2021 Nissan Rogue vs 2022 GMC Terrain

The 2021 Nissan Rogue presented a striking new design with a more technical and SUV-like appearance. It featured dark gray plastic cladding along its lower perimeter, bold simulated skid plates, and lower door protection, which added a rugged touch, though perhaps a bit too bold on the rear bumper. The clean LED lighting elements, a prominent V-Motion grille, and well-proportioned body gave the Rogue a modern aesthetic. All trim levels came with aluminum wheels, up to 19 inches in diameter, and the optional two-tone paint with a black roof treatment added a custom look. The interior of the Rogue SL test vehicle was light and bright, thanks to the Almond color leather and panoramic glass sunroof. It emphasized roominess with abundant soft-touch surfaces, appealing simulated wood trim, and fabric-wrapped windshield pillars, lending a sense of quality. The controls were arranged in a clean and logical fashion, and the Platinum trim offered a luxurious feel with quilted semi-aniline leather, contrast stitching, and ambient lighting.

The 2022 GMC Terrain received updates to its front styling, wheel designs, taillights, and interior trim. The new AT4 trim level featured a bolder grille design, black 17-inch alloy wheels with sport-terrain tires, and AT4 badges. The test vehicle came with extra-cost Ebony Twilight metallic paint, a black leather interior, and a host of packages, bringing the MSRP to $41,810. The Terrain's interior was roomy, with power-adjustable front seats, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and dual-zone automatic climate control. The AT4 trim included perforated leather upholstery with caramel-color contrast stitching and piping, adding an upscale touch. The back seat offered ample legroom and foot room, and the Terrain provided numerous storage solutions. However, the quality of materials and execution of details reflected its entry-level status, and the pushbutton transmission controls were not particularly intuitive.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue was powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 181 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 181 pound-feet of torque at 3,600 rpm. While adequate for daily driving, the engine struggled with the SUV's nearly 3,500-pound weight, especially in mountainous areas. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) did a decent job of managing the available torque, and the programmed ratios made it feel more like 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, with a robust architecture composed of 35% high-strength steel, a strut front, and multi-link rear suspension. The new steering system, with electric assist moved to the steering rack and a quickened ratio, significantly improved steering feel.

The 2022 GMC Terrain featured a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 170 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 203 pound-feet of torque between 2,000 and 4,000 rpm. The engine required learning to ride the torque swell for satisfaction, and the nine-speed automatic transmission kept the Terrain in the torque band once rolling. The Terrain AT4 offered 7.9 inches of ground clearance and could switch between FWD and AWD modes, with an Off-Road mode and Hill Descent Control system available. The Terrain's ride was smooth on highways and city streets, but it exhibited more body motion on undulating surfaces. Off-road, the Terrain AT4 struggled with ground clearance, scraping the front end on rough terrain. The sport-terrain tires lacked grip in curves, and the steering was numb and slightly heavy. The Terrain AT4's powertrain met fuel economy expectations, achieving 26.2 mpg on the evaluation loop.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue featured Zero Gravity seat designs, which were comfortable and improved over the previous generation. The Rogue offered cloth, leatherette, and leather upholstery options, with heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and heated rear seats available on higher trims. The interior was quieter, thanks to aerodynamic improvements and acoustic front glass. Storage was well-designed, with a new electronic shifter freeing up space under the center console. The Rogue provided 31.6 cubic feet of cargo space in the S and SV trims, and up to 36.5 cubic feet with the SL and Platinum trims. The maximum cargo volume was 74.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2022 GMC Terrain's interior was roomy, with power-adjustable front seats, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and dual-zone automatic climate control. The AT4 trim featured perforated leather upholstery with caramel-color contrast stitching and piping. The back seat offered ample legroom and foot room, and the Terrain provided numerous storage solutions. Cargo space measured 29.6 cubic feet behind the back seat, with a large storage bin underneath the trunk floor. Folding the rear seat down created 63.3 cubic feet of cargo space, and the front passenger seat could be folded for longer items.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue offered a competitive infotainment package with an 8-inch touchscreen display, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Higher trims added NissanConnect Services, a WiFi hotspot, and Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant integration. The SL Premium Package and Platinum trim included a 9-inch touchscreen, navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay, and a Bose audio system. The Platinum trim also featured wireless smartphone charging, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and a 10.8-inch head-up display.

The 2022 GMC Terrain offered two infotainment systems, with a 7-inch touchscreen on the SLE trim and an 8-inch touchscreen on higher trims. Both systems included Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and GMC Connected Services. The larger screen offered connected navigation and a Bose audio system. The voice recognition system was excellent, accurately responding to various prompts. The Terrain also featured a head-up display, front and rear park assist sensors, a surround-view camera system, and a Tire Fill Alert system.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue came equipped with the Nissan Safety Shield 360, which included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, and a blind-spot warning system with rear cross-traffic alert. The Rogue also featured ten airbags, a driver monitoring system, and a rear-seat reminder system. ProPilot Assist with adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assistance was available on higher trims. The Rogue's architecture used high-strength steel to enhance crash protection.

The 2022 GMC Terrain included the GMC Pro Safety Package, which offered forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. The GMC Pro Safety Plus Package added adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a Safety Alert Seat. The Terrain received mostly "Good" crash-test scores from the IIHS, though it earned a "Marginal" rating in a new side-impact test. The NHTSA had not evaluated the 2022 Terrain's crashworthiness.