2021 Nissan Rogue vs 2022 Mazda CX-30

The 2021 Nissan Rogue showcased a handsome new styling with more technical aesthetics, making it resemble an SUV more than a car. Featuring dark gray plastic cladding on its lower perimeter, bold simulated skid plates, and lower door protection, it conveyed a rugged appearance. Clean LED lighting elements, a prominent V-Motion grille, and excellent proportioning lent the Rogue a modern look. Optional two-tone paint with a black roof treatment provided a custom aesthetic.

Four versions of the Rogue were offered: the entry-level Rogue S, the popular Rogue SV, the luxurious Rogue SL, and the upscale Rogue Platinum. Prices ranged from $25,650 to $35,430, excluding destination charges. A handful of options, including all-wheel drive and Premium packages, were available. The tested Rogue SL featured Almond color leather, a panoramic glass sunroof, and abundant soft-touch surfaces, simulated wood trim, and fabric-wrapped windshield pillars, contributing to a sense of quality. The Platinum trim, with quilted semi-aniline leather, offered a genuinely luxurious experience.

In contrast, the 2022 Mazda CX-30 had a downsized CX-5 look with an upright grille and smooth, flowing fenders, riding on the Mazda3 platform. Its raked windshield acted like a greenhouse on sunny days but showed a slight curve at eye level for taller drivers, potentially distorting road views. The CX-30’s cabin was comfortable and quiet, with solid-sounding controls. Its interior design was one of the best among affordable cars, blending conventional and digital displays. The infotainment screen seamlessly rose from the dashboard, but function took a backseat to form, making it challenging to use.

The CX-30’s trim levels ranged from 2.5 S to Turbo Premium Plus, each offering various features like standard all-wheel drive, 18-inch alloy wheels, and leather-wrapped interiors. The Turbo Premium Plus, the tested model, added front-and-rear parking sensors and other driver assistance features. The problematic console cover design and the solid rear-seat headroom made it less ideal for long drives, but it worked well for shorter trips.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue had a direct-injected 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 181 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque. Despite weighing almost 3,500 pounds, this output was adequate for daily driving. Its continuously variable transmission (CVT) did a decent job leveraging the torque, with programmed ratios making it feel more like a traditional automatic. All-wheel drive, up to 8.2 inches of ground clearance, and new driving modes like Snow and Off-Road, made the Rogue adept at light off-roading.

During a media program, Nissan hinted at the possibility of a future turbocharged engine. In the meantime, switching to Sport mode enhanced driving dynamics. The Rogue SL with front-wheel drive achieved 27.5 mpg on mixed driving routes, slightly below its EPA rating. The architecture enhancements, including 35% high-strength steel, improved ride and handling. The new steering system significantly enhanced the driving experience, offering better steering feel than the previous generation.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 came with a base 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 186 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque. The tested model featured a 2.5-liter turbocharged engine, delivering 227 hp and 310 lb-ft on regular fuel, and up to 250 hp and 320 lb-ft on premium fuel. Power was routed through a six-speed automatic transmission to all four wheels. The turbocharged engine provided decent acceleration, with a Sport mode altering throttle response and shift mapping for a livelier drive.

The CX-30 had a sporty and refined ride, with well-weighted, quick, and precise steering, and minimal body roll in corners. However, it delivered a rough ride over potholes and road imperfections. Despite this, it handled dirt and gravel roads reasonably well.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue featured Zero Gravity seats, designed to enhance comfort by reducing stress on bones and joints. Trim levels varied in upholstery, from cloth in the S trim to premium leather in the Platinum. Heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and heated rear seats were available. While ventilated seats were missing, the Rogue offered standard air conditioning, with higher trims gaining dual or triple-zone systems and rear-seat controls.

Rear-seat headroom and legroom improved, with nearly 90-degree opening rear doors for easier loading. The Rogue accommodated up to three child safety seats and included a rear-seat reminder system. Noise reduction enhancements contributed to a quieter drive. Storage solutions, such as an under-console tray, easily accessible door-panel pockets, and a unique rear-seat cargo area, were practical. The Rogue provided 31.6-36.5 cubic feet of cargo capacity, expandable to 74.1 cubic feet, slightly less than its predecessor but still generous for its class.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 offered 45.2 cubic feet of cargo space with rear seats folded and 20.2 cubic feet with seats in use, average for its segment. The Turbo Premium Plus featured a power rear liftgate. The sliding center console cover had a design flaw, sometimes getting stuck when rear seats were folded. Front-door pockets were spacious for large bottles. Rear seats provided adequate headroom for shorter trips, but longer drives could be tight.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue’s infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto on S trim. Physical knobs and shortcut buttons enhanced usability. Higher trims added NissanConnect Services, a WiFi hotspot, and smart assistant integrations. The SL Premium Package and Platinum included a 9-inch touchscreen with advanced navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay, and a Bose audio system. The Platinum added more advanced features like wireless charging, a digital instrument cluster, and a head-up display.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 featured an elegant dash design with a non-touchscreen infotainment system controlled by a rotary dial and toggle buttons. Inspired by luxury vehicles, the design lacked usability, particularly for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It was tedious to navigate, especially for someone borrowing the car. Despite its problematic design, the infotainment system integrated well into the refined interior.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue came equipped with comprehensive safety features under Nissan Safety Shield 360, including automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. Higher trims included more advanced features like ProPilot Assist with Navi-link technology, improving adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assistance. Although still new, the increased use of high-strength steel and advanced engineering suggested a strong collision protection.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 also offered an extensive suite of safety features, including forward collision avoidance, pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. The Turbo Premium Plus model added blind-spot monitoring, traffic-sign recognition, parking sensors, and a reverse automatic emergency braking. The CX-30 earned top safety scores from NHTSA (5 stars) and IIHS (Top Safety Pick+), confirming its strong safety credentials.