2021 Nissan Rogue vs 2022 Honda Odyssey

The 2021 Nissan Rogue donned a handsome new styling with a modern SUV-like appearance, characterized by a more technical look. Dark gray plastic cladding accentuated its rugged presence, complemented by bold simulated skid plates and lower door protection—though some might have found these elements a bit too audacious on the rear bumper. Clean LED lighting elements, a prominent V-Motion grille, and well-proportioned aluminum wheels ranging up to 19 inches lent the Rogue a contemporary aesthetic. Additional allure came with the optional two-tone paint, giving the SUV a custom look.

Available in four versions—S, SV, SL, and Platinum—the Rogue offered various levels of luxury and amenities, from quilted semi-aniline leather seats to premium packages. The tested Rogue SL featured an Almond color leather interior, panoramic glass sunroof, and a well-appointed cabin enriched with soft-touch surfaces, simulated wood trim, and fabric-wrapped windshield pillars for a luxurious feel. However, despite modern features like wireless Apple CarPlay and a 1980s-style climate control panel, the Rogue still included a CD player.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey, on its part, provided a more classic minivan design yet managed to retain a sense of style. Its overall proportions followed the Dustbuster-influenced minivan ethos with kinked sliding doors and dramatic hockey-stick character lines. The Elite trim added spiffy dark gray 19-inch aluminum wheels.

Odyssey's lineup featured trims like LX, EX, EX-L, Touring, and Elite, with prices from $33,040 to $48,770. Our test Elite model came packed without any additional options, making it highly inclusive. Starting with EX-L trims, leather upholstery was standard, and overall, the interior represented quality through excellent materials, fit, and finish. Its open-concept layout, low console, and ample storage were functional, although switchgear placement on the center stack required adjustment.

The Odyssey's expansive windshield and low hip point provided an airy feel, and whether navigating through busy streets or parked tight spots, the sliding doors aided convenience significantly.

Back in 2021, the Nissan Rogue left something to be desired in the power department. Its 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine produced 181 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque—adequate for daily driving but insufficient for enthusiasts. Weighing almost 3,500 pounds, the Rogue relied on a CVT that simulated traditional automatic behavior effectively, and paddle shifters on the steering wheel were largely unused.

The Rogue's strength lay in adventuring, with available AWD, 8.2 inches of ground clearance, and modes like Snow and Off-Road. However, high elevation sapped the natural energy of the 2.5-liter engine. Despite no confirmation from Nissan, a turbocharged Rogue seemed likely, potentially sharing the Altima’s 2.0-liter variable-compression turbo engine.

The 2022 Odyssey, harboring a robust 3.5-liter V6 engine delivering 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, had FWD and a refined 10-speed automatic transmission. Unlike its hybrid and AWD-equipped minivan competitors, the Odyssey averaged a combined 22 mpg. While other minivans could achieve better fuel economy, they lacked the driving enjoyment of the Odyssey.

Our test of the Odyssey Elite revealed minor brake issues on prolonged descents due to heated brakes, but overall, the minivan performed commendably across diverse driving conditions. Quick responses, remarkable composure, and adequate power made it enjoyable to drive, although heavily loaded downhill driving did expose some weaknesses.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue excelled in providing comfort with its Zero Gravity seats. Improved over previous generations, these seats, especially with upgrades in higher trims, offered varying levels of comfort from cloth in the S trim to premium leather in the Platinum. Heating features for the front seats, steering wheel, and rear seats, though no ventilation options, enhanced comfort further. A well-designed interior with both dual and triple-zone climate controls, rear sunshades, and near 90-degree rear door openings supported convenience.

Cargo capacity in the Rogue was generous, providing up to 36.5 cubic feet with the Divide-N-Hide system in SL and Platinum trims and reaching 74.1 cubic feet with the rear seats down.

Stepping into the 2022 Honda Odyssey was effortless due to wide-opening doors and an ideal seating height. The Elite trim featured quality leather, power-adjustable seats with heating and ventilation, and tri-zone climate control. Perks like tri-color floor mats and an onboard vacuum cleaner added practical luxury.

The Odyssey's second-row Magic Slide seats could be configured for various needs, from facilitating child care to creating roomy pathways to the third row. The comfortable third-row seats could accommodate adults for extended rides. Cargo space outshone many crossovers: 32.8 cubic feet behind the third row, 88.8 cubic feet with it folded, and a cavernous 144.9 cubic feet when the second row was removed. Despite heavy seats, this spaciousness was a significant advantage.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue’s infotainment package was competitive. The base S trim included an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and more. Higher trims added features like NissanConnect Services, WiFi, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant integration. Premium options included a 9-inch touchscreen with real-time traffic navigation, a Bose audio system, and wireless Apple CarPlay.

Meanwhile, the 2022 Honda Odyssey Elite packed extensive technology but lagged behind in excitement. It provided an 8-inch touchscreen starting from the EX trim, leading up to navigation and HondaLink services in the Touring and Elite trims. Unique features like CabinWatch and CabinTalk enhanced in-vehicle interaction. Despite these, the single 10.2-inch rear-seat entertainment system felt outdated. Though the Odyssey boasted a premium 11-speaker audio system, improvements in size and usability, such as larger screens and more intuitive controls, were necessary.

Safety was pivotal for the 2021 Nissan Rogue. Equipped with Nissan Safety Shield 360, even base models boasted features like automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection. Uniquely, blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic alert was standard, whereas adaptive cruise control began at the SV trim along with the upgraded ProPilot Assist, which showed significant improvements over the previous generation. With ten airbags and rear pre-tensioning seatbelts, the Rogue aimed high for occupant protection. Crash-test ratings weren’t available at the time, but the robust build and advanced safety features were promising.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey also emphasized safety, packing Honda Sensing on all trims. This suite included adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and pedestrian detection, among other features. However, refinement was lacking, with occasional false alarms and delayed responses. The positioning of the blind-spot monitoring light was less intuitive, and timely warnings felt insufficient. Despite these quirks, Honda's dedication to safety was underscored by the Odyssey’s five-star NHTSA rating and IIHS’s Top Safety Pick+ certification.