2021 Nissan Rogue vs 2022 Buick Enclave

The 2021 Nissan Rogue had a striking new design that emphasized its SUV nature rather than looking like a car. With dark gray plastic cladding covering its lower perimeter and bold, simulated skid plates and lower door protection, it conveyed ruggedness—perhaps a bit too audaciously on its back bumper. Clean LED lighting, a prominent V-Motion grille, and well-proportioned body lines provided a modern aesthetic. The option for two-tone paint with a black roof further allowed customization.

It came in four versions: Rogue S ($25,650), Rogue SV ($27,340), Rogue SL ($32,000), and the new-for-2021 Rogue Platinum ($35,430), with an extra $1,095 destination charge for each. Factory options included all-wheel drive for $1,400 and Premium packages for SV ($2,660) and SL ($1,320). The tested model, a Rogue SL, featuring Almond color leather and a panoramic glass sunroof, cost $35,195, including destination. Its interior featured soft-touch surfaces, simulated wood trim, and logically arranged controls. The Platinum trim elevated luxury with quilted semi-aniline leather, contrast stitching, and ambient lighting.

On the other hand, Buick's approach to styling the 2022 Enclave was more conservative, marked by softer lines and practical interiors. However, the brand's vehicle lineup shifted toward SUVs over the past decade, reflecting market trends. The Enclave debuted in 2008 and had a 2018 redesign to enhance its upmarket appeal.

The 2022 model benefited from a mid-cycle refresh with a new grille, headlights, taillights, and wheel designs. The top-tier Avenir trim had unique styling touches and 20-inch wheels. Inside, it offered a restyled center console with push-button gears and upgraded materials throughout. Heated, cooled, and massaging front seats were standard on the Avenir trim, as well as heated second-row captain's chairs. The test vehicle, an Enclave Avenir in Rich Garnet Metallic, featured Ebony perforated leather with attractive accents and a comfortable interior on par with some luxury vehicles.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue needed more power, relying on a direct-injected 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine making 181 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque. While adequate for everyday use, the continuously variable transmission (CVT) did its best to leverage this modest output. The CVT's programmed ratios made it feel more like a traditional automatic, which was a plus. For adventuring, the Rogue offered all-wheel drive, up to 8.2 inches of ground clearance, and new Snow and Off-Road driving modes, though its normally aspirated engine felt underpowered in strenuous conditions.

During our test, the Rogue SL front-wheel-drive achieved 27.5 mpg, slightly below its EPA rating of 29 mpg. The new high-strength steel architecture led to an improved ride and handling, bolstered by Brake-induced Intelligent Trace Control and Active Ride Control systems. Additionally, Vehicle Motion Control improved driving dynamics based on driver inputs. The Rogue's new steering offered dramatically better feedback than its predecessor, enhancing driver confidence and enjoyment.

The 2022 Buick Enclave kept it simpler with a standard 3.6-liter V6 engine delivering 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available for better traction. This powertrain allowed for a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds when properly equipped.

Buick's tradition of a smooth, quiet ride continued in the Enclave, especially with the Avenir Technology package that included premium ride suspension and continuously variable chassis damping. It tackled various terrains effortlessly, absorbing interstate miles, handling country roads, and smoothing inner-city potholes. Though the Enclave weighed over 4,300 pounds, it managed surprisingly good acceleration, aided by the responsive nine-speed automatic. QuietTuning and active noise cancellation further enhanced cabin tranquillity, offering luxury-level comfort.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue featured Zero Gravity seat designs aimed at comfort by mimicking an astronaut's neutral spine position. Improvements in the new Rogue made these seats more comfortable, with cloth wrapping on S trims and leather on the SL. Heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and heated rear seats were available on higher trims. Despite its Nashville headquarters, ventilated seats were not offered. The Rogue's spacious interior benefited from rear air conditioning vents and almost 90-degree opening rear doors, making entry and exit easier. Generous headroom and legroom were highlights, and it had LATCH anchors for three child safety seats and a rear-seat reminder system.

Interior noise was reduced through aerodynamic tweaks and thicker sound insulation. Practical storage solutions included a tray under the center console, large door-panel pockets, and a power rear liftgate with hands-free operation on higher trims. Cargo capacity varied: 31.6 cubic feet for Rogue S and SV, up to 36.5 cubic feet with Divide-N-Hide on the SL and Platinum. Folding the rear seats expanded space to 74.1 cubic feet, among the largest in its segment.

The 2022 Buick Enclave excelled in passenger comfort with easy ingress and egress and excellent visibility. The seats, equipped with eight-way power adjustment and power lumbar, ensured comfort, with Premium and Avenir trims adding massage features. Spaciousness extended across all three rows, accommodating six full-size adults comfortably, with Captain's chairs and versatile flip-and-fold second-row seats improving accessibility to the third row.

In terms of storage, the Enclave offered 23.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 57.7 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a substantial 97.4 cubic feet with all seats down. Our test vehicle had power-folding third-row seats for easy access to this large cargo area. The new push-button transmission gears on the restyled center console facilitated USB port access but raised concerns about potential spills on the electronic shifter components.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue's infotainment started with an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, SiriusXM, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto with the S trim. Additional features like NissanConnect Services, WiFi hotspot, Alexa, and Google integration appeared on higher trims. The SL Premium Package and Platinum added a 9-inch display, navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay, a Bose audio system, and advanced voice recognition. This setup worked well except for the stubby knobs and small buttons. Platinum trim also offered wireless charging, a 12.3-inch digital cluster, and a 10.8-inch head-up display.

Buick's 2022 Enclave provided an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and wireless phone charging on Essence trim. Premium and Avenir added navigation. Pairing two smartphones was seamless, and a WiFi hotspot supported four devices. The 10-speaker Bose system in Premium and Avenir provided significantly better audio than the standard six-speaker setup, though it lacked power for back-seat passengers. Standard SiriusXM 360L and six USB ports (two in each row) ensured connectivity and convenience. Extra features on Premium trim included adaptive cruise control, head-up display, and HD surround vision.

Nissan prioritized safety in the 2021 Rogue with comprehensive advanced driving assistance systems under the Safety Shield 360 umbrella, including automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, and a blind-spot warning system with rear cross-traffic alert. Ten airbags, driver monitoring, and a rear-seat reminder system added to its safety credentials. Platinum trim offered an airbag between the driver and front passenger for additional protection. Adaptive cruise control started with the SV trim as part of the improved ProPilot Assist with lane-centering. The SL Premium Package and Platinum included ProPilot Assist with Navi-link for adaptive speed control on highway curves and off-ramps.

Buick made significant safety updates to the 2022 Enclave, standardizing the Buick Driver Confidence Plus package, which included automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic alert. Additional standard features encompassed a Safety Alert seat, rear-seat reminder, and HD reversing camera. Premium trim added enhanced automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, surround-view camera, and rear pedestrian alert. The Enclave received a four-star rating for rollover resistance from NHTSA and an "Acceptable" score in the updated side-impact test from IIHS.