2022 Nissan Armada vs 2021 Nissan Rogue

The 2021 Nissan Rogue presented a fresh, technical appearance that leaned more towards an SUV aesthetic than a traditional car. Its exterior featured dark gray plastic cladding along the lower perimeter, bold simulated skid plates, and lower door protection, which added a rugged touch, though some might have found the rear bumper a bit too audacious. The Rogue's modern aesthetic was further enhanced by clean LED lighting elements, a prominent V-Motion grille, and well-proportioned design. All trim levels came with aluminum wheels, with sizes reaching up to 19 inches in diameter. The optional two-tone paint with a black roof treatment gave the Rogue a custom look.

The Rogue was available in four versions: the entry-level Rogue S, the popular Rogue SV, the slightly more luxurious Rogue SL, and the top-tier Rogue Platinum, which offered semi-aniline quilted leather and upscale amenities. Factory options included all-wheel drive and Premium option packages for the SV and SL trims. The test vehicle, a Rogue SL, featured an Almond color leather interior and a panoramic glass sunroof, creating a light and spacious cabin. The interior boasted abundant soft-touch surfaces, simulated wood trim, and fabric-wrapped windshield pillars, contributing to a sense of quality. The controls were logically arranged, and the Platinum trim offered a luxurious look with quilted leather, contrast stitching, and ambient lighting. Despite the old-school digital clock appearance of the climate control panel numbers, the Rogue was not technologically outdated, offering wireless Apple CarPlay among its features.

The 2022 Nissan Armada was a large SUV, measuring 208.9 inches in length, 75.8 inches in height, and 79.9 inches in width. Its size was complemented by sculptural details, standard LED lighting, and tasteful chrome accents, including sharp-looking vents on the front fenders. The tailgate featured a large expanse of convex glass and big taillamps. The Armada was available in seven colors, with deep, rich paint and lustrous chrome that gave it a luxury car finish. Wheel sizes varied by trim, with 18-inch wheels on the S and SV models, 20-inch on the SL trim, and 22-inch diamond-cut aluminum-alloy wheels on the Platinum, which filled the wheel arches and added sparkle to the large SUV.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue was powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 181 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque. While adequate for daily driving, the engine struggled with the SUV's nearly 3,500-pound weight, especially in mountainous terrain. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) performed well, with programmed ratios that mimicked a traditional automatic transmission. The Rogue offered all-wheel drive, up to 8.2 inches of ground clearance, and new Snow and Off-Road driving modes, enhancing its off-road capabilities. The test vehicle achieved 27.5 mpg, slightly below the EPA rating. 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, with electric assist moved to the steering rack and a quicker ratio.

The 2022 Nissan Armada featured a robust 5.6-liter V8 engine, delivering 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque. Rear-wheel drive was standard, with four-wheel drive available, both paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission. The Armada's fuel economy was modest, with RWD models rated at 14 mpg city/19 mpg highway/16 mpg combined, and 4WD versions slightly lower. Despite its weight of 5,650 to 6,034 pounds, the Armada could tow up to 8,500 pounds and carry up to eight passengers. The SUV's brakes and suspension provided a controlled ride, even on rough roads. The test vehicle, a 4WD Platinum model, handled well with its 22-inch wheels, absorbing bumps and potholes effectively.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue featured Zero Gravity seat designs, offering comfort with cloth upholstery on the S trim, leatherette on the SV, leather on the SL, and premium leather on the Platinum. Heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and heated rear seats were available on higher trims. The Rogue's interior was spacious, with generous rear-seat headroom and legroom, and rear doors that opened to nearly 90 degrees. The SUV could accommodate up to three child safety seats and featured a rear-seat reminder system. Interior noise was reduced through aerodynamic improvements and acoustic materials. Storage was ample, with a power rear liftgate on most trims and a Divide-N-Hide cargo management system on the SL and Platinum, offering up to 36.5 cubic feet of cargo space.

The 2022 Nissan Armada was designed to transport seven to eight people comfortably. The first row featured bucket seats with power adjustments, while the second row offered a fold-flat bench or captain's chairs. The third row was spacious, with power folding and reclining options. The Armada's interior included nine cupholders, four bottle holders, and numerous storage cubbies. Cargo capacity was impressive, with 16.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 49.9 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 95.4 cubic feet with the second row down. A power liftgate was standard on SL and Platinum models, aiding access to the tall rear opening.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue offered a competitive infotainment package, starting with an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, SiriusXM, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto on the S trim. Higher trims added NissanConnect Services, a WiFi hotspot, and smart assistant integration. The SL Premium Package and Platinum trim featured a 9-inch touchscreen, navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay, and a Bose 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 Nissan Armada came with standard NissanConnect technology, featuring a 12.3-inch touchscreen with split-screen capability. Standard tech included a Wi-Fi hotspot, wireless charging (except on S models), NissanConnect telematics, navigation, and more. The audio system varied by trim, with Bose audio on SL and Platinum models. All models had USB ports, Bluetooth, and smartphone connectivity. Platinum models included a Family Entertainment System with dual monitors and wireless headphones.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue prioritized safety with Nissan Safety Shield 360, offering features like automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. The Rogue included ten airbags, a driver monitoring system, and a rear-seat reminder. ProPilot Assist with adaptive cruise control and lane-centering was standard on the SV trim, with an upgraded version available on higher trims. Crash-test results were unavailable, but the Rogue's high-strength steel architecture suggested strong crash protection.

The 2022 Nissan Armada featured Nissan Safety Shield 360, with high beam assist, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and more. Additional safety systems included adaptive cruise control, intelligent forward collision warning, and an intelligent rear-view mirror. The Armada had multiple airbags and trailer safety features on higher trims. Safety ratings from IIHS and NHTSA were not available.