2021 Nissan Rogue vs 2022 Acura RDX

The 2021 Nissan Rogue wore handsome new styling with a more technical appearance, making it look more like an SUV than a car. Dark grey plastic cladding covered the Rogue's lower perimeter and bold simulated skid plates. Even the lower door protection conveyed a rugged vibe, perhaps a bit over the top on the back bumper. Clean LED lighting elements and a prominent V-Motion grille gave it a modern aesthetic. Aluminum wheels up to 19 inches and optional two-tone paint with a black roof treatment added a custom look.

Four versions of the Rogue were available: the entry-level Rogue S ($25,650), the popular Rogue SV ($27,340), the semi-luxurious Rogue SL ($32,000), and the top-tier Rogue Platinum ($35,430) with semi-aniline quilted leather. Our test Rogue SL featured extra-cost paint, a panoramic glass sunroof, and a leather Almond-colored interior with soft-touch surfaces, simulated wood trim, and fabric-wrapped windshield pillars. It gave the cabin a sense of quality, accentuated by logically arranged controls. The interior captured a luxurious feel, further elevated in Platinum trim with quilted semi-aniline leather and ambient lighting.

Meanwhile, the 2022 Acura RDX needed a closer inspection to notice its styling changes. Inspired by its sibling MDX, the new RDX showcased tweaks in the grille surround and the front and rear bumper styling. The RDX also received updated wheel designs and paint colors. The limited-production RDX PMC Edition returned with exclusive Long Beach Blue Pearl paint and an Orchid white interior.

The RDX lineup included the base model and option packages such as Technology, A-Spec, Advance, and A-Spec Advance, with prices ranging from $42,300 to $53,300, excluding a $1,045 destination charge. Our test vehicle, equipped with the A-Spec Advance Package, cost $53,645 with its Apex Blue Pearl paint and Orchid interior. It boasted high-quality materials and solid build quality, making every penny spent seem justified. Despite mixed feelings about new vertical air inlets on the front fascia, the RDX demonstrated more stylistic flair than many rivals.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue had a notable criticism: it needed more power. Weighing nearly 3,500 pounds, it housed 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. This performance sufficed for daily driving, with a CVT that worked deceptively well. Ratios programmed to mimic a traditional automatic transmission and paddle shifters enhanced its usability.

Engineered for adventuring, the Rogue offered all-wheel drive (AWD), up to 8.2 inches of ground clearance, and new Snow and Off-Road driving modes. These features made it more capable off the beaten path, but the naturally aspirated 2.5-liter engine still felt underpowered, especially at higher elevations. Although a turbocharged option seemed likely in the future, shifting to Sport mode provided better responsiveness for now, and Eco mode offered a more fuel-efficient drive.

Fuel economy was decent, with our front-wheel-drive Rogue SL achieving 27.5 mpg on mixed roads, just shy of its official EPA rating of 29 mpg. The restructured architecture used 35% high-strength steel, and features like Intelligent Trace Control and Vehicle Motion Control enhanced ride and handling satisfaction. The Rogue’s new steering, with the electric assist moved to the steering rack and a quicker ratio, further improved its driving feel.

Conversely, every 2022 Acura RDX packed a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine yielding a robust 272 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 280 pound-feet of torque between 1,600 and 4,500 rpm. With its quick-spooling turbo, the RDX delivered exceptional driving character. A 10-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters managed power seamlessly, though enhanced sound-deadening measures made the paddles seem less engaging.

The RDX's standard front-wheel drive and available Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system offered performance adaptability. The torque-vectoring SH-AWD system delivered up to 70% of the engine's power to a single rear wheel, enhancing cornering agility on curvy roads. The revised Integrated Dynamics System (IDS) differentiated the driving modes more clearly and re-tuned the adaptive-damping suspension for a smoother Comfort mode and more responsive Sport mode.

The RDX averaged 20.6 mpg on a typical driving loop, short of its EPA rating of 23 mpg. Yet, it shone with solid driving dynamics, comfort, and communicative handling in all driving conditions. It did fall short of qualifying for Acura's Type S badge, making it slightly less thrilling than certain German alternatives but still enjoyable for daily commutes.

Nissan’s 2021 Rogue aimed to replicate a neutral spine position akin to weightlessness through its Zero Gravity seat designs. The new Rogue’s seats, especially the improved Zero Gravity seats, were comfortable regardless of the trim level. Cloth-wrapped seats with manual height adjustment were standard at the S trim, while leather and more adjustments were available higher up the trim ladder. The better-trimmed SL and Platinum levels even came with Quick Comfort heated seats.

The rear-seat room improved significantly, featuring generous headroom and legroom, rear doors opening to nearly 90 degrees, and the capability to accommodate up to three child safety seats. Rear passengers could enjoy standard air conditioning or even a triple-zone automatic climate system in higher trims. Aerodynamic tweaks and thicker glass and insulation kept the cabin noise levels low.

Cargo space was impressive. The Rogue S and SV offered 31.6 cubic feet, while the SL and Platinum enhanced it to 36.5 cubic feet with the Divide-N-Hide system. Notably, the Rogue’s maximum cargo volume of 74.1 cubic feet, when seats were folded down, topped several rivals.

In comparison, the 2022 Acura RDX’s interior showcased sportiness and ample space. Four adults could comfortably travel, sitting beneath a standard panoramic sunroof. The bold positioning of the IDS mode knob and other controls required a learning curve but added to the interior's drama.

Standard 12-way power-adjustable and heated front seats ensured comfort, with ventilation as an option. Though the back seat seemed flat and less supportive, it folded down to maximize cargo space effortlessly. The RDX provided 29.5 cubic feet of cargo space with seats up, expanding to 58.9 cubic feet when down, supplemented by considerable underfloor storage.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue brought a competitive infotainment system. The base S trim featured an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Moving to higher trims added more connectivity options like NissanConnect Services, a WiFi hotspot, and integration with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.

With the SL Premium Package or Rogue Platinum, users gained a 9-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay, real-time traffic navigation, and a Bose premium audio system. The Platinum trim further boasted a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, wireless smartphone charging, and a 10.8-inch head-up display.

For the 2022 Acura RDX, the True Touchpad Interface (TTI) system required adaptation. Its 10.2-inch display interacted with a sectioned touchpad controller that mirrored screen sections, making operation somewhat cumbersome. Nonetheless, newer features like Amazon Alexa Built-in, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto integration mitigated much of the touchpad’s inconvenience.

A wireless charging pad and Wi-Fi hotspot added to its tech credentials. Available sound systems ranged from a basic nine-speaker setup to an impressive 16-speaker ELS Studio 3D surround-sound system in higher trims. The head-up display and overall connectivity rounded off a tech-savvy interior, albeit with a steeper learning curve.

For the 2021 Nissan Rogue, safety was a priority. Every model came with Safety Shield 360, incorporating emergency braking, pedestrian detection, and a crucial blind-spot warning system. Front and rear cross-traffic alerts, ten airbags, and rear-seat reminders were standard. The SV trim introduced the ProPilot Assist driving aid, featuring adaptive cruise control, lane-centering, and a more precise radar and camera system for smoother operation. The upgraded ProPilot Assist with Navi-link technology in higher trims enhanced speed adjustments based on navigation data.

Nissan claimed firsts like rear pre-tensioning and load-limiting seatbelts and offered an inter-seat airbag in the Platinum trim. While crash-test results for the new model were pending, structural improvements and increased use of high-strength steel aimed to boost crash protection.

The 2022 Acura RDX introduced structural upgrades for better side-impact protection and a rear seatbelt reminder system. AcuraWatch, the standard driver-assist suite, now included pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Technology package and higher trims had parking sensors with low-speed automatic braking.

AcuraWatch's adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist offered decent accuracy and smoothness. However, adverse weather conditions could still induce occasional mishaps. The 2022 RDX earned a five-star overall rating from NHTSA, although IIHS ratings for the new model were yet to be confirmed.