2021 Nissan Rogue vs 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar

The 2021 Nissan Rogue presented a fresh, modern aesthetic with its handsome new styling, which gave it a more SUV-like appearance. The exterior featured dark gray plastic cladding, bold simulated skid plates, and lower door protection, which added a rugged touch, though some might have found the back bumper a bit too audacious. Clean LED lighting elements, a prominent V-Motion grille, and well-proportioned design contributed to its contemporary look. The Rogue offered four trim levels, each with aluminum wheels up to 19 inches in diameter, and optional two-tone paint with a black roof treatment for a custom appearance. The interior of the Rogue SL test vehicle was light and bright, thanks to an Almond color leather interior and a standard panoramic glass sunroof. It emphasized improved roominess with 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 in a clean and logical fashion, and the Platinum trim offered a luxurious look with quilted semi-aniline leather, contrast stitching, and ambient lighting.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar exuded class and elegance, making a statement of wealth and taste. Its design referenced the big Range Rover's tall, tent-like profile, scaled into a sporty package with a long wheelbase, short overhangs, and a trapezoidal roof. The Velar's exterior was a blend of blocky and streamlined elements, with flush door handles and special details like taillight lenses with mirrors for depth illusion. The R-Dynamic trim added bronze accents and a more aggressive front bumper. The interior was sleek, with high-quality materials even in the base trim. The all-black cabin featured lower-grade leather, a soft synthetic material on the dash, and aluminum accents. The polished black center stack was a defining element, and the fit and finish were exemplary. The Velar's three screens, including two touchscreens and a reconfigurable instrument panel, offered sharp graphics and sophisticated design. Upper trims featured extra leather and richer colors, but even the base model reminded drivers of its luxury status.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue, while competent for daily driving, was criticized for its lack of power. It was equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 181 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque, which was adequate but not thrilling. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) did a decent job of managing the available torque, and the SUV offered all-wheel drive, 8.2 inches of ground clearance, and new driving modes for off-road adventures. Despite its limitations, the Rogue's ride and handling were commendable, thanks to a new architecture with 35% high-strength steel, a strut front, multi-link rear suspension, and advanced control systems. The steering was notably improved, providing a better feel and response.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar shared its chassis with the Jaguar F-Pace, offering a lower center of gravity and lighter weight for better handling and braking. The base engine was a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four with 247 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive. The Velar's ride was smooth and controlled, with an optional air suspension providing a plush "magic carpet" experience. The Terrain Response system offered six driving modes, but the Velar's street-focused design limited its off-road capabilities. The optional 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system delivered higher performance, with up to 395 horsepower and 405 pound-feet of torque in the R-Dynamic HSE model. This powertrain offered the high performance expected by luxury buyers while reducing emissions.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue featured improved Zero Gravity seats, offering comfort with cloth upholstery in the S trim and leather in higher trims. The interior was spacious, with generous rear-seat headroom and legroom, and rear doors that opened to nearly 90 degrees for easy access. The Rogue accommodated up to three child safety seats and included a rear-seat reminder system. Nissan reduced interior noise with aerodynamic improvements and acoustic front glass. Storage was practical, with a new electronic shifter freeing up space under the center console and door-panel pockets accommodating large water bottles. The Rogue offered a power rear liftgate and up to 36.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the Divide-N-Hide system.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar had a tighter interior compared to midsize SUVs, with limited headroom and visibility due to its stylish design. Cargo space was modest, with 16 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 49 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Velar's design sacrifices practicality for aesthetics, and it made a critical design error by lacking a discrete parking brake control. The new Pivi Pro infotainment system improved usability, and the Velar offered features like a heated windshield, navigation with traffic detours, and a 360-degree camera system. However, the redesign of critical controls for cost-cutting was frustrating.

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

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar's Pivi Pro infotainment system was surprisingly reliable, with a simplified layout and customizable features. It included a voice assistant, a PM2.5 air filter, and a heated windshield. The navigation system offered traffic detours and commuting directions, while the 4x4 app provided off-road measurements. The instrument panel could display full-width maps and reconfigure gauges, but the driving assist display was less detailed than competitors. Standard features included LED headlights, automatic high beams, and a 12-speaker Meridian stereo.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue prioritized safety with a comprehensive collection of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) under the Nissan Safety Shield 360 umbrella. It included features like automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic alert. The Rogue also had ten airbags, a driver monitoring system, and a rear-seat reminder system. The SV trim added adaptive cruise control with ProPilot Assist, which improved accuracy and smoothness. The SL Premium Package and Platinum trim offered an upgraded ProPilot Assist with Navi-link technology for speed adjustments based on navigation data.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar scored well in the European New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) with a five-star rating. Standard driving assists included forward emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and traffic sign recognition. The Velar also offered optional 360-degree cameras and adaptive cruise control with steering assist.