2022 Hyundai Palisade vs 2021 Nissan Rogue

The 2021 Nissan Rogue sported a handsome new styling with a technical appearance, making it look more like a modern SUV than a car. It showcased dark gray plastic cladding around its lower perimeter, bold simulated skid plates, and additional lower door protection, which collectively imparted an aura of ruggedness, albeit somewhat audaciously on its back bumper. The Rogue featured clean LED lighting elements, a prominent V-Motion grille, and proper proportioning that lent it a contemporary aesthetic. All trim levels came with aluminum wheels sized up to 19 inches in diameter, and optional two-tone paint with a black roof treatment offered a custom look.

The available trim levels ranged from the entry-level Rogue S to the luxurious Rogue Platinum, with prices starting at $25,650, plus an additional $1,095 in destination charges. Factory options included all-wheel drive for an extra $1,400 and Premium option packages for both the SV and SL trims. The test vehicle was a Rogue SL with a Premium Package and extra-cost paint, amounting to $35,195, including destination charges.

The interior of the test vehicle featured an Almond-colored leather interior and a standard panoramic glass sunroof, contributing to a light and bright ambiance. There were abundant soft-touch surfaces, appealing simulated wood trim, and fabric-wrapped windshield pillars, lending a sense of quality to the cabin. The controls were arranged cleanly and logically, and the Platinum trim's quilted semi-aniline leather, contrast stitching, and ambient lighting provided a genuinely luxurious feel.

In contrast, the 2022 Hyundai Palisade represented an elegant and striking exterior design. Unlike some earlier Hyundai models that could be criticized for unimaginative designs, the Palisade stood out with distinctive lines, a prominent grille, and crisp shoulder lines. The sculpted wheel arches added visual interest, and a continuous strip of glass surfaces along the tailgate created a floating rear roof impression, rendering the D-pillar invisible from the outside. Pronounced taillights and expressive LED headlights, running lights, and accents contributed to its signature look. Standard 18-inch alloy wheels adorned the SE and SEL models, providing a near-luxury aesthetic.

Inside, the Palisade was similarly elegant and polished. A horizontally arrayed screen (8 inches in SE and SEL models; 10.25 inches in Limited and Calligraphy models) sat atop the center stack. The high-quality materials and finishes adorned every surface, with the second row offering either a roomy bench in the SE (optional in SEL) or captain's chairs in higher trims. The third row provided spacious accommodation for two adults on short rides or three kids comfortably.

Overall, the Palisade was a worthy flagship in design and execution, and the test vehicle, a top-of-the-line Calligraphy model, looked stunning in Steel Graphite paint and black interior combination.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue had a criticism regarding its power; it needed more. The only engine option was a 2.5-liter four-cylinder making 181 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque. Although adequate for daily driving, its nearly 3,500-pound weight made it less energetic. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) performed decently, leveraging available torque and featuring programmed ratios that mimicked a traditional automatic transmission. All-wheel drive was available, along with 8.2 inches of ground clearance and new Snow and Off-Road driving modes, but the naturally aspirated engine felt underpowered in more demanding situations.

Fuel economy for the tested Rogue SL with front-wheel drive resulted in 27.5 mpg on a mixed driving loop, slightly short of its official EPA rating. The Rogue featured a robust architecture composed of 35% high-strength steel, offering a more predictable, smooth, and athletic driving experience. Suspension enhancements like Intelligent Trace Control and Active Ride Control added to the driving satisfaction. The new steering system, relocated electric assist, and quickened ratio significantly improved the steering feel over its predecessor.

On the other hand, the 2022 Hyundai Palisade featured a naturally aspirated 3.8-liter V6 engine, producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, with direct injection and dual variable valve timing for better efficiency. The V6 offered a baritone rumble, an enjoyable engine note often missed in modern vehicles. The Palisade could tow up to 5,000 pounds with trailer brakes and handled well, thanks to its four-wheel independent suspension. Fuel economy was lower than class leaders, with FWD models achieving up to 19 mpg city/26 mpg highway/22 mpg combined and AWD models up to 19 mpg city/24 mpg highway/21 mpg combined.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue had redesigned Zero Gravity seats, significantly enhancing comfort compared to previous models. The base S trim featured cloth upholstery with a manual driver's height adjuster, while higher trims offered leather or premium leather upholstery. Heated front seats, heated rear seats, and a heated steering wheel were available, although ventilated seats were not offered. Air conditioning was standard, with higher trims featuring dual-zone or triple-zone automatic climate control, including rear-seat temperature control. Rear-seat comfort improved with generous legroom, headroom, and nearly 90-degree door openings, facilitating easy passenger and child seat loading.

Cargo capacity in the Rogue varied, with the S and SV trims providing 31.6 cubic feet of cargo space, while the SL and Platinum trims offered up to 36.5 cubic feet with the Divide-N-Hide cargo management system. With the rear seat folded, the maximum cargo volume was 74.1 cubic feet, among the largest in the compact crossover SUV segment.

In contrast, the 2022 Hyundai Palisade provided impressive interior space. The third row offered comfortable seating, easy access, and cupholders. The second-row captain's chairs (or optional bench seat) provided ample legroom and headroom, while various storage solutions were available throughout the cabin. The first row featured abundant storage, including two center console compartments and door panel bottle holders.

Cargo space in the Palisade was generous, with 18.0 cubic feet behind the third row, 45.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 86.4 cubic feet with both the second and third rows folded flat. An underfloor storage compartment added extra space, and roof rails could hold up to 220 pounds of cargo. A shift-by-wire gear selector saved space on the center console, and the overall interior layout was intuitive and user-friendly.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue offered competitive infotainment options, starting with an 8-inch touchscreen display, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, and smartphone integration on the S trim. Higher trims added features like NissanConnect Services, a WiFi hotspot, and voice assistants like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. The SL Premium Package and Rogue Platinum included a larger 9-inch touchscreen, door-to-door navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay, and a Bose premium audio system.

The Platinum trim provided additional technology, including wireless smartphone charging, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and a 10.8-inch head-up display. Overall, the infotainment system worked well, despite minor issues with the control knobs and menu shortcut buttons.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade showcased Hyundai's leadership in automotive technology. The infotainment system varied by trim level, with the base system featuring an 8-inch display and higher trims getting a 10.25-inch touchscreen with a 630-watt Harman Kardon premium audio system. The system included wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, HD Radio, satellite radio, multiple USB ports and power outlets, and a Qi wireless charging pad.

Higher trims featured advanced technology, such as a rear-view monitor with surround view, a head-up display, and Hyundai's Blue Link connected car system, which enabled remote engine start and vehicle monitoring. The digital instrument cluster available on higher trims integrated with turn signals and blind-spot cameras, providing a comprehensive digital experience for the driver.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue prioritized safety with a comprehensive suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) under the Nissan Safety Shield 360 umbrella, including automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, and lane-departure warning. Notably, the Rogue included a blind-spot warning system with rear cross-traffic alert as standard, even on the base trim. The Rogue also featured ten airbags, a driver monitoring system, and a rear-seat reminder system.

Adaptive cruise control was standard on the SV trim, along with an improved ProPilot Assist system offering lane-centering assistance. The SL Premium Package and Rogue Platinum added an upgraded ProPilot Assist with Navi-link technology, which adjusted speed based on navigation data and GPS coordinates. The new Rogue's architecture, incorporating high-strength steel, aimed to improve crash energy deflection, although crash-test results were unavailable at the time of the review.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade boasted an impressive array of standard and optional safety features, contributing to its status as a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA. The Palisade included seven airbags, three-point seat belts, LATCH anchors, active head restraints, power window lock-out, rear child-safety locks, crumple zones, and more.

Active safety features comprised anti-lock braking, electronic stability control, traction control, brake assist, vehicle stability management, tire pressure monitoring, blind-spot collision avoidance, rear cross-traffic collision avoidance, reverse parking distance warning, and more. Higher trims offered additional safety technologies, including a rear occupant alert, Highway Driving Assist, and forward-looking parking sensors.