2021 Nissan Rogue vs 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer

The 2021 Nissan Rogue wore handsome new styling, giving it a more technical appearance and making it look more like an SUV than a car. Dark gray plastic cladding covered the Rogue's lower perimeter, while bold simulated skid plates and lower door protection conveyed a sense of ruggedness. However, the rear bumper might have struck some as overly audacious.

Clean LED lighting elements, a prominent V-Motion grille, and proper proportioning lent the 2021 Rogue a modern aesthetic. All trim levels came equipped with aluminum wheels sized up to 19 inches in diameter. For those looking for a custom look, an optional two-tone paint with a black roof treatment was available.

The Rogue was offered in four versions: the base model S, the popular SV, the SL with added luxury, and the new-for-2021 Platinum, which featured semi-aniline quilted leather and other upscale amenities. The test vehicle, a Rogue SL, included the Premium Package, extra-cost paint, and a set of floor mats and a cargo area protection package, totaling $35,195, including destination charges.

Inside, the tested Rogue SL featured an Almond color leather interior and a standard panoramic glass sunroof, emphasizing its improved roominess. Soft-touch surfaces, appealing simulated wood trim, and fabric-wrapped windshield pillars contributed to a sense of quality. Controls were arranged logically, and the Platinum trim offered a luxurious ambiance with quilted semi-aniline leather, contrast stitching, and ambient lighting.

One noticeable aspect of the Rogue's interior was the climate control panel, which featured numbers reminiscent of an old-school digital clock from the 1980s. Despite this, the Rogue remained technologically current, offering wireless Apple CarPlay.

In contrast, the 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer balanced good looks with excellent functionality. Chevrolet nailed the proportions, primary character lines, and small details, making the Trailblazer visually appealing. The available black- or white-painted roof options added extra appeal. Even the base L trim looked impressive.

Five versions of the Trailblazer were available: L, LS, LT, Activ, and RS, with pricing ranging from $20,195 to $26,695, plus a $1,195 destination charge. All-wheel-drive (AWD) was available for all trims except the base L. The options for AWD became a bit confusing as it varied by trim level and included upgrades to a larger engine and different transmission for the LS and LT.

The test vehicle, an RS trim with AWD, had a starting price of $28,195, but with options, it totaled $33,000. Given the price, one would be better off with the Trailblazer LT and upgrading based on budget. The cabin of the Trailblazer, though stylish, was filled with hard plastic, which detracted from the overall value.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue's 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine produced 181 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 181 pound-feet of torque at 3,600 rpm. Though adequate for daily driving, the Rogue needed more power, especially at its tested weight of nearly 3,500 pounds. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) performed well, providing a smooth ride and feeling more like a traditional automatic due to programmed ratios and paddle shifters.

With available AWD, up to 8.2 inches of ground clearance, and new Snow and Off-Road driving modes, the Rogue was better suited to off-the-beaten-path adventures, though its naturally aspirated engine felt underpowered in mountainous terrain. During a media program, Nissan hinted at future turbocharging, possibly using the same variable-compression turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder found in the Altima and Infiniti QX50.

Fuel economy for the tested Rogue SL with front-wheel drive (FWD) averaged 27.5 mpg, slightly below the official EPA rating. Despite this, the Rogue's ride and handling were commendable, attributed to its new architecture, intelligent trace control, active ride control, and Vehicle Motion Control systems. The redesigned steering system significantly improved steering feel over previous models.

The 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer featured turbocharged three-cylinder engines. The standard 1.2-liter engine delivered 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, but the larger 1.3-liter engine was preferable, providing 155 horsepower and 174 pound-feet of torque at 1,600 rpm, making the Trailblazer feel sprightly.

The FWD models came with a CVT, while AWD models included a nine-speed automatic transmission and a slightly more sophisticated rear suspension design, improving ride and handling. The test Trailblazer RS trim with AWD, 18-inch aluminum wheels, and all-season tires offered a light, fun-to-drive experience, especially around town and on narrow roads with its Sport driving mode.

However, the Trailblazer was loud inside on freeways, and its suspension could barely handle speed bumps at over 20 mph. Off-road ventures required caution to avoid damaging the underside. Fuel economy for the test vehicle averaged 26.1 mpg, short of the official EPA rating.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue featured Nissan's Zero Gravity seat designs, aimed at reducing fatigue and muscle strain. While their effectiveness varied, the improved Zero Gravity seats in the new Rogue were notably comfortable. Depending on the trim, seats ranged from cloth-wrapped with manual adjustments to premium leather with power adjustments. Heated front and rear seats were available, though ventilated seats were not.

All trim levels came equipped with air conditioning, with dual-zone automatic climate control standard from the SV trim and a triple-zone system included in SL and Platinum trims, allowing rear-seat occupants to control their temperature. The rear seats offered increased headroom and legroom, and the rear doors opened to nearly 90 degrees, making loading passengers easier. The Rogue could accommodate up to three child safety seats and included a rear-seat reminder system to prevent leaving a child behind.

Interior noise was reduced through aerodynamic improvements, acoustic front glass, and a thicker dashboard insulator. Storage solutions were well thought-out, with a new electronic shifter freeing up space under the center console, easily accessible door-panel pockets, and a split butterfly-style center armrest.

Cargo capacity in the Rogue S and SV trims was 31.6 cubic feet, while the SL and Platinum trims offered up to 36.5 cubic feet with the standard Divide-N-Hide cargo management system. The maximum cargo volume with the rear seat folded down was 74.1 cubic feet, among the largest in the class.

The 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer, though small, was highly functional. It could hold four people comfortably and had a 10-way power-adjustable driver seat in the RS trim. The rear seat, though roomy with ample legroom, was shaped flat to ensure a flat load floor when folded down, compromising rear passenger comfort.

The Trailblazer's trunk offered 25.3 cubic feet of cargo capacity, with a load floor that could be positioned in two ways and storage slots on either side. Folding the back seat down provided 54.4 cubic feet of cargo space. The front passenger seat also folded flat, allowing the Trailblazer to carry items up to 8.5 feet long with the tailgate closed, making it highly versatile for cargo needs.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue came with a competitive infotainment package, starting with an 8-inch touchscreen display in the base S trim, including Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. A free six-month trial to Nissan Concierge Personal Assistant was also included.

The SV and SL trims added NissanConnect Services, a WiFi hotspot, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant integration. The SL Premium Package and Platinum trims featured a larger 9-inch touchscreen display, door-to-door navigation with real-time traffic, wireless Apple CarPlay, upgraded voice recognition, and a Bose premium audio system.

The test vehicle's infotainment setup, part of the SL Premium Package, worked well despite the small knobs and shortcut buttons. The voice recognition system was mostly accurate, and the Bose audio components provided good sound quality.

The Platinum trim offered advanced tech features, including wireless smartphone charging, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and a 10.8-inch head-up display.

Similarly, the 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer was equipped with a comprehensive infotainment system featuring a 7-inch or 8-inch touchscreen display, Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay, and wireless Android Auto. Chevrolet Connected Services, including a WiFi hotspot, were ready for activation.

The test vehicle featured the larger touchscreen with Alexa Built-in, access to Spotify, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a 7-speaker Bose premium audio system. Wireless smartphone charging was available.

The Trailblazer’s infotainment system was easy to use, with appealing graphics, a smartphone-style user experience, and a useful voice recognition system. Physical controls included a Home button, Back button, and volume knob, making the system intuitive and straightforward.

Beyond remote engine starting available from the LT trim, the Trailblazer offered a keyless entry keypad system, allowing users to leave the key fob inside the vehicle, lock the doors, and use a code to unlock upon return. A hands-free power tailgate was also available.

Nissan prioritized safety in the 2021 Rogue, equipping every model with a comprehensive array of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) under the Nissan Safety Shield 360 umbrella. This included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection and lane-departure warning, but it notably included a blind-spot warning system with rear cross-traffic alert instead of the more common adaptive cruise control found in competitors.

Every Rogue was equipped with ten airbags, a driver monitoring system, and a rear-seat reminder system. Additionally, a unique rear pre-tensioning and load-limiting seatbelt system was standard. The Platinum trim featured an airbag that deployed between the driver and front passenger.

Adaptive cruise control, included from the SV trim onwards, was part of the ProPilot Assist driving aid, which now featured a lane-centering assistance function. The SL Premium Package and Platinum trim offered an upgraded ProPilot Assist with Navi-link technology, using navigation map data and GPS coordinates to adjust speed for curves, freeway junctions, and ramps.

As of the review, crash-test results for the new Rogue were unavailable, but the vehicle's robust architecture, which included a near doubling of high-strength steel, looked promising for collision protection.

The 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer also emphasized safety with ten airbags and a rear-seat reminder system. Teen Driver technology was standard, offering concerned parents peace of mind.

Chevy Safety Assist, standard on all Trailblazers, included forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and automatic high-beam headlights. Options included blind-spot warning with lane-change assistance, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control.

During testing, the Trailblazer's ADAS performed smoothly and accurately. The Trailblazer earned top crash-test ratings from both the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).