regular car. Its exterior featured dark gray plastic cladding covering the lower perimeter, bold simulated skid plates, and lower door protection, which conveyed a ruggedness that might have been too audacious at the back bumper. Clean LED lighting elements, a significant V-Motion grille, and well-proportioned dimensions lent it a modern aesthetic. All trim levels included aluminum wheels, with sizes up to 19 inches in diameter. Those opting for the two-tone paint with a black roof treatment gave the SUV a customized appearance.

The Rogue was offered in four versions: the base S model at $25,650, the popular SV trim at $27,340, the slightly luxurious SL at $32,000, and the new-for-2021 Platinum at $35,430 that came with semi-aniline quilted leather and other upscale amenities. Our test vehicle was the Rogue SL, which included the Premium Package, extra-cost paint, and additional features, totaling $35,195 with destination charges. The interior, featuring Almond color leather and a panoramic glass sunroof, was light and bright, offering an improved sense of roominess. Enhancements like soft-touch surfaces, simulated wood trim, and fabric-wrapped windshield pillars contributed to a qualitative feel, with the Platinum trim’s quilted leather, contrast stitching, and ambient lighting upping the luxury quotient.

Interestingly, the climate control panel's numbers had a vintage 1980s digital clock appearance, and despite the inclusion of a CD player, the Rogue offered modern tech such as wireless Apple CarPlay.

In contrast, the ID.4 was designed as an EV from scratch, with Volkswagen keen on showcasing its distinctive look. Unlike the gasoline models like the Tiguan and Atlas, the ID.4 had a streamlined profile and wheels pushed to the body’s corners, shedding any pretense of toughness. The ID.4 was part of a series of electric cars on VW’s MEB platform, following the European-market ID.3 hatchback.

However, the ID.4's styling was not drastically different from its hatchback sibling, which might blur the lines for buyers who expect SUV-like styling. Despite this, the ID.4 was spacious and boasted a blend of VW's minimalism and modern smartphone aesthetics. It featured a leather-wrapped steering wheel and cloth seats, with higher trims like the Pro S and 1St Edition offering leatherette upholstery. The interior tech-focused design with piano black and matte plastic finishes provided a contemporary ambiance, though some elements like the gray plastic were reminiscent of older computer monitors.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue, although competent, lacked power. Weighing nearly 3,500 pounds, it relied on a single engine option: a direct-injected 2.5-liter four-cylinder producing 181 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 181 pound-feet of torque at 3,600 rpm. This power was adequate for daily driving, with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that performed decently, barely noticeable thanks to its programmed ratios and steering wheel paddle shifters.

The Rogue aimed to cater to adventurous drives, featuring available all-wheel drive (AWD), up to 8.2 inches of ground clearance, and new Snow and Off-Road driving modes. Still, the 2.5-liter engine lacked punch, especially in high-altitude environments. Although Nissan hinted at a future turbocharged engine option, the current model fell short in performance expectations. The tested Rogue SL with front-wheel drive (FWD) achieved 27.5 mpg on a varied driving loop, slightly below its EPA rating.

Despite the power shortfall, the Rogue excelled in ride and handling, thanks to a robust new architecture comprising 35% high-strength steel and enhanced suspension components. Systems like Brake-induced Intelligent Trace Control and Active Ride Control, along with the debut of Vehicle Motion Control, ensured a smooth and athletic driving experience. The 19-inch wheels with 235/55 all-season tires contributed to its stability and comfort. The standout feature was the improved steering, with electric assist moved to the steering rack and a quickened ratio, significantly enhancing the steering feel.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 launched with a rear-mounted electric motor generating 201 horsepower and 229 pound-feet of torque from an 82-kilowatt-hour battery. It was a notable entry as the first rear-wheel drive (RWD) Volkswagen passenger car in the U.S. since the Beetle, offering a balanced handling experience compared to the mostly front-wheel-drive (FWD) rivals. RWD split the load between steering and driving wheels, making the ID.4 handle well, with instantaneous torque making city driving enjoyable.

The AWD version, arriving later in 2021, increased power output to 295 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque, improving its performance in urban and highway settings. However, the ID.4 remained tuned for comfort over sportiness, with noticeable body roll in corners and a smooth ride over bumps and potholes. AWD provided added traction and power but did not wholly transform the SUV into a sporty performer.

Regenerative braking was less aggressive compared to other EVs, making the vehicle feel more like a traditional car. Even in the enhanced “B” mode, the ID.4 stopped short of offering one-pedal driving, which could disappoint EV enthusiasts but catered well to drivers transitioning from gasoline vehicles.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue's interior was built for comfort, highlighted by Nissan's Zero Gravity seat designs, reputed to replicate the neutral spine position esteemed in outer space. These seats varied in effectiveness across models but were notably comfortable in the new Rogue. The S trim included cloth upholstery and manual driver's height adjuster, the SV came with leatherette and eight-way power adjustment, and the SL featured standard leather. The Platinum trim took it a step further with premium leather. Features like Quick Comfort heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and heated rear seats added to the luxury, although ventilated seats were a notable omission.

Air conditioning was standard, with dual-zone climate control in the SV and triple-zone in SL and Platinum trims. Rear air vents were standard, and higher trims included rear side window sunshades. The rear seat design offered more headroom and legroom, with doors that opened to nearly 90 degrees for easier loading. The rear bench seat could accommodate three child safety seats, thanks to new LATCH anchors.

Noise reduction drew particular focus, with aerodynamic improvements, acoustic front glass, and a thicker dashboard insulator, resulting in a quieter cabin. Abundant storage space included a new electronic shifter freeing up space under the center console and door-panel pockets accommodating 32-ounce bottles. The center armrest had a butterfly-style opening, though the bin was not large.

The Rogue's cargo capacity was generous, with 31.6 cubic feet in the S and SV trims. SL and Platinum trims offered the Divide-N-Hide cargo management system, increasing capacity to 36.5 cubic feet. Folding the rear seat down provided a maximum volume of 74.1 cubic feet, among the largest in the segment.

The ID.4's interior was crossover-like compared to EVs but fell short against gasoline counterparts like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 in terms of rear headroom and legroom. However, the ID.4 provided more front headroom. VW quoted 30.3 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats upright and 64.2 cubic feet when folded, besting EV rivals like the Nissan Leaf, Hyundai Kona Electric, Kia Niro EV, and Chevy Bolt EUV but lagging behind the CR-V and RAV4.

The absence of a frunk aimed to create more cabin space, a decision that seemed justified as the interior felt spacious, though rear visibility was hampered by thick pillars and a small back window. The twist-grip gear selector on the dashboard freed up console space, but the narrow center console was not ideal for larger items.

Heating efficiency in electric cars can be challenging, but the ID.4's standard heated steering wheel and front seats proved effective. The seats were cushioned but lacked thigh support, impacting driver comfort.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue's infotainment system was competitive. The S trim featured an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, SiriusXM, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, along with a six-month trial to Nissan Concierge Personal Assistant. The system included knobs for power/volume and tuning, which, while practical, were hard to grasp. Menu shortcut buttons enhanced usability.

SV and SL trims added NissanConnect Services, a WiFi hotspot, and integration with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. NissanConnect Services offered features like remote engine start, collision notification, and vehicle alerts, with subscription fees post-trial.

The SL Premium Package and Platinum trim upgraded to a 9-inch touchscreen with navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay, improved voice recognition, and a Bose premium audio system. Technology highlights for Platinum trim included wireless smartphone charging, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and a 10.8-inch head-up display.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 came standard with a 10-inch touchscreen (12-inch optional) and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A 5.3-inch display served as the instrument cluster. The ID.4’s haptic touchpads, replacing most physical buttons, were difficult to use without tactile feedback, challenging drivers. The control setup required adaptation for simple tasks.

Volkswagen included a natural-language voice-control system, allowing commands like “I’m cold” to adjust the temperature, though it was a bit slow. ID.Light provided visual cues, like turn indications, adding a high-tech touch, though it was not essential.

Despite these gimmicks, the touchscreen was well-placed, with intuitive graphics and menus, and VW offered the choice between icons and a split-screen.

Nissan emphasized safety in the 2021 Rogue, equipping it with an extensive suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) under the Nissan Safety Shield 360 umbrella. This included features like automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection and lane-departure warning. Notably, it included blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic alert rather than adaptive cruise control, considered more effective.

The Rogue came with ten airbags, a driver monitoring system, and a rear-seat reminder. Platinum trim added an airbag between the driver and front passenger. Adaptive cruise control was standard from SV trim, with an improved ProPilot Assist offering lane-centering and better accuracy. SL Premium and Platinum trims offered ProPilot Assist with Navi-link, using navigation data for speed adjustments.

While crash-test results were unavailable, increased high-strength steel usage and advanced engineering aimed to enhance crash energy deflection.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 earned the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ designation and a five-star NHTSA rating for the RWD variant. The standard suite of driver aids included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control.

New features like Travel Assist and Emergency Assist were standard, with Travel Assist offering smooth lane-centering comparable to Nissan’s ProPilot but less advanced than Chevy’s Super Cruise. Travel Assist performed better in the ID.4 than in a gasoline VW, especially on curves.